Straw Types

[The Shoe]

Okay, I’ve posted this on a couple of other places in the lounge, but haven’t managed to get an answer yet. I’ll try once more here and if I don’t get anything I’ll give up. After all, I t’s not something that’s keeping me up at night – just curious.
I live in Japan. My wife bought this Borsalino hat recently. On the tag it says 100% Paglia, but on the Japanese tag (in Japanese), it says paper. Now I understood Paglia was straw, which to me suggests whole fibres. Paper on the other hand is made from pulp. The only thing I can think of is that it’s made from the pulp of the Paglia straw. I somehow doubt this to be true though. I guess it’s more likely that there is a mistake on one of the tags. Can anyone shed any light on this?

 

[deadlyhandsome]

Okay, I’ve posted this on a couple of other places in the lounge, but haven’t managed to get an answer yet. I’ll try once more here and if I don’t get anything I’ll give up. After all, I t’s not something that’s keeping me up at night – just curious.
I live in Japan. My wife bought this Borsalino hat recently. On the tag it says 100% Paglia, but on the Japanese tag (in Japanese), it says paper. Now I understood Paglia was straw, which to me suggests whole fibres. Paper on the other hand is made from pulp. The only thing I can think of is that it’s made from the pulp of the Paglia straw. I somehow doubt this to be true though. I guess it’s more likely that there is a mistake on one of the tags. Can anyone shed any light on this? View attachment 228862 View attachment 228860 View attachment 228861

I found this, but it’s not applicable to your hat:

https://img02.aws.kooomo-cloud.com/upload/209/cms/611637/default/14626/LOOKBOOK-BORSALINO-SS20.pdf

The website uses “paglia,” but only to describe types of paja toquilla. Perhaps Panama hats are the only “straw” hats offered in this catalog? Your hat looks to be a Milan (the weave, not necessarily the type of “straw”).

 

[Tukwila]

IMO it's straw made from paper, much like shantung or toyo "straw."

 

[jlee562]

Perhaps @Daniele Tanto can clarify, but according to Google translate "paglia" is the word for straw as opposed to a type of straw like 'wheat straw.'

Paper 'straws' are not uncommon. The most common form is "Shangtung," which is a plastic or shellac coated paper straw.

 

[Daniele Tanto]

I live in Japan. My wife bought this Borsalino hat recently. On the tag it says 100% Paglia, but on the Japanese tag (in Japanese), it says paper. Now I understood Paglia was straw, which to me suggests whole fibres. Paper on the other hand is made from pulp. The only thing I can think of is that it’s made from the pulp of the Paglia straw. I somehow doubt this to be true though. I guess it’s more likely that there is a mistake on one of the tags. Can anyone shed any light on this?

Giving an answer on why the translation in Japanese of straw varies compared to Italian is very difficult, however having a daughter who is graduating in Japanese I can say that the word straw has a precise translation in Japanese that has not been used by Borsalino. The reason is unknown to me, however both from the photographs it is evident that it is straw that in Italy often comes from the stalk of wheat. The weave used in the hat is typical of those used here to make summer hats, it probably comes from wheat and is a weave that seems to be sewn on a base. Clearly, having an interior photographer, it is possible to better understand the workmanship of the hat. Borsalino has almost always given Tesi, a Tuscan company, the contract for straw hats, considering that in Tuscany it has a long tradition in the production of straw hats, together with Montappone in the Marche.
There is also a museum, near Firenze, dedicated to straw hats https://museopaglia.it/index.php
Hope this helps

 

[The Shoe]

Giving an answer on why the translation in Japanese of straw varies compared to Italian is very difficult, however having a daughter who is graduating in Japanese I can say that the word straw has a precise translation in Japanese that has not been used by Borsalino. The reason is unknown to me, however both from the photographs it is evident that it is straw that in Italy often comes from the stalk of wheat. The weave used in the hat is typical of those used here to make summer hats, it probably comes from wheat and is a weave that seems to be sewn on a base. Clearly, having an interior photographer, it is possible to better understand the workmanship of the hat. Borsalino has almost always given Tesi, a Tuscan company, the contract for straw hats, considering that in Tuscany it has a long tradition in the production of straw hats, together with Montappone in the Marche.
There is also a museum, near Firenze, dedicated to straw hats https://museopaglia.it/index.php
Hope this helps

Thanks Daniele. That's very helpful.
The Japanese characters I write here may not show up on some computers and devices.
Indeed the word wara (藁) means straw. Wheat straw is mugiwara (麦藁). The Japanese word for paper is kami (紙). I've got two Bailey summer hats that are 50% paper and the label says bunruigaiseni (kami) 分類外繊維（紙）- unclassified fibre (paper). The strange thing with the Borsalino is that rather than use the common word for paper (kami 紙), they've used the far less common English loan word pepa (ペーパー). It's all very strange.
Anyhow, here is the inside of the hat.

 

[Sterlingman]

Hello all,
I came across this site & thread while on my quest. I decided I'd join and post to see if anyone can positively identify the straw my hat is made of and if...better still, someone may know where to turn to have an exact replica made. First image is when the hat was still intact back in Oct.2014 on a fishing trip to the upper Selway River, ID. I've had this hat since badgering my brother out of it 40yrs ago. He won it on a Jersey boardwalk. It has now begun to separate at the top front & rear of crown and I'd really like to get another one....if at all possible, since we lost my brother back in 2010 at age 52. It's kind of become my moniker. Any help here is greatly appreciated ! It's quite a unique shape 3 1/2" wire edge brimmed hat with an interesting stitched vent. Front of stope is 6" while the back is 4 1/2" up from brim. This difference may be on account of how the very top of the hat has been shaped. Thanks in advance for any assistance !