Japanese Umbrella
What is a Japanese umbrella?
Japanese umbrellas are made using natural materials such as bamboo, wood, and thread, using traditional techniques that have been passed down in Japan since ancient times.
Only umbrellas that are made in Japan using traditional methods are called Japanese umbrellas.
The name "Wagasa" has been used since the Meiji period; before that they were called "Karakasa."
In the past, the umbrella worn on the head was called "kasa."
To distinguish between "umbrella" and "kasa," it was called "karakasa," which is just the single character for "umbrella."
The following is said to be the reason why it came to be called "karakasa."
・It is an umbrella that came from the Tang dynasty, so it is called "karakasa"
・It is an umbrella with a handle that you hold in your hand, so it is called "karakasa"
・It is a "karakuri" umbrella that can be opened and closed, so it is called "karakasa"
Introducing Japanese umbrellas
The difference between Western and Japanese umbrellas
In contrast to Japanese umbrellas, the umbrellas we use more commonly on a daily basis are Western umbrellas.
Western-style umbrellas generally have a metal frame and are made of waterproof fabric such as cotton, silk, nylon, or polyester.
Japanese umbrellas rely on the bamboo to support the ribs and washi paper, allowing the washi paper to automatically fold neatly inside the ribs when the umbrella is folded.
This is because Western umbrellas open by pushing up the fabric from the inside with the tension of the wire in the ribs, while Japanese umbrellas open by supporting the washi paper with many thin split bamboo ribs. Therefore, while the silhouette of a Western umbrella when opened is rounded and has a deep arch, a Japanese umbrella opens neatly in a straight line with a fan-like shape.
The way the fabric is folded is also different: Western umbrellas are folded by wrapping the fabric around the outside of the ribs, whereas Japanese umbrellas have the fabric folded inside the ribs, giving them a unique, stick-like appearance.
Types of Japanese umbrellas (bangasa, sun umbrella, dance umbrella, janome umbrella)
Types of Japanese umbrellas include the bangasa (bamboo umbrella), janomegasa (snake-eye umbrella), sun umbrella, and dancing umbrella.
Umbrellas that are waterproofed by applying vegetable oil to the ribs of washi paper are used as rain umbrellas, and there are two types of rain umbrellas: "bankasa" and "janomegasa."