Antique Japanese umbrella 'Kainu'
Antique Japanese Umbrella 'Kainu' — Traditional Wagasa Bamboo Parasol
The wagasa — Japan's traditional bamboo umbrella — has been part of Japanese life for over a thousand years. Introduced from China during the Nara period (710-794), the wagasa evolved into a uniquely Japanese craft, developed in regional centers like Gifu and Kyoto where skilled artisans still produce them today. Each traditional wagasa requires more than 100 separate steps to complete.
What distinguishes the wagasa from Western umbrellas is the bamboo frame. Where most modern umbrellas use steel spokes, the wagasa's bamboo ribs give it a flexibility and natural resonance you simply cannot replicate with metal. The Kainu honors this tradition with a genuine bamboo handle and frame structure that captures the classic silhouette of a wagasa.
Measuring 80cm in diameter and weighing just 250g, this umbrella provides generous coverage while staying light enough for comfortable all-day carry. The bamboo handle adds natural warmth to the hand, with the kind of tactile quality you only get from genuine craft materials. The traditional manufacturing preserves the wagasa spirit while adapting it for contemporary daily use.
The Kainu works as both a functional umbrella and a cultural artifact. Use it on rainy or sunny days for its practical purpose, or display it opened in a Japanese-inspired interior where its traditional silhouette becomes a decorative element. A meaningful gift for anyone drawn to Japanese craft heritage or traditional everyday objects.
- Traditional craftsmanship
- Bamboo handle
- 80 cm diameter
- Lightweight: 250 g
- Eco-friendly design
Description
Antique Japanese Umbrella 'Kainu' — Traditional Wagasa Bamboo Parasol
The wagasa — Japan's traditional bamboo umbrella — has been part of Japanese life for over a thousand years. Introduced from China during the Nara period (710-794), the wagasa evolved into a uniquely Japanese craft, developed in regional centers like Gifu and Kyoto where skilled artisans still produce them today. Each traditional wagasa requires more than 100 separate steps to complete.
What distinguishes the wagasa from Western umbrellas is the bamboo frame. Where most modern umbrellas use steel spokes, the wagasa's bamboo ribs give it a flexibility and natural resonance you simply cannot replicate with metal. The Kainu honors this tradition with a genuine bamboo handle and frame structure that captures the classic silhouette of a wagasa.
Measuring 80cm in diameter and weighing just 250g, this umbrella provides generous coverage while staying light enough for comfortable all-day carry. The bamboo handle adds natural warmth to the hand, with the kind of tactile quality you only get from genuine craft materials. The traditional manufacturing preserves the wagasa spirit while adapting it for contemporary daily use.
The Kainu works as both a functional umbrella and a cultural artifact. Use it on rainy or sunny days for its practical purpose, or display it opened in a Japanese-inspired interior where its traditional silhouette becomes a decorative element. A meaningful gift for anyone drawn to Japanese craft heritage or traditional everyday objects.
- Traditional craftsmanship
- Bamboo handle
- 80 cm diameter
- Lightweight: 250 g
- Eco-friendly design
