Kasa (hat)

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This display case at Gifu Castle shows many kasa.
This display case at Gifu Castle shows many kasa.

A kasa (笠?) is any of several sorts of traditional hats of Japan. When preceded by a word specifying the type of hat, the word becomes gasa (see Rendaku). One kind of kasa for Buddhist monks is made overly large in a bowl or mushroomed shape, from woven rice straw. It does not come to a point like a rice farmer's hat, nor ride high on the head like a samurai's traveling hat. It is just a big hat covering from upper half to two thirds of the face. Thus, it helps mask the identity of the monk and allows him to travel undistracted by sights around him on his journey.

[edit] Types

Here is a list of several types of kasa:

  • Amigasa
  • Fukaamigasa
  • Jingasa
  • Sandogasa
  • Sugegasa (see Conical straw hat)
  • Torioigasa
  • Takuhatsugasa
  • Yagyūgasa


[edit] Gallery

A Buddhist monk wearing a takuhatsugasa.

The hat in this print is a fukaamigasa of the sort known as tengai (天蓋), worn by komusō, mendicant monks of Fuke Zen.

These women at the Awa Dance Festival wear the characteristic kasa of the dance.

[edit] External links

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