One of my favorite French cat style websites OhMyCat posted these beautiful photos of a traditional Japanese cat bed known as neko chigura. Based on a design for an infant cradle, each neko chigura is handcrafted using rice straw, which keeps kitty warm in the winter and cool in the summer.
This video shows how the beds are made, with help from some gorgeous feline assistants:
If you can’t see the video above in your email, click here to watch it on the site.
Neko chigura beds are available in five sizes ranging from 4,000 Yen ($43 US) to 17,000 Yen ($184 US). I’ve never seen these in the US, but would love to find one.
January 4th, 2010 at 11:00 pm
OMG I NEED ONE OF THESE RIGHT NOW! If you possibly find them here at a reasonable price please let us know!
January 5th, 2010 at 12:24 am
According to this blog, they have a waiting list.
http://www.mellowmonk.com/2007/11/orders-pour-in-for-hand-woven-cat.html
January 5th, 2010 at 7:18 am
those are so cool! i want one for my cat.
January 5th, 2010 at 7:18 am
finally something natural while still beatufil! Awesome!
January 5th, 2010 at 7:23 am
My kitties would love this cat bed….
January 5th, 2010 at 7:37 am
How cool!! What a great bed for a kitty to snuggle up in.
January 5th, 2010 at 7:40 am
this is lovely. if it becomes available in the US I would love to know.
January 5th, 2010 at 7:59 am
i need several of these!
January 5th, 2010 at 8:31 am
This is fabulous!!!! We must all start collectively googling to find these for sale to the U.S. market. And I agree with Elle, I need several of these…..
January 5th, 2010 at 9:03 am
How delightful! Modern yet organic and home made. Love it!
January 5th, 2010 at 9:24 am
Simply beautiful!! I printed the pictures for my husband to see who was born and raised in Okinawa.
January 5th, 2010 at 10:19 am
You MUST click on the neko chigura link, then click on the google translate button (if you have google toolbar) and then hve a browse… it’s hilarious! I’m afraid the talk of mites and ticks kind of puts me off the idea of having one… even though I know my cats (who are all fighting over the heated tent this week) would love one.
January 5th, 2010 at 10:42 am
I loved watching the video! The orange Tabby “helper kitty” is so adorable! I think that my Twiggy would really enjoy lounging in one. She may never come out!
January 5th, 2010 at 10:51 am
Blows all others out of the water!
Also, a request: If anyone finds that clip without the Thai dub, please post a link to it. (Thai dub is all there is on YouTube, but I can hear some of the original Japanese underneath.)
THank you.
January 5th, 2010 at 11:02 am
These are absolutely beautiful! Honestly works of art. I would LOVE to get some of these for my furries!
January 5th, 2010 at 11:11 am
What a wonderful product! I wish I spoke Japanese so I could follow everything in the video
January 5th, 2010 at 12:02 pm
Wow I am loving the design!! Doubles as a cat scratcher!
January 5th, 2010 at 12:08 pm
Those are the best beds I have ever seen. Hope you find some in the US.
January 5th, 2010 at 12:16 pm
Doesnt kitty sharpen nails on the outside though??
January 5th, 2010 at 12:24 pm
those are beautiful and craftsmanship looks amazing. i would love to have one or two of those for my kitties. If they made larger ones too for children, it would be great!!
January 5th, 2010 at 12:26 pm
I love it!
January 5th, 2010 at 12:42 pm
How beautiful! Fits right into a room’s decor. No one would know it was a cat’s bed. I’d love one for my kitty.
January 5th, 2010 at 1:40 pm
That’s a wonderful products and a great post! I’m glad I could learn about Japanese handcraft.
January 5th, 2010 at 1:45 pm
These are the quintessential cat beds! Beautiful video. I haven’t seen them for sale stateside, but IKEA does have a lot of baskets that are similar, as has Cost Plus in the past, where I bought several rice-straw baskets originally made for picnic use, rectangular, with handles at either end, and dyed with a color pattern at the top, all the way around. Lined with soft bedding, they were very cat-pleasing and made beautiful accents in our home.
