新潟県·工芸品
Sekikawa Village's Neko Chigura (Cat Basket)
A small castle for cats, woven from rice straw. Passed down in Sekikawa Village, the Neko Chigura is a folk craft woven exclusively from Koshikari rice straw. It is said to have originated from adapting 'tsugura,' a straw tool used for holding babies, for use by cats. Each piece is hand-woven by artisans; larger versions use over 20 bundles of straw and take approximately one week to complete. With excellent breathability and heat retention, it provides an ideal habitat that stays cool in summer and warm in winter. Due to the adorable sight of cats curled up inside, orders continue to pour in from all over the country. At the village's roadside station, you can observe demonstrations of the production process and experience the warmth of this craftsmanship up close.
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