Tsuzura hat, Minakuchi Handicraft

Munakuchi handiwork is commonly presented in encyclopedias and other references on the culture, customs and events from the late Edo period. According to these sources, it appears that tsuzura hats were particularly popularly used by women during the middle of the 17th century. In addition, men’s tsuzura hats were a great hit during the middle of the 19th century. There is also the anecdote about how tsutsura soldier’s hats (with a family crest and black lacquer on the outside and vermillion-lacquered on the inside) were valued for the lightweight when walking up a castle, and that for a time an overwhelming amount of orders were made for these hats to be produced and delivered from Munakuchi to Edo.