January 5th, 2010 at 2:43 pm
I am going to try really hard to not ask my friends who moved back here from Japan to pick me up one the next time they visit. Those are awesome!
January 5th, 2010 at 3:06 pm
They originated in Niigata prefecture,which is north above Nagano,so its cold !
The handmade ones all come from Niigata.
More piccies
http://nippon-kichi.jp/article_list.do?p=5981
http://blog.livedoor.jp/vitaamica/archives/50689954.html
If you have a pal in Japan,you can ask them to get you one and mail it.
Its what I have to do usually.
You can buy them here:
http://www.okuechigo.com/tokusan/wara/
I suspect iris-pet might have them too,but not sure where on the site to look.They have no search engine.
http://www.iris-pet.com/nyan
If I find an english friendly seller,I’ll pass it on.
Missy
January 5th, 2010 at 4:48 pm
Oh my goodness, my two would love it! Although Ketzel would also use it as a scratching post. She does have a thing for baskets. but I think they would find it very cosy, the way it would keep in their body heat.
I hope that now someone becomes inspired to import them!
January 5th, 2010 at 7:12 pm
i love the look of these and am sure my furbabies would love one also.
January 5th, 2010 at 8:38 pm
I read the Neko-Chigura website, they said that you have to wait for over a year to get it. It takes time to make it because it’s hand made. Also they are using rice straw and they have to wait for the rice harvest.
About scratching, the straw is braided very tight, so the Neko-Chigura shouldn’t be destroyed. Although, you might want to train your cat to not scratch it.
There are 5 sizes from small to big. The biggest one is 17,000yen (approximately $185).
I don’t think they ship internationally….
http://www.nekochigura.com
January 6th, 2010 at 8:33 am
Oh How Great a Bee Hive for Cats!
January 6th, 2010 at 12:00 pm
This has turned out to be my number one on my kitty wish list. I wonder if anyone makes a similar basket here in the u.s. It is beautiful and carries the loving energy of its creators!
January 6th, 2010 at 12:58 pm
Although not as beautiful as the japanese model, this american model is also handmade, very attractive and I guess more accessible
http://www.dwr.com/product/woven-pet-basket.do?keyword=pet+bed&sortby=ourPicks
January 6th, 2010 at 7:03 pm
Beautifully crafted, lovingly made. Absolutely awesome.
January 6th, 2010 at 7:37 pm
This is the first time that my cat, Gary, has watched a video – I am not sure if it was the cat or the language. He was mesmerized. I weave baskets but nothing like that – and have not done any since adopting the Boys – Pumpkin will eat anything (like a goat) and I don’t think reed would be good for him. Awesome baskets!
January 7th, 2010 at 1:10 pm
can I buy one anywhere in Europe or the U.S.? I am living in Sweden.
January 12th, 2010 at 7:01 pm
The technique is not unique to Japan, Stateside I’ve seen baskets using the same weaving technique. Both pine needle baskets (Western Native American origin and Sweet Grass I believe either of Gala origin(Carolinas?) or African American ( before Civil War?) I’ve also seen modern versions that use close-line / rope and strips of cloth (as in rag rugs) If one knows how to crochet a rag rug …. Or sew a rag rug Just make a circular basket.
The technique is also on the Web any decent search engine should find the sites.
Maybe it’s me being my normal frugal crafty self… but I honestly can’t see spending that much even on my self. Theres also a strong sense of satisfaction and pride in knowing that one has the ability to create and possibly start one’s own cottage business!!
January 18th, 2010 at 5:12 pm
Very Nice!
January 20th, 2010 at 12:47 am
OMG I would love to have this my furry babies would love this, they have a banana leaf box they love!!!
January 22nd, 2010 at 8:16 pm
I love it where can they be purchased, a must have
February 1st, 2010 at 12:47 pm
Wow! I know my little lexi would just love this. A place to hide and nap!
February 2nd, 2010 at 8:35 am
Awesome!
February 10th, 2010 at 10:48 am
Oh, cool! These would be awesome to have here!
April 18th, 2012 at 8:11 am
Hi!
We are very proud to be able to offer them in just a few months
http://www.purrfectdesign.net/en/
We are in Europe, but we ship to US.