One of the most popular souvenir items for foreigners is the Japanese umbrella. There are a variety of Japanese umbrellas, ranging from those made of high-grade materials sold in department stores and specialty stores to those readily available at general merchandise stores. Some foreigners may want to purchase a Japanese umbrella sold in Japan for their own use, or may want to give a lovely Japanese umbrella as a souvenir to a friend. Therefore, this article introduces six Japanese umbrellas that are recommended Japanese souvenirs for foreigners. Please refer to them when considering which ones to buy as souvenirs at nearby specialty stores or general stores during your trip to Kyoto or Osaka.
Tsujikura Tokusen Plain Black Bamboo Wisteria Purple ”, a Japanese umbrella whose pattern looks like a snake’s eye
The Japanese umbrella recommended as a Japanese souvenir for foreigners is the “ Tsujikura Tokusen Plain Black Bamboo Wisteria Purple ” (48,400 yen including tax).
This Japanese umbrella is a “snake’s-eye” umbrella, which looks like a snake’s eye from the inside when the umbrella is opened. It became popular in the Edo period when it was used as a prop in Kabuki plays. Janome umbrellas are characterized by their thin framework and handle made of wooden sticks or bamboo, and the small framework inside is decorated with gorgeous decorative threads that have a high design quality. Tsujikura Tokusen plain black bamboo, wisteria purple” is decorated with ‘wisteria purple,’ a bright blue-purple color like that of wisteria flowers. Wisteria purple is a combination of the color wisteria, which has been popular among women since the Heian period (794-1185), and purple, which gives a noble impression. The umbrella is handmade by craftsmen using natural materials, and the handle is made of black bamboo, which is comfortable to hold in the hand. The inside of the umbrella is also decorated with a two-tiered braided decorative thread, which is a charm point.
A slightly smaller Japanese umbrella than the Janome umbrella, “ Tsukiyu, Orange x Flower Tube
The next popular Japanese umbrella as a souvenir of Japan for foreigners is “Tsukiyu Orange x Flower Pattern ” (46,200 yen including tax).
This type of Wagasa is the “Gifu Wagasa,” which is carefully produced by craftsmen, and is characterized by the fact that it is made by splitting a single bamboo tree into equal-sized pieces. The Gifu Wagasa is made over a period of more than two months, and the framework is assembled in such a way that when the umbrella is folded, it will fit the original bamboo. Therefore, when you open the umbrella, the color of the Washi paper and the delicate threads used inside the Wagasa will lift your depression on a rainy day. Tsukiyu Orange x Flower Tube” is a japanese umbrella that is twice smaller than a typical japanese umbrella. It is made of Japanese paper with a lovely flower pattern on an orange base with a light pink tint. The orange color is derived from “orange,” an auspicious fruit that does not easily fall off the tree even when ripe. In addition, this Wagasa is relatively recommended for women and children rather than men because it is smaller in size than a regular janome umbrella and is light and easy to use.
Wagasa with thick bones, recommended for men, “ Big Bangasa, deep green, 48 bones
The “ Big Bangasa, Deep Green, 48 Bones ” (6,780 yen including tax), characterized by its elegant color, is another Japanese umbrella recommended as a souvenir of Japan for foreigners.
The “Big Bangasa, Deep Green, 48 Bones” is a Japanese umbrella made with carefully selected sturdy hand rods, main and small bones for daily use. This Wagasa is a “Bangasa,” a rain umbrella made by stretching Japanese paper over a thick bamboo frame and oiling it. It is also used as a rental umbrella at high-class inns. It is also recommended for men because it is made of thicker material and heavier than a standard jenome umbrella. After using it on a rainy day, dry it in the shade so that it can be used for a long time. Wagasa umbrellas are made by hand by craftsmen, so there are individual differences in color shade and size. Note that the “green” color used is said to be effective in steadily saving money and improving health, as the color is expected to have the power of regeneration, revival, and healing.
