“Rain falls, past and present alike—paper umbrellas, durable, graceful, and economical”

This is one of the slogan placards distributed as a supplement to the Japan Umbrella & Lantern News, published in 1938 (Showa 13). Even today, 88 years later, it is carefully preserved at Tsujikura along with other historical materials.

From the wording, we can sense that even at the time there was an awareness of the growing popularity of Western-style umbrellas. One wonders what those involved in the Japanese umbrella trade back then would think if they knew the current state of wagasa today.

It is true that overall demand has declined. However, we are grateful that wagasa are still cherished and used as indispensable items at shrines and temples throughout Japan, as well as at festivals, in the tea ceremony, the geisha districts, the sumo world, and the kabuki theater.

In recent years, interest from overseas visitors has also grown, and purchases by international customers have increased.

At Tsujikura, we will continue to devote ourselves every day to preserving the tradition of wagasa and passing it on to future generations—even a hundred years from now.