Creating a translucent plastic umbrella that cannot be thrown away.
In Japan, approximately 140 million umbrellas are consumed annually, of which 80 million are plastic umbrellas.
Due to their low cost and convenience, a large number of plastic umbrellas are abandoned or discarded, and the habit of using disposable umbrellas has taken root.
In response to this problem, we propose a valuable umbrella that makes the plastic umbrella not something that can be thrown away, but something that you do not want to throw away. We will create a new "tradition" of umbrellas by combining the ancient technology of the Kyoto Wagasa umbrella and the technology of the plastic umbrella that originated in Japan.
Vinyl WAGASA to add color to a maiko (geisha) on a rainy day
Maiko wear traditional costumes from head to toe. However, when they go to lessons on rainy days, they use plastic umbrellas, and their lesson halls are overflowing with plastic umbrellas, a scene that does not fit their image.
We want to see beautiful maiko wearing full-body traditional costumes even on rainy days, and we want them to carry umbrellas that are colored by the streets of Kyoto.
Joint Development with HIYOSHIYA CO.,LTD.
HIYOSHIYA CO.,LTD. / Established in the late Edo period
HIYOSHIYA is the only manufacturer of Wagasa in Kyoto and has been in business for 160 years.
Today, Wagasa are used for display and advertising in Japanese ryokans, ryotei, hotels and shops, as well as for souvenirs and gifts sent overseas.
Hiyoshiya also looks forward to the possibilities of new Wagasa for the younger generation, while inheriting the traditional manufacturing methods used in the past.