Tanaka Hat Store Berka Boater Hat

Berka - Berka - Oni-Mugi Single Long-Brim Boater Hat

A boater hat made from roughly woven oni-mugi straw.
A classic unisex hat finished with a wide ribbon.




A boater hat with an eye-catching classic wide ribbon

This hat uses "oni-mugi" straw, which is different from regular straw.

We used this roughly textured, unique straw to create a boater hat with a long brim.
The 10cm wide ribbon makes a statement that matches the hat's distinctive character.
It's a classic unisex boater hat with a strong presence.



The unusual texture captures the eye

We named it "oni-mugi" (demon straw) because it is rough and jagged like a demon's teeth.
Oni-mugi is a precious material made from "straw" but woven in a different way than regular Sanada braid.

Its characteristic is that the Sanada braid itself is jagged and coarse like teeth.
Unlike regular flat straw Sanada braid, it has a textured, uneven feel,
giving it a rustic, handcrafted appearance.






"Straw" material with excellent breathability, ideal for sun protection

We use "straw Sanada" as our material, which is made by hand-braiding seven straw stalks into one.
While straw hats cannot be folded, making them somewhat inconvenient to carry, they offer many unique charms.







It offers the unique texture and coolness of natural materials. Straw shimmers slightly when exposed to sunlight. This is a unique characteristic of straw, not found in artificial materials.

Its coolness is proven by the fact that many farmers still use it. The fibers of the stalks themselves contain countless invisible holes, which, after drying, are thought to act as air vents. Additionally, because it is a slightly firm material, even a long brim does not easily droop, making it useful for sun protection.





Established in 1880 - A long-established company with over 100 years of history

Straw hats are a traditional craft of Kasukabe City, Saitama Prefecture.
Currently, there are few factories in Japan that can mass-produce them, and among them, Tanaka Hat Shop is a long-established company boasting over 100 years of history and tradition.

Straw hats are made using a unique sewing method where seven strands of straw are woven into one material, and then each hat is meticulously sewn in concentric circles by craftsmen.

"Straw," a natural material, is breathable and ideal for sun protection, making it an indispensable hat for summer.
At Tanaka Hat Shop, we continue to meticulously handcraft each popular straw hat for all genders and generations using traditional methods.

Adjustable adjuster

A hook-and-loop fastener is installed inside the sweatband, allowing for size adjustment by pulling the fastener.
The adjustment range allows the hat to be made approximately 1.5cm smaller than the indicated size.
Even for those who don't need adjustment, it's useful for fine-tuning on windy days.





COLOR



Natural × Black Ribbon




Natural × White Ribbon
















Sewing that tests the craftsman's intuition

Straw braid, softened by soaking it in water, is sewn with a hat-making sewing machine.
Starting from the "vortex," the crown of the hat, it is sewn by layering in a circular fashion.

The craftsman carefully sews while occasionally checking the size with a hat block.
The thinner the material, the more difficult the sewing becomes, and only skilled craftsmen can create beautiful shapes.
Hats sewn with highly skilled techniques are not only beautiful but also extremely comfortable to wear.

Kanhoshi, a local seasonal tradition

Straw hats are sewn from autumn to winter for the coming spring.
After the material is softened by soaking it in water for sewing, the finished straw hats are sun-dried.

This process is often carried out during the cold, dry winter months, hence it is called "Kanhoshi" (cold drying), and the straw hats laid out across the ground have become a "seasonal tradition" of Kasukabe City.

Shaping to give the hat character

Using a dedicated shaping machine with a metal mold, the hat is pressed and shaped by water pressure.
Depending on the design, the crown and brim may be formed separately by hand-steaming using different wooden molds.
With a wide variety of molds, it is possible to create hats of various designs by combining them.

Decoration

After shaping, decorations such as sweatbands and ribbons are applied.
Everything is done by hand, and the ribbons, which serve as accents, are carefully sewn on one by one by skilled craftsmen.

Finishing

Finally, fine straw "frays" are removed.
When straw braid is woven, the surface skin may peel off or the sprout parts may stick out.

If worn as is, it would feel prickly and uncomfortable.
For the wearer's comfort, these are cut one by one by rubbing the hat with the palm of the hand.
This is a craftsman's thoughtfulness for the wearer.