Paper umbrella made of Japanese paper
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Paper umbrella made of Japanese paper |
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HISTORY More than 100 manufacturers at the peak The root of Japanese paper umbrella goes back to canopy-like silk umbrella which came from China and suge parasol that noblemen used in the Heian period. The paper umbrella became popular among the public after the Edo period. It peaked at the Meiji and Taisho periods, when there were over 100 paper umbrella manufacturers in Kanazawa. After 1950s, inexpensive western umbrella became handy, and the demand for paper umbrella for daily use has declined. At present, demands for paper umbrellas for daily use are scarce, how ever, as an accessory of particular taste, the paper umbrella is still receiving inquiries to meet niche market. CHARACTERISTICS As an accessory of particular taste, it is popular in the niche market. The characteristics of Kanazawa paper umbrella are that they use moso bamboo and kozo wood which grow in banks around Kanazawa. The umbrellas are fortified by applying 4 plies of Japanese paper at the center of umbrella and by double and triple stringing around the edges of umbrella. At its peak, the umbrellas were sold not only within the prefecture, but they were also sold outside of the prefecture. |