Commitment to Four Processes

We believe that the four "people" in character for "umbrella" represent craftsmen in the four fields of "weaving fabric," "assembling bones," "making handles," and "cutting and sewing fabric," respectively, and Maehara Mitsuei Shoten has enhanced and passed on these four skills.

(1)Weaving the fabric

The warp threads are set one-by-one on the loom by hand and then woven. The fabric is slowly and painstakingly woven on a traditional loom at the foot of Mount Fuji in Yamanashi Prefecture, once the production center of Kai textiles.

(2)Assembling the bone

A square piece of wood is gradually shaved into the shape of a walking stick, and heat is applied to straighten it little by little. After that, "Hajimeki" is embedded in the polished middle bar by hand, and the bone is assembled.

(3)Making the hand

Bending" is done in various ways with different types of wood. Some are heated with fire, others are soaked in boiling water to soften them. Natural dyes are applied to the bent material several times to give it a beautiful luster. This time-consuming "coating" process produces a deep hand that becomes more lustrous the more it is used.

(4)Cutting and sewing the fabric

The woven fabric and the assembled bones are handed over to "processors." The material is cut and sewn to make the umbrella and then stretched over the frame. In mass-produced products, the material is cut in layers of 8, 10, or more layers to increase efficiency, but most of Maehara Kouei Shoten's processes use two layers of fabric to increase precision in cutting. The processors cut the fabric with a cutting knife by placing a triangular-shaped "wooden pattern" that they have adjusted and created on the material. This process significantly affects the quality of the finished product.

Quality Chosen by the Imperial Family

Maehara Kohyei Shoten continues to manufacture umbrellas by hand, one by one, using traditional methods and skilled craftsmen. Maehara's carefully crafted umbrellas are an item you can enjoy as they age and become more durable as you use them. You can feel the reliable quality of Maehara's umbrellas, which have been selected as a gift for the Imperial Household. Maehara's umbrellas are actual umbrellas that make rainy days more enjoyable.

Handling

When using

- When opening the umbrella, gently shake it 2-3 times with a wrist twist to loosen the fabric before opening. Opening the umbrella without unraveling the fabric will strain the bone and cause it to break.
- Continued use of a broken umbrella may stress other body parts, leading to an accident.
- Do not use it as a walking stick. Do not use it as a walking stick, as it may put a heavy load on the middle bar, causing it to break.
- It may break or leak during typhoons, rainstorms, or strong winds.
- The structure is not entirely waterproof, so it may leak if it stays wet for a long time or is exposed to heavy rain.
- The middle bar may have tape attached to it, but this is to prevent damage caused by the bones.
- Please do not use it as a parasol, as prolonged exposure to direct sunlight may cause deterioration of the umbrella as a whole
- The fabric may be taut at the beginning of use. When closing the umbrella, please avoid getting your fingers caught in the top edge.
- When draining water from the rain, hold the roller and open and close the umbrella lightly 2 or 3 times. Shaking the umbrella vigorously will put a heavy burden on the bone and may cause damage.

When storing

- After use, wipe the surface gently with a towel and dry it thoroughly. If moisture remains inside the umbrella, it may cause rusting of the bone and corrosion/deformation of the inner bar. Also, if the umbrella is exposed to direct sunlight for an extended period of time, the fabric will fade.
- If possible, avoid using the umbrella for consecutive days, and rest it to dry thoroughly the next day after use to prolong its life.
- Do not use it as a walking stick. Do not use it as a walking stick.
- If the umbrella is left closed in direct sunlight or under an indoor light for a long time, only the part of the umbrella exposed to the light will fade. When not in use for an extended period of time, wrap the umbrella in a paper bag and store it in a dark place.
- If you keep it in the dark, wrap it in a paper bag or something similar when not in use for an extended period of time.