Tengai-gasa (Monk Hat)

Tengai (komusou or komuso) is woven straw kasa (hat) also known as a Komuso-gasa because it was worn specifically by Komusō monk.  The tengai-gasa resembled an overturned basket with special eye slits.  The tengai-gasa  not only provided protection from the sun and dust, while on the road but full hid the identity of the wearer. This was important for the Komuso monk, because their Komusō-gasa “removed the ego of the wearer”. The Shogunate granted the komusō the rare privilege to freely travel the country without hindrance.  It is a common belief that the Komusō were acting as spies or shinobi (ninja) under their employee.  With their full access to villages and cities, the shogunate could receive first-hand information about conditions in the provinces, and allowed possible safer travel for known samurai, retainers or ronin wanting to travel discreetly.

Our tengai-gasa / Komusō-gasa are hand woven and shipped directly from Japan.  Although the straw weaved kasa is fairly basic, the size makes transportation more costly to, which is the reason for the low price but high freight cost.  Because it sent directly from Japan, we cannot add other items with it, so it will be packed independent from your other items (if ordered).  This is a handmade item and has the average / approximate size: W12.9 x H13.3(in) / W33 x H34(cm).  Traditionally handcrafted in Japan, please allow 30 to 45 days for crafting and shipping of this item.

Reference: Wikipedia