Japanese parasol “ Black bamboo parasol ‘Tsukihaku’” made of only domestic natural materials
The next Japanese umbrella recommended as a Japanese souvenir for foreigners is the “Kurotake parasol ‘Tsukihaku’” (33,000 yen including tax).
This Japanese parasol is made without using metal, using only Japanese natural materials such as black bamboo for the handle and frame. The black bamboo of the handle is shaped to fit comfortably in the hand, and the sound of the framework used when the umbrella is opened is a key point. The size is one size larger than previous Japanese parasols, so it will be ideal for sun protection. However, since it is a Japanese umbrella designed exclusively for use as a parasol, it cannot be used in the rain. The design depicts the bright white state of the sky as the moon rises in the sky, expressing the feeling of moon-viewing guests looking forward to “Jugoya,” the famous moon in mid-autumn. There are also many repeat customers who have been using the product for many years. In addition, unlike ordinary parasols, Japanese parasols have different impressions when viewed from the inside and outside, and a different atmosphere when seen through the sun, so you will be able to enjoy simply pointing a Japanese parasol at the sun even on a sunny day. In the case of ordinary Japanese rain umbrellas, the oil applied to strengthen the water-repelling function will oxidize and cause the Japanese paper to deteriorate.
Wagasa “ ryoten,” a Japanese umbrella that can be used in both sunny and rainy weather
The “ sunny/rainy umbrella ryoten ” (27,850 yen including tax) is another Japanese umbrella recommended as a souvenir of Japan for foreigners.
The “ryoten” is a Japanese umbrella that can be used in both rain and shine, and is lighter than regular vinyl umbrellas. It is lighter than regular vinyl umbrellas. The name “ryoten” comes from the Japanese umbrella “Ryoten,” which was used in the Edo period (1603-1868) and could be used in both sunny and rainy weather. The tip of the umbrella is made of natural materials such as bamboo and wood, the framework is made of 36 pieces of bamboo, and the handle is mainly made of strong Japanese paper-like non-woven fabric or recyclable aluminum. Umbrellas generally have 8 to 16 bones, but ryoten uses 2 to 4 times that amount of bamboo bones and is tailored to be about 250g, about half the weight of a vinyl umbrella. While 60-70 million vinyl umbrellas are disposed of every year in Japan, ryoten is environmentally friendly because it is made of natural and recyclable materials that can be disassembled at the time of disposal. In addition to being able to be disassembled entirely into pieces when disposed of, ryoten is made of bamboo and wood, which are natural materials, for the bone and tip, and aluminum, which is recyclable, for the handle, thus reducing the burden on the environment.
Cool jet-black colored Japanese umbrella, “ Iro-Bangasa, Gen
This Wagasa has a sturdy appearance and a nice jet-black color. Because it is a simple Japanese umbrella, the color of the Japanese paper gives it an austere impression. The rustic construction of the Bangasa is characterized by its thick frame and weight, and the uniformly sized, radiating framework that can be seen when the umbrella is opened conveys the charm of the beauty of bamboo. Because of its masculine appearance, “Shiro Bangasa Gen” is especially popular among men. In addition, the connotation of black in Feng Shui is “protection. Therefore, it is said to be effective in dispelling bad karma and evil spirits. Furthermore, black is also said to keep the qi from moving, so it is treated as an auspicious color that not only cuts off bad luck, but also keeps good luck in place.
Conclusion
In this article, we have introduced six Japanese umbrellas, which are recommended Japanese souvenirs for foreigners. In Japan, various types of Japanese umbrellas are sold, such as janome, bangasa, and wa-higasa (Japanese parasol). In addition, not simple colors but austere and deep colors, and stylish Japanese pattern designs may have an impact on foreigners. If you are interested in Japanese Wagasa made of high-grade materials, we recommend visiting department stores or Wagasa specialty stores in Kyoto or Osaka. Also, if you want to give Wagasa as a souvenir to many friends, try going directly to a general store to select a Wagasa to purchase.
