How to Make Traditional Japanese Paper Umbrellas
The umbrella has been around for thousands of years. Its use can be traced back to Ancient China and Egypt where it became a status symbol for the rich. What began as a way to shield the upper class from the hot sun later became a functional device to protect people from rain. While the Chinese are credited with inventing paper, it was the Japanese who honed the craft of paper umbrellas. It was during the mid to late 19th century in Edo (Old Tokyo), that Japanese craftsmen began making the wagasa with natural ingredients in a process that took months. Today, those ingredients are still being used to make the two styles of paper umbrellas: the parasol and the garden umbrella.
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Things You'll Need
- Bamboo
- Washi paper, preferably kozo or mulberry
- Glue
- Plant oils
- Cashew lacquer
- Thread
- Rattan
Instructions
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1
Cut the bamboo evenly into 48 thin sticks. Next dye the sticks the color of your choice. These sticks will be used to construct the frame of the umbrella. They will be attached to a wooden core to create the opening and closing of the umbrella.
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2
Cut large pieces of washi paper to fit the size and shape of the umbrella. Be careful to make sure the pieces have the same thickness.
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Paste the paper with homemade tapioca glue onto the bamboo frame. This may seem easy, but if it is not done properly, it may put stress on the paper, shortening its life.
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4
Fold the umbrella after the glue has dried.
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5
Spread a mixture of plant oils on the paper to waterproof it. Oils such as linseed or sesame are sometimes used in this procedure. Place the umbrella in the sun to dry for several days.
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Apply cashew lacquer on each of the bamboo sticks.
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Colorful thread is then used to attached the bamboo frame to the base, and rattan is wrapped around the handle.
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Tips & Warnings
The making of the wagasa is one of Japan's most complicated crafts. The process involves many highly-skilled craftspeople who only work on specific parts of the umbrella ( i.e. bamboo specialist, paper specialist, etc.) The cost of the paper is also expensive.
