Kasa, Hanagasa and Hanagasa Ondo/Odori

A kasa (笠^?) is any of several sorts of traditional hats of Japan. When preceded by a word specifying the type of hat, the word becomes gasa as in the Hanagasa (conical hat adorned with flowers)(see Rendaku).

One kind of kasa for Buddhist monks is made overly large, in a bowl or mushroom shape and is made from woven rice straw. It does not come to a point like a rice farmer's hat, nor ride high on the head like a samurai's traveling hat. It is just a big hat covering the upper half to two thirds of the face. Thus, it helps mask the identity of the monk and allows him to travel undistracted by sights around him on his journey.

 "Kasa" can translate as "shade" or "umbrella".

Hanagasa Ondo (花笠音頭) is a folk song from Yamagata prefecture, Japan. The name literally means "flower straw-hat song." It accompanies a local community dance called the "Hanagasa Odori." (花笠踊り)
The song is in typical swung ondo rhythm, and features a kakegoe found in no other song; "Ha Yassho Makkasho!" The dance is performed with a simple straw hat decorated with synthetic flowers. It is usually performed by women, but men can also join in. The dance movements are different for each gender.

Excerpt from Hanagasa Ondo

Japanese: Oraga zaisho ni kite miyashanse kome no CHOI CHOI! (kakegoe) naruki ga ojigi suru Ha Yassho! Makkasho! Shan Shan Shan! Rough English Translation: Oh come here and see   The heads of rice have matured   And bow low with fruit (kakegoe)