Keep it long, treasure it long.

Feel the sunlight and wind

It is certainly effective to use a parasol with high light shielding and UV-blocking properties to protect your skin from the spring and summer sun, but if you only seek functionality, the inside of the parasol may become dark, and it may feel somewhat hot and humid due to lack of air circulation. If you have a parasol made of lace material that allows you to feel both sunlight and wind moderately, you can use different types of parasols depending on the weather and location.

Casual Lace Parasol

The wakao umbrella workshop in Tokyo, wakao's small floral lace parasol folding umbrella will fulfill this wish. The fabric, the face of the umbrella, is beautifully made in Japan, leaving a lasting impression upon first glance. This lovely piece is made of 100% cotton that is cool and transparent, embroidered with floral patterns and finished with lace. Since the number of craftsmen with skilled skills is decreasing, Japanese lace parasols are becoming more and more precious year by year, and many people search for them and finally find them.

In order to create an umbrella that can be cherished not only as a tool but also for a lifetime, it is important that it be light, strong, and beautiful both when opened and closed, and that all of these elements be in perfect balance. The materials used in each step of the process are carefully selected.

The handle used for the small flower lace parasol folding umbrella is made of bamboo. The handle is made of bamboo, which has knots and is currently produced by only one company in Japan. The handle is bent slowly over time to give it a familiar, beautiful, and luxurious feel. The parent bone, which is the key to the umbrella's form, is made of a strong, lightweight fiberglass material. Even if the umbrella bends in strong winds, the elasticity of the fiberglass releases the wind and the umbrella returns to its original shape.

This parasol is full of natural atmosphere and looks great with a simple outfit of a cool white shirt and denim. And when matched with a yukata (light cotton kimono for summer), it gives off a mysterious Japanese atmosphere and brings together a refined look. The WHITE color is easy to match and gives a bright impression, but the black embroidery thread harmonizes the whole piece. The navy color brings out the sweet floral pattern, making it perfect for those who prefer a darker color for a parasol.

Japanese umbrellas to be handed down from generation to generation

Kasa Kobo WAKAO was founded in 1938 by Sadamasa WAKAO, an umbrella craftsman. At that time, Tokyo was a major production center for umbrellas. Each of the dozens of processes, from fabric cutting to intermediate stitching, framework assembly, hand attachment, and finishing, continue to be carefully made by the hands of skilled craftsmen.

Today, it is said that more than 90% of umbrellas distributed in Japan are manufactured overseas. The number of craftsmen manufacturing umbrellas in Japan has decreased considerably, and the age of the craftsmen is young, mainly in their 50s. The number of successors is also decreasing. Even so, the fine craftsmanship unique to Japan and the importance of repairing umbrellas when the weather is rough, etc., are treasures that should be passed down from generation to generation.