Gifu Umbrellas
Encyclopedia
, or Gifu Japanese Umbrellas, are a special product of the city of Gifu
in Gifu Prefecture
, Japan
. They have been labeled as one of Gifu's traditional crafts.
became rulers of the Kanō Domain
and brought with them umbrella artisans from their former home in the Akashi Domain
(modern-day Hyōgo Prefecture
). By 1756, the umbrellas became more fully developed and the modern shapes and designs first appeared.
During the end of the Edo period
, approximately 520,000 umbrellas were shipped north to Edo
each year. By the beginning of the Meiji period
, production increased to 12 million umbrellas each year and international sales first began on a widescale. Production continued to increase until its peak during the Shōwa period
, which 15 million umbrellas being produced each year, but modern production has dropped to just tens of thousands of umbrellas.
, a strong local paper. A number of natural materials are used in the production process and there are a limited number of people who have the skills to make the umbrellas.
Among traditional crafts in Japan, Gifu Umbrellas are particularly difficult to make with over 100 steps involved from start to finish. Because of all the skills required to make the umbrellas, it would be difficult for one person to make an umbrella through each step.
Gifu, Gifu
is a city located in the south-central portion of Gifu Prefecture, Japan, and serves as the prefectural capital. The city has played an important role in Japan's history because of its location in the middle of the country. During the Sengoku period, various warlords, including Oda Nobunaga, used...
in Gifu Prefecture
Gifu Prefecture
is a prefecture located in the Chūbu region of central Japan. Its capital is the city of Gifu.Located in the center of Japan, it has long played an important part as the crossroads of Japan, connecting the east to the west through such routes as the Nakasendō...
, Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
. They have been labeled as one of Gifu's traditional crafts.
History
In 1639, the Matsudaira clanMatsudaira clan
The was a Japanese samurai clan that claimed descent from the Minamoto clan. It first originated in and took its name from Matsudaira village, in Mikawa Province . Over the course of its history, the clan produced many branches, most of which also centered around Mikawa Province...
became rulers of the Kanō Domain
Kano Domain
The ' was a Japanese domain of the Edo period, located in Mino Province .-History:The territory of the Kanō domain was once ruled from Gifu, by Oda Hidenobu, Oda Nobunaga's grandson. However, as Hidenobu sided with Ishida Mitsunari at the Battle of Sekigahara, his territory was confiscated by...
and brought with them umbrella artisans from their former home in the Akashi Domain
Akashi Domain
The was a feudal domain of Japan. It occupied Akashi District and surroundings in Harima Province. Fudai and Shimpan daimyo were assigned, and frequently reassigned, to Akashi. The domain had its administrative headquarters at Akashi Castle.Akashi was established in 1617 when Ikeda Mitsumasa was...
(modern-day Hyōgo Prefecture
Hyogo Prefecture
is a prefecture of Japan located in the Kansai region on Honshū island. The capital is Kobe.The prefecture's name was previously alternately spelled as Hiogo.- History :...
). By 1756, the umbrellas became more fully developed and the modern shapes and designs first appeared.
During the end of the Edo period
Edo period
The , or , is a division of Japanese history which was ruled by the shoguns of the Tokugawa family, running from 1603 to 1868. The political entity of this period was the Tokugawa shogunate....
, approximately 520,000 umbrellas were shipped north to Edo
Edo
, also romanized as Yedo or Yeddo, is the former name of the Japanese capital Tokyo, and was the seat of power for the Tokugawa shogunate which ruled Japan from 1603 to 1868...
each year. By the beginning of the Meiji period
Meiji period
The , also known as the Meiji era, is a Japanese era which extended from September 1868 through July 1912. This period represents the first half of the Empire of Japan.- Meiji Restoration and the emperor :...
, production increased to 12 million umbrellas each year and international sales first began on a widescale. Production continued to increase until its peak during the Shōwa period
Showa period
The , or Shōwa era, is the period of Japanese history corresponding to the reign of the Shōwa Emperor, Hirohito, from December 25, 1926 through January 7, 1989.The Shōwa period was longer than the reign of any previous Japanese emperor...
, which 15 million umbrellas being produced each year, but modern production has dropped to just tens of thousands of umbrellas.
Features
Gifu Umbrellas are made using Mino washiMino washi
is a type of Japanese paper created in Gifu Prefecture, Japan. In 1985, it was designated a Traditional Craft by the Ministry of International Trade and Industry .-History:...
, a strong local paper. A number of natural materials are used in the production process and there are a limited number of people who have the skills to make the umbrellas.
Among traditional crafts in Japan, Gifu Umbrellas are particularly difficult to make with over 100 steps involved from start to finish. Because of all the skills required to make the umbrellas, it would be difficult for one person to make an umbrella through each step.
See also
- Mino washiMino washiis a type of Japanese paper created in Gifu Prefecture, Japan. In 1985, it was designated a Traditional Craft by the Ministry of International Trade and Industry .-History:...
- Gifu LanternsGifu Lanterns, or Gifu Paper Lanterns, are a special product of the city of Gifu in Gifu Prefecture, Japan. They have been labeled as one of Gifu's traditional crafts...
- Gifu FansGifu Fansare hand-held fans created as a special product of the city of Gifu in Gifu Prefecture, Japan. They have been labeled as one of Gifu's traditional crafts and have a history dating back to the Muromachi period...
- Traditional Japanese Umbrellas (Fujisawa Shoten Co., Ltd. homepage)