I have a feeling we like to think the grass is always greener on the other side. It only looks like it and it depends what one sees as " greener".
I walked the streets of Kyoto and Tokyo to find anything to do with hats.
I found this place in Tokyo and it has a number of basic things you might want if you make hats. They seem to cater to people also who have no hat blocks and they rent them out for $50 overnight.
The blocks seam hard wood and are quit basic
Feathers seam quite expensive to me. I saw an ostrich now for a lot of money. I think it was around $60 for one plume. Well, maybe Torb and Reiner is too cheap!
There are wonderful flower making tools of course. The land of little things and beautiful flowers need them. There are 2 types. Brass made in Japan and stainless steel made in China. The brass is better of course.
Staring price around $5 a piece going up to about $20
What was a bit exciting to me was that they have esparterie lacker. What depressed me is that you can not fly with it.
what does one use it for you may ask? Well, you paint the esparterie blocks once they are made to harden them and you do this in 2-3 layers and in the end iron it.
Flammable and can not be posted
There are many straws and felt to be had and the colours are quite conservative. Nothing jumped out at me. They sell Leno which is great to see that there are skills used in other countries which are almost a forgotten skill and material.
Leno in black and white . Torb and Rwiner carries it too
The flower making tools for large flowers are stunning. You can order them. Made in Japan off course for a sweet $950. Xmas present maybe
Brass flower and aluminium base. Very heavy
The felts are imported and most of them are velour felts. Must say I saw a lot of wool too. Not sure who buys the hats as I do not see them being worn in the street
Now, this device is super cool and I bought one for the shop. Measures the head perfectly and gives you a feeling of a hat on your head.
Torb and Reiner might have to import them.
You can buy of course ready plastic peaks as a pattern. You can make them yourself in all sorts of sizes and not expensive. $10 or so but you could cut your pattern out of an ice cream lid π
The quality of straws varies greatly. Also here one day the old stock will go down as no one weaves fine quality anymore. Many people I have been told also do not care about fine straws as they are too expensive and they don't really see the need for it. I met a beautiful milliner from Oska who was a wealth of knowledge and insight into a culture for me. You can buy straws for around $90 and some cheaper.
My first visit to Japan was amazing. I feel Nothing but warmth for the people and places and not once did I feel crowed in. I was in tears many times for the generosity I was shown and feel humbled for being allowed to share my skills.
This without a doubt feels like the beginning of a long love relationship.
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