Umbrella 16

A lattice pattern is applied like a chessboard. The pattern, woven from a single color thread, appears and disappears depending on the angle of the light.
Congo is the general name for a soft vine native to Europe. It has a distinctive appearance, and no two handles have the same shape, making them stand out. It will add a sense of presence to even the simplest umbrella.
It will surely make you look forward to rainy days.

When opened

Diameter : 113cm

When closed

Length：94cm

Weight : 616g

Polyester

MAEHARA UMBRELLA

"Enriching people's lives with Umbrellas"

Our first priority is to make the people in our company happy who are most involved in the umbrella business. If the environment within the company improves, the attitude will be reflected in our customer service, and if customers are satisfied with that customer service, society will become brighter as a chain reaction. I hope that umbrellas will be the catalyst for such a change!

ARTISAN STORY

Shinji Maehara / Maehara Umbrella
A craftsman who makes Tokyo Umbrellas at the long-established Tokyo Umbrella Studio in Tokyo, which has been in operation for three generations since 1948. After spending his college years abroad, he decided to take over the family business when his father became ill. He develops products that are not only practical, but also fit into modern society by incorporating elaborate designs with attention to detail.

ACHIEVEMENTS

・Received Taito City Shitamachi TAITO Industry Award

TOKYO YOGASA / TOKYO WESTERN-STYLE UMBRELLAS

About 150 years ago / 1870s / Meiji Period (1868–1912)

Western umbrellas spread in Japan during the Meiji era, and Tokyo production grew from repairing and copying imported examples. Specialists divided work among frames, handles, fabric cutting and sewing, producing rain umbrellas, parasols and gentlemen’s umbrellas suited to modern urban life.

In Japan, handmade Tokyo umbrellas are valued as tailored objects rather than disposable rain gear. Makers adjust fabric tension, opening action and balance in the hand, often combining natural-wood handles with modern high-performance textiles.

An umbrella canopy is not truly flat when opened; it forms a sequence of curved surfaces. Tiny differences in the triangular fabric panels change wrinkles and tension. The maker designs a three-dimensional dome that must collapse neatly into a slim bundle and expand evenly again thousands of times.

Individual Differences

As each piece is individually handcrafted, slight variations in color, pattern, shape, and texture may occur. These subtle differences are a natural characteristic of handcrafted works, making each piece truly unique. We hope you will enjoy these individual variations as part of the beauty and character of Japanese craftsmanship.

Production Time

If an item is not currently in stock, it may be made to order by the artisan. As each piece is carefully handcrafted, production may take several months depending on the item and the artisan's schedule. We appreciate your patience and understanding.