Protecting Japan's traditional industry, "Wagasa" and conveying its charm

Japanese Umbrella and Mizuhiki Workshop Akito

(Studio minto)

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About 20 minutes from Kanazawa Station, hidden in a residential area near the Saigawa River, is the Wagasa and Mizuhiki Workshop Meito. It was founded in 2012. Hiromi Yamada, the workshop's director, has been making Japanese umbrellas for 15 years.

"After I finished raising my children and was thinking about what I wanted to do, I happened to see a demonstration of bamboo craft making and became interested in traditional crafts. That's what got me into the world of Japanese umbrellas," says Yamada.

He immediately applied to take the bamboo craft course at the Rare Traditional Industry Specialized School, but unfortunately was unsuccessful. He somehow managed to pass the woodwork course, and that's when his path to becoming a traditional craftsman began. At first, he made trays and accessories.

Preserving the techniques and traditions of Japanese umbrellas

What prompted Yamada to become a Japanese umbrella craftsman was that the know-how of making Japanese umbrellas was disappearing from Kanazawa. Kanazawa's Japanese umbrellas are known for their durability, and during the Meiji and Taisho periods, there were more than 100 Japanese umbrella shops. At the time, there was only one Japanese umbrella craftsman. The city of Kanazawa felt a sense of crisis, and since Japanese umbrellas are made from wood, bamboo, and washi paper, they approached craftsmen in this field who had the basic materials and a livelihood. This is because it is not possible to make a living as a Japanese umbrella craftsman alone.

"Japanese umbrellas are more beautiful than wooden umbrellas. I was fooled by those words and decided to become a Japanese umbrella craftsman," says Yamada.

The people who were recommended to do something about Japanese umbrellas were gathered together, and the "Kanazawa Japanese Umbrella Tradition Study Group" was born. Tanaka Tomio, who currently supports Aketo, was invited as a lecturer from Gifu, which has the largest share of Japanese umbrellas and is home to a large collection of materials for making Japanese umbrellas.

"While I was visiting as a lecturer, I felt a strong desire in Kanazawa to spread the appeal of Japanese umbrellas to the public. I felt that this was a place where we could explore new possibilities for Japanese umbrellas, so I decided to help establish Meito," said Tanaka.

With the powerful support of Tanaka, Yamada's talents seemed to blossom all at once.

I am now invited to various events and have developed connections with artisans of various traditional crafts. In the meantime, I also make and sell Mizuhiki, which I started at the same time as woodworking, and teach it. My Mizuhiki students are my biggest supporters, and my teacher tells me that I can make Japanese umbrellas too.

  • Hiromi Yamada's awards

    2009 Kanazawa City Crafts Exhibition Encouragement Award (Woodcraft)

    2013 Selected for the Ishikawa Traditional Crafts Exhibition in NY (Japanese Umbrella)

    2014 Kanazawa City Crafts Exhibition Selected (Japanese Umbrella)

Q&A on "Japanese Umbrellas" with Hiromi Yamada, the company's president

● Practical Kanazawa Japanese Umbrellas

--Are there any differences between Gifu and Kanazawa Japanese umbrellas?

Yamada: Gifu umbrellas are said to be "flowers when open, bamboo when closed." When the umbrella is open, a vivid pattern spreads out, and when closed, it becomes slender like a single bamboo stalk. In other words, it is slender and beautiful. The thread decoration on the inside is simple and monochromatic. It is a chic style.

--But what about umbrellas in Kanazawa?

Yamada: "Good to use." Kanazawa gets a lot of rain, so umbrellas have developed with the goal of being usable even on windy, rainy days. That's why the washi paper is thicker and uses more oil than in other production areas. Also, the thread stitching on the inside of the umbrella is multicolored and has more layers than umbrellas in Gifu. This is not for decoration, but for reinforcement. I think that this difference in style has come about due to the difference in climate between the Pacific side and the Sea of ​​Japan side, but now that all materials are sourced from Gifu City, it has become difficult to make umbrellas with thick washi paper like in the old days.

--Please tell us about the features of the "Aketo" Japanese umbrellas.

Yamada: Until now, I had thought of it as "combining the best of Gifu and Kanazawa," but as I looked at various umbrellas from all over Japan, I began to wonder, "What is the most important thing in an umbrella?" I am currently in the process of pursuing this answer.

●It takes three months to make one Japanese umbrella.

 --I heard that all of your umbrellas are unique.

Yamada: There is no one exactly the same in this world. Therefore, rather than the same umbrella as everyone else, we want each customer to find a one-of-a-kind umbrella that matches their individuality. We will continue to focus on creating unique designs.

--How long does it take to make a Japanese umbrella?

Yamada: About three months. Depending on how you count, it is said that there are about 20 to 100 steps in making a Japanese umbrella, including making the frame, rolling it up, stretching it, and oiling it. In the past, there was a specialist craftsman for each step, and the work was divided up, but nowadays there are almost no specialist craftsmen. It takes time because two people do almost all the steps, such as assembling the frame, pasting the washi paper, and oiling it.

●I want people to know the appeal of Japanese umbrellas

-What kind of workshop are you aiming for?

Yamada: I hope this will become a place where people can learn about Japanese umbrellas. In the past, there were many Japanese umbrella-related workshops, and you could see artisans working in the city, but now there are few such opportunities. That's why I want people to come to our workshop and see our work. I also want to make it easy for people to experience making mizuhiki.

--What kind of meaning is behind the name "Akato"?

Yamada: It can be read in many ways, such as mate (friend), myoto (couple), and mint. It also sounds nice, such as "open and see mint, stick and see mint, touch and see mint." Also, the character for umbrella has many people on the roof. It was originally a division of labor, so many people's hands are involved in the production. Also, many connections are made through Japanese umbrellas. "Bright rabbit" is a name that wants to cherish the connections and relationships between people. My master Tanaka named it because he felt that such various thoughts were hidden in it.

If handled properly, it can be used for decades.

--I heard that in Kanazawa, Japanese umbrellas were one of the items a bride brought with her. They are also popular as interior decorations, but what other uses are they for?

Yamada: It's not just the word "wa-gasa" (Japanese umbrella), it's an umbrella. An umbrella is something that keeps out rain and snow. A parasol blocks out the sunlight. Because umbrellas provide protection, they are also used at festivals, kabuki plays, and religious ceremonies. But that doesn't mean that a wagasa is originally a work of art or something to be admired. It's something to be used. You can only appreciate its value once you've used it.

-- It seems a shame to actually use it though...

Yamada: If handled properly, they can be used for around 10 years. For example, the orientation of the umbrella. When closed , Western umbrellas are held by the handle, but Japanese umbrellas are held by the body. When wet, there is a string attached to hold it, so hold it by that. When leaning the umbrella against something or storing it, the head should always be up. If it is held the other way around, water will collect inside the umbrella and damage the washi paper. After use, leave it half open and dry in the shade. If you follow these basic rules, you'll be fine. Of course, repairs are possible. We are often asked to repair umbrellas that are part of a bride's dowry from several decades ago.

-Finally, please give a message to your customers.

Yamada: I think the majority of young people have never seen a Japanese umbrella. Please come and see and touch one for yourself. I'm sure you'll come to understand the beauty of Japanese umbrellas.

Products (Product sales)

Access to the workshop

  • Studio name: Japanese umbrella and Mizuhiki studio, Akito

    Address: 3-8-51 Nagatsuchibe, Kanazawa City, 920-0867

    Telephone number 090-2125-7256

    Business hours Monday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday

    (Please contact us if you are absent due to events, etc.)