My hometown "FUKUOKA" is famous for sedge hats.We call it "suge-gasa"
Suge-gasa has many types. From a small one 5 centimeters in diameter to a large one 150 centimeters in diameter.
The history of suge-gasa is very old. About more than 400 years ago, people started making them. The climate of Fukuoka was suitable for growing sedge. And in winter, they couldn't do any other job because of much snow. So how to make suge-gasa spread quickly in Fukuoka.They are shipped to Kyoto, Nara,Tokyo and Suge-gasa of Fukuoka-machi hold a share of more than 90%.
The material of suge-gasa "sedge" is grown in a field. It looks like a rice field. When it has grown to 70 or 80 cm, we cut and dry them. After drying, we start making suge-gesa.
Now people hardly wear suge-gasa. But, lately, several new type of Suge-gasa are on the market. And a part of a class of traditional handicrafts, elementary school students learn how to make it from artisan and they also learn a traditional round dance "Suge-gasa Ondo" Even if few people wear Suge-gasa now, the tradition will be handed down from generation to generation.