岡山県·特産品
Shinjo Village Gama-zaiku
In the mountains of the north, there exists a simple craft born from winter handiwork. This is 'Gama-zaiku,' passed down in Shinjo Village. It is a traditional craft woven using the leaves of the lesser bulrush, a type of gama (cattail), with a history said to date back long ago. The lightweight, water-resistant, and flexible material once supported daily life as carrying baskets for mountain work and as floor mats. A charming feature is how the material changes to an amber color the more it is woven, deepening its character alongside its user. Inherited in the Maniwa and Hiruzen regions of northern Okayama Prefecture, it is still carefully crafted today as handwork during the agricultural off-season. Each piece—from sandals to flower vases and baskets—is unique. When you hold one in your hands, you can gently feel the warmth nurtured by life in this mountain village.
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