BRAND

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和傘、約300年ぶりのモデルチェンジ
300年前に完成されたと言われている日本の番傘。
鎌倉時代に大陸から伝来し、独自の進化をへて江戸時代中期に完成した日本の和傘。雨の多い日本の気候にマッチしていたことで庶民にも広く普及していました。
明治に入り洋傘が輸入されたことで重たく手入れが面倒な和傘はだんだん減っていきます。普段の生活で和装の習慣が減った現代では使用するシーンが少なく、伝統芸能の舞台やインテリア小物としての使われることが多くなったのです。しかし、和傘は自然の竹素材を原料とし、見た目も構造も建築的で非常に美しく
エコロジカルな商品でもあります。sinaru(シナル)*ではこの伝統的な竹構造の傘をゼロから作り直しました。竹の構造をより美しく、軽快な漆塗りに合わせて、使い易く、現代のライフスタイルにマッチした新しい和の傘ーWAGASAが生まれました。デザイナーと京都の漆会社、竹素材屋、和傘屋から生まれたこの傘は従来からの和傘の美しさをそのままに新しい素材と技法を取り入れ、懐かしくて新しい製品に仕上げています。

The first innovation in the Wagasa traditional Japanese umbrella in the last 300 years.
The first innovation in the Wagasa traditional Japanese umbrella in the last 300 years.The basic traditional Japanese umbrella design arrived from the Asian continent in the Kamakura period (1185-1333). From that time it was developed by Japanese craftsmen and reached the form that we know today in the mid Edo period (1600-1868). Umbrellas quickly became essential daily tools for most people because of high amount of rain in Japan.

However, when Japan underwent sudden social changes in the Meiji period (1868-1912) due to western influences, people started to use western style umbrellas. Compared to western umbrellas, traditional Japanese umbrellas were heavy and needed more maintenance. As a result, Japanese umbrellas became increasingly unpopular. At the same time, people began to wear more and more western style clothing thereby further reducing the need for traditional umbrellas. From that time onward, traditional Japanese umbrellas were only used for special situations such as traditional stage performances or for display or decorative purposes.

However, traditional Japanese umbrellas are inherently friendly to the environment because they are made using only natural materials. From a design standpoint they are pleasing to they eye in their simplicity.We developed the sinaru using the traditional structures of Japanese umbrellas and by taking full advantage of the remarkable properties of bamboo. The sinaru design heightens the beauty of the bamboo structure and makes innovative use of lacquer. Overall, this totally new Wagasa Japanese umbrella suits the feeling and needs of modern designs and life styles. sinaru developed through the unique collaboration of three companies: a design firm, a lacquer company and a bamboo specialist. While remaining faithful to the original beauty of traditional Japanese umbrellas, this totally-new Japanese umbrella successfully incorporates new materials and techniques. As a result, its appearance suggests something that is modern and at the same time nostalgic.The sinaru brand was produced by three companies: Qurz Inc. (a design company), Sato Kiyomatsu Shoten, (a traditional Japanese lacquer shop), and Miki Chikuzai-ten (a bamboo specialist). These three companies are working together to produce new goods based on the remarkable flexibility (shinari) of bamboo.Manufacturer and distributor: Sato Kiyomatsu ShotenDesigned by: Qurz Inc.

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***  SINARU  ***

This is WAGASA, a traditional Japanese umbrella.
We’ve upgraded it to a modern version for the first time in300years.
When it is folded, the whole shape is curved because bamboo material has flexibility.
When you undo this stopper, it opens by itself.
The frame is made of bamboo.
It has 36 main frame bones in total.
As the cloth, we use special waterproof film.
And, its transparency shows bamboo beauty.
The cloth is folded up inside. As you know, an usual umbrella is folded up outside.
( in a reverse way )
It opens in two steps, full-open and half-open.
The half-open step is useful on a windy day or on a narrow street ( when you meet others)
We have 4 colors for this umbrella.
The frame is lacquered.
We collaborate with lacquer and bamboo craftsmen in Kyoto for this project.
The umbrellas are produced in traditional Japanese umbrella factories in Kyoto.
At first, an umbrella was introduced from China to Japan.
In China, an umbrella was used as a canopy for emperors.
And, it had no mechanism for opening and closing.
Then it was improved in this function in Japan.
Today, we use plastic or metals for most products instead of natural materials like bamboo.
But in the old days, bamboo was used in various ways for daily products.
( Bamboo is a versatile material..)
As we’re interested in ecology, bamboo has been re-evaluated .
Bamboo grows fast, and it is easily bent and whittled into various shapes.
So it is a material of great possibilities and potentialities for many products in the future.

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