Toyo straw

Toyo straw is a type of shiny smooth straw made chiefly in Japan with shellacked rice paper^{[citation needed]}while, according to European hatmakers, it is an artificial paper straw made of 100% viscose.^[1] This material is commonly used for straw hats and fedoras.^[2]

toyo straw material

Hats woven from this material are smooth and lightweight, and are often an off-white or golden copper color.^{[citation needed]} The rice paper is coated with shellac, cellophane,^[3] or a plastic glaze. Machine-made toyo straw hats are generally sold in the medium to low price range.^{[citation needed]}