Odate magewappa, a specialty of Akita Ondo, were developed in the late 17th century when the Satake Nishi family, lords of Odate Castle, encouraged these crafts as a side job for lower-ranking samurai. Natural Akita cedar, known for its elasticity, is peeled into thin strips, softened in hot water, bent, and sewn together with wild cherry bark to make various products. The bright wood surface and neat grain, as well as the simple nature of the material, appeal to modern tastes, and these items have become popular overseas as well as across Japan. In 1980, Odate magewappa was designated as a national traditional craft.