In the pig, everything is good, but in rice? Apparently, that's true as well, as aside from consuming the grains, the village of Sekikawa, in the northeast of Niigata Prefecture, has also found an artisanal way to use the stalks!
Originally baby baskets, neko chigura are now made for cats, to whom they provide warmth in winter due to their igloo-like structure, and coolness in summer thanks to their natural ventilation. Add to that, they are entirely handmade, with untreated natural products, and they have a lifespan of several decades.
Taking 1 to 2 weeks of work, these baskets have become Sekikawa's specialty since the launch of the "One Village One Product" campaign in 1980.
Today, only 40 people are tasked with making neko chigura, which means that demand far exceeds supply, and it takes a few years before one can receive their ordered basket. It's hard to see how this situation could improve, with the population decline on one hand, and the manufacturing demands on the other: anyone can try to become a neko chigura artisan, but only talented individuals capable of producing a high-quality basket are assigned to their official making.
This surely won't do anything to lessen cats' egos...
(video of Mrs. Itô, President of the Sekikawa Neko Chigura Association, weaving)