～Mino: The Straw Raincoat～
photo of a Mino-boushi
information
This was a traditional item used by people in the past, serving the exact same purpose as a modern raincoat. Since plastic or nylon rain gear did not exist back then, people protected themselves from the rain using plants that were readily available to them.
It was made by weaving straw and shaped like a cape worn over the shoulders. It looks somewhat fluffy and spiky.
It was woven with many layers of straw pointing downward, therefore, raindrops would smoothly slide down the surface, preventing water from seeping inside. It was not only lightweight and easy to move in, but it also worked well as winter outerwear to keep out the cold.
Since there is a lot of air trapped between the pieces of straw, it blocked cold winter winds and kept body heat from escaping. For this reason, farmers in snowy regions also used it to shield themselves from the snow.
