How to care for a Japanese umbrella

Gifu Japanese umbrella bookmark

The history of Gifu Japanese umbrellas made in Kano, Gifu City is said to be over 250 years old.

At the beginning of the Meiji, Taisho, and Showa eras, which were the heyday of Japanese umbrella production, most households in the Kano area were engaged in the Japanese umbrella business in some way. Demand dropped sharply as western umbrellas spread, and even in Gifu, which boasts the highest production volume in Japan, there are only three Japanese umbrella wholesalers left.
Japanese umbrellas that are indispensable to traditional Japanese culture, such as the festive Japanese umbrellas of shrines and temples, Kabuki dances, tea ceremony at Notachi, and hanging umbrellas for weddings. How to pass on the outstanding technology of Japanese umbrellas to the next generation is a modern challenge.

Bamboo and Japanese paper are the main materials for the Japanese umbrella. Due to the complete division of labor, Gifu Japanese umbrella is carefully made by one dozen or so craftsmen. We hope you will understand the materials of bamboo and Japanese paper and use them for a long time.

Umbrella for a rainy day

  • Please do not put it in a box and store it in a safe place. First, remove the tightening ring and hang it in a well-ventilated place.
  • When leaning an umbrella, please hold your hand down and your head up.
  • After use, half-open and dry in the shade.
  • Do not squeeze the wet umbrella head.
  • If you do not use it for a while, the oil may harden and the Washi paper may stick together and become difficult to separate.
    Don't try to open it forcibly, because it was warm air from a dryer, open it slowly while turning it.
  • Please avoid using on a windy day.

Parasol for sunny days

  • When leaning an umbrella, please hold your hand down and your head up.
  • The handle can be removed. It is convenient to carry.
  • We cannot cope with rain. If you get wet in the rain, please dry it completely before closing it

Enjoy the taste of Japan, such as the smell of oil, the feel of lacquer, the sound of cissing, the color of washi paper when opened, and the sound of rain.

Please refer here as well

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