The Toyooka Municipal Kinosaki Straw Crafts Museum is located in the Kinosaki Onsen hot spring district of Toyooka City, Hyogo Prefecture. The museum was established to preserve and pass on the techniques of Kinosaki mugiwara zaiku, a traditional craft made from colored wheat straw, and to protect and display its remarkable works.
The museum occupies a traditional Japanese earthen-walled storehouse, retaining the building’s original white walls and nostalgic atmosphere. Inside, visitors can admire approximately 200 historical pieces dating from the Meiji and Taisho periods through the early Showa period, along with around 40 contemporary works. The building itself is an important part of the experience, offering a glimpse into traditional Japanese architecture as well as local craftsmanship.
The origins of Kinosaki straw crafts date back approximately 280 years to the Edo period. According to tradition, a craftsman named Hanshichi from Inshu, present-day Tottori Prefecture, came to Kinosaki to take the waters. To help cover his lodging expenses, he decorated bamboo flutes, spinning tops, and other small objects with colored wheat straw and sold them outside his inn.
The craft gradually developed alongside the history of Kinosaki Onsen and became a distinctive local tradition. For generations, artisans have carefully passed down the techniques, creating decorative objects celebrated for their beauty, precision, and intricate designs.
Kinosaki straw crafts are made from barley or wheat straw and are prized for their silky-smooth texture and elegant sheen. Artisans transform the natural luster of the straw into decorative items such as paulownia wood boxes, decorative paper boards, chopstick rests, and pendants.
The craft is designated as a Traditional Craft of Hyogo Prefecture and an Intangible Cultural Property of Toyooka City. Its distinctive appeal lies in the way the straw’s natural shine is combined with delicate patterns and geometric designs, all produced through painstaking handwork and highly developed techniques.
The museum displays approximately 200 historical pieces dating from the Edo period through the early Showa period, as well as around 40 works by contemporary artisans. These collections provide valuable insight into the development of Kinosaki straw crafts and allow visitors to appreciate the fine details of the workmanship at close range.
The traditional storehouse setting enhances the atmosphere, making the visit feel like a journey into the region’s artistic heritage. The combination of historic objects, contemporary creations, and traditional architecture offers a deeper understanding of this distinctive local craft.
Visitors can also experience making their own straw crafts under the guidance of experienced artisans. These hands-on activities are offered at Kamiya Mingei, a folk-art shop, where participants can create an original piece to take home. The experience makes a memorable souvenir and offers a practical introduction to a traditional Japanese art form.
Producing Kinosaki straw crafts involves numerous time-consuming steps, beginning with the cultivation and collection of the raw material. Artisans may obtain straw from local farmers or grow it themselves by sowing seeds in their own fields.
After harvesting, the straw is cut by hand and fumigated with sulfur before being dried. The joints are then removed, and the straw is boiled in water containing baking soda. Finally, it is dyed with chemical colorants to create the vivid shades required for decorative work. Only after these careful preparations is the straw ready to be used in crafting.
Two principal techniques are used in Kinosaki straw crafts: pattern inlay and fine-line decoration.
Pattern inlay involves creating images of flowers, birds, people, and other subjects by cutting pieces of straw into precise shapes and applying them to a surface using an inlay-like technique. Fine-line decoration uses narrow strips of straw to form intricate geometric patterns. By combining these methods, artisans create elaborate designs that demonstrate exceptional precision and artistic skill.
Kinosaki Onsen is one of the Kansai region’s best-known hot spring destinations, famous for its traditional bathing culture and seasonal crab cuisine. However, its heritage extends beyond hot springs and food: Kinosaki straw crafts are another important expression of the area’s history and culture.
Examples of the craft were included among materials brought back to Europe by Philipp Franz von Siebold, the German physician who visited Japan during the Edo period. These works became associated with the Siebold Collection. In 1902, Kinosaki straw crafts also received the highest honorary medal at the Louisiana Purchase Exposition in St. Louis, demonstrating the international recognition of their craftsmanship.
The Kinosaki Straw Crafts Museum is approximately a 10-minute walk from Kinosaki Onsen Station on the JR San’in Main Line. If you are visiting Kinosaki Onsen, the museum is a worthwhile stop for discovering a traditional craft that has been carefully preserved for generations. A visit offers an opportunity to appreciate the artistry of straw decoration and learn more about the cultural heritage of this historic hot spring town.