This type of woven hat, a traditional craft of Aomori Prefecture, dates back to the end of the Edo period. Gonohe baori became popular for farm work and other outside activities because they are light and durable and because their woven rush grass mesh repels rain. The hats are made entirely by hand, and craftsmen shape the uniquely curved hat brim by inserting a thin bamboo core into the edge. This makes the hats attractive as well as practical, as the raised brim increases visibility for the wearer. Demand for Gonohe baori decreased in the 1960s with the spread of cheap straw hats, and so did the number of craftsmen, but the techniques used to make these hats continue to be passed down from generation to generation.