Tanaka Hat Shop Boater Hat Marin/f

The popular boater hat, now with a finer material for a more sophisticated adult style.

The boater hat is a classic women's hat. It's a timeless design loved by all ages, a staple in any summer wardrobe.

This "Maran" boater hat is crafted from a slightly finer material and stands 9cm tall, designed for adults who want a secure and stylish fit.

The charm of a simple ribbon that suits any outfit.

Crafted from fine straw, this hat showcases the artisan's handiwork, exuding an air of elegance.
Whether worn securely or tilted casually, the styling is entirely up to you.

With its natural feel and simple design, it's not limited to casual outfits like T-shirts and jeans; it also complements dresses made of linen and other materials.
Its charm lies in its versatility, suitable for both city and resort settings.

Founded 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 Tanaka Hat Shop is a long-established company among them, 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, and each hat is meticulously sewn in a circular pattern by artisans, layer by layer.

Natural straw is breathable and perfect for sun protection, making it an essential summer hat.
At Tanaka Hat Shop, popular straw hats for all genders and generations are still carefully handcrafted one by one using traditional methods.

Sewing that tests an artisan's intuition

Straw braid, softened by soaking in water, is sewn using a hat-making machine.
Starting from the "vortex" or "crown" of the hat, it is sewn in concentric circles.

The artisans carefully sew, periodically checking the size with a hat block.
The finer the material, the more difficult the sewing, and only skilled artisans can create a beautiful shape.
Hats sewn with highly skilled techniques not only look beautiful but also offer exceptional comfort.

A local winter tradition: cold drying

Straw hats are sewn from autumn to winter in preparation for the following spring.
After soaking the material in water to soften it, the sewn straw hats are then sun-dried.

This process is often carried out during the cold, dry winter months, hence it is called "kanboshi" (cold drying), and the sight of straw hats lined up across the ground has become a "seasonal tradition" in Kasukabe City.

Molding that gives individuality to a hat

Using a dedicated molding machine equipped with a mold, the hat is pressed and shaped with water pressure.
Depending on the design, the crown and brim may be formed separately by combining different wooden molds and hand-steaming each one.
With numerous molds available, it is possible to create various hat designs by combining them.

Embellishment

After molding, sweatbands and ribbons are added as embellishments.
Everything is done by hand, with artisans meticulously sewing on each accent ribbon.

Finishing

For the finishing touch, fine straw "frays" are removed.
Straw braid sometimes has peels on its surface or sprouts sticking out when the straw is woven.

If worn as is, it can feel prickly and detract from comfort.
For the wearer's sake, artisans gently rub the hat with their palms to cut off each of these imperfections.
This reflects the artisan's thoughtfulness for the wearer.