Janome Umbrella

Janome Umbrella

What is a Janome Umbrella?

The Janome umbrella was made towards the end of the 17th century.

When the umbrella is opened, a thick white circle spreads across the basic colors of navy blue or red, and this pattern looks like the eyes of a snake, hence the name "snake eye umbrella."

From the Kyoho and Genbun eras (1716-1741), lightweight umbrellas with thin handles were popular, and later these came to be called thin umbrellas and were carried at the waist.

Japanese rain umbrellas, which are slender with a thread decoration in the middle of the ribs, have a light black painted bamboo handle, and come in a wide variety of colors and patterns, have come to be called Janome umbrellas.

The snake-eye umbrella became popular after being used as a prop in Kabuki during the Edo period.

It is still used today as a prop for Sukeroku, the main character in "Sukeroku Yuen no Edo Sakura," a popular Kabuki play.

There is not much difference between the structure and construction of a bangasa and a janome umbrella, but a distinctive feature of a janome umbrella is that it is more intricately decorated than a bangasa.

- The frame is thin and the handle is made of a wooden stick or bamboo.

・The wooden stick handle is wrapped in rattan.

- The inner ribs are decorated with gorgeous decorative threads for a stylish look.

- There is a metal fitting called a "ferrule" under the handle that protects the knife when placed down.

- The umbrella has two stoppers that stop the umbrella when it is opened, so you can narrow the umbrella when walking through a crowd or when the wind is strong.

It is an old legend and there are various theories about it.

The snake eye pattern is an ancient Japanese design, and because it resembles the eyes of a snake, which are messengers of the gods, it has also come to have the meaning of warding off evil.

Also, when the umbrella is opened, its wide shape is said to represent the wishes of "protection from hardships that may come your way" and "lifelong happiness under one roof." Because it is considered to be auspicious, it has been used for celebrations and as part of a bride's dowry.

Nowadays, both bangasa and janomegasa are Japanese umbrellas that can be used casually and enjoyably by both men and women, and by those wearing both Japanese and Western clothing.