I know nothing about Taiwan or japani culture. Your description about mixed culture of Taiwan and Japan take me to my childhood.I used to live in a village in India,father of mixed cultures.22 languages are spoken but number of communities is greater that it.
When I was in village I myself made this kind of matress with straw of rice plant but in city those memories has faded up.But those handcrafts are still available in the market but people of cities will never know how hardwork and emotion is there behind it.
Your article is nostalgic.I always love knowing different cultures; thanks for sharing it dude.