ArticleManagerJapanese umbrella sharing service アイカサ has recently partnered with the official government to launch Yona’s transparent long-handled umbrella from Weather Child, which can be rented at train stations such as Ikebukuro, Shinjuku, and Yoyogi.
Dangdang – directly above the picture:
Isn’t the yona sauce floating in the air beautiful?
The transparent long-handled umbrella has become a cultural symbol of Japan since then.
It appears in anime and witnesses the romantic encounter of the male and female protagonists.
It also appears in Japanese dramas, rendering a small and fresh Japanese atmosphere.
Even appeared in the hands of the Japanese emperor couple … The picture is unexpectedly harmonious
The “transparent long-handled umbrella” is a direct product of Japanese culture –
During the Edo period, umbrellas were just spreading in Japanese society, but most of the materials were made of cloth, and after repeated wetness, the dye would fade and even stain clothes.
So Mio Sudo, president of the White Rose Club who had just been established at the time, had a whim and made an umbrella cover out of plastic sheeting.
Probably like this, this umbrella cover was sold hot between 1951 and 1953, but the good times did not last long, and then nylon umbrellas appeared, because the waterproof processing of nylon umbrellas is easier, so everyone does not need umbrella covers.
After a period of downturn, Sudo Sano suggested: Why not just make the umbrella noodles out of plastic sheeting! So after experiencing repeated failures, finally in 1955, the world’s first plastic transparent umbrella was born!
“Only by holding up a transparent long-handled umbrella can you truly integrate into Japan during the rainy season, and it may be your first step into Japanese culture.” The tenth generation president of White Rose, Sisuto said.
Why do you say that?
First of all, as we all know, Japan is a rainy country, its average annual precipitation is about 1800mm, which is much higher than the countries on the east and west coasts of Eurasia. For example, the annual precipitation in Akita in Japan is three times that of Beijing at the same latitude, and the annual rainfall in Tokyo is more than twice that in London and Paris.
As shown in the picture, Tokyo, the center of Kanto, which concentrates one-third of the country’s population, has 115 days of rainfall in the event of abundant precipitation per year, indicating that it rains on one day in nearly three days in Japan.
It’s also too difficult to check good weather every day before you go out, and depending on the chance of rainfall in Japan, it’s not too common to encounter heavy rainstorms empty-handed.
At this time, convenience stores will slowly roll out shelves with a bunch of transparent umbrellas for 500 yen for those who forgot to bring their umbrellas.
How cheap is 500 yen? About 30 yuan, compared to the folding umbrella with an average price of 100 in Japan and the solid color long-handled umbrella with double the price, it is really super invincible cabbage.
Easy to buy, cheap and light to use, when it rains, you can run into a small shop and buy an umbrella to continue on your journey – this has become a big reason why Japanese people love transparent long-handled umbrellas
The fashion and practicality of the transparent umbrella has made it the off white of Japanese daily necessities, selling 30 units every ten minutes during the peak rainy season.
In 2017, taxi fares in Tokyo’s 23 wards, Mitaka City and Musashino City were changed from 730 yen for 2 kilometers to 410 yen for 1 kilometer, just to grab business with transparent umbrellas on rainy days.
But do you think that transparent long-handled umbrellas just rely on price advantages to seize the market? Don’t be naïve!
Take a look at this clear view! Don’t you want to see the city in the rain?
When you actually walk the streets of Japan, you will find that the streets here are really narrow and there are so many people. When it rains, the opaque umbrella is held too low to see others, and you can only stumble all the way (sorry).
But the transparent umbrella surface can ensure that you can not only not lift too high to get rain, but also see the road ahead, and avoid people when encountered.
It’s not too suitable for Japanese people who are afraid of causing trouble to others and social fear!
Secondly, the transparent umbrella is also firmly linked to fashion – the simple and elegant design is very much in line with the minimalist aesthetic of the Japanese, no matter how it is matched, it will not go wrong on any occasion.
“A transparent umbrella is the standard for hipsters on rainy days, and it is so versatile that it blends perfectly with any style.”
“Even if you’re carrying Birkin, only a transparent umbrella can make sure you’re safe when it rains.”
So said the Japanese girl. A transparent umbrella is like an LV hanging on the body, which is a symbol of status and the preservation of the status of the fashion god.
For Japan, the umbrella has long been more than just a tool, and the appearance of the first Japanese-style Japanese umbrella in the 16th century made it part of Toei culture.
From aristocratic props to kabuki and tea ceremony, Japanese umbrellas are not only about functionality, but also about artistic achievements.
If the Japanese umbrella is a representative of traditional Japanese culture, then in the rainy streets of Tokyo in the 21st century, the transparent umbrella is undoubtedly the belief in Japanese umbrella culture in everyone’s heart.
Aiko Takahashi, who runs a boutique in Shibuya, is a deep user of transparent umbrellas, and she prefers convenience stores that sell them every rainy day.
“In the eyes of those who seek sophistication, each transparent umbrella has its own unique charm, and I usually stroke each handle to ensure that its curve and material will fit the accessories I have today.”
According to her, it is the unique surface of the transparent umbrella that has made it popular and popular.
In Tokyo during the rainy season, urban beauties scrambling their heads, and the ubiquitous convenience store transparent umbrellas became their last bottoms on the streets of Omotesan-do, and the word fashion was invisibly engraved on the cheap transparent umbrella surface, so that the beauty could sleep in the last train with dignity.
Japanese icons, who prefer transparent umbrellas, call it a 500-yen luxury item, and you can buy it at every convenience store, and there are no distributions and no scalpers——
The only thing to worry about should be how to find your own one in a pile of transparent umbrellas.
So there is such news:
It’s really cheap, though! But can you not take away people’s umbrellas on rainy days
The brainy and resourceful Japanese will not be stumped by this, and in order to prevent the theft of transparent umbrellas, the Japanese have not spared much attention to umbrellas.
For example, stick a prominent word on the handle of the umbrella, “Do not steal someone else’s umbrella”.
And the bluff – watch out for high voltage!
This umbrella is equipped with a GPS positioning device, it is really a device equipped with a global positioning system!!
There are even people who specially invented an anti-theft transparent umbrella with a lock for this, there is a combination lock at the handle of the umbrella, and the umbrella can only be opened by dialing the number to the correct code.
Even if your umbrella is taken away, others will not know the password and will not be able to use it at all. In this way, you are not afraid that your umbrella will be taken by mistake.
Since it takes so much effort, why bother buying a transparent public umbrella?
In fact, the disadvantages of transparent umbrellas are not only this, and it cannot give you enough security on typhoon days, which are commonplace in Japan——
I can’t stand it at all…
But the Japanese were completely unimpressed. Anyway, on a rainy day when I forget to bring an umbrella, I will buy an umbrella at will, and then buy another one on the next rainy day when I forget to bring an umbrella. Because the typhoon is wasted, it is wasted, it is not expensive anyway.
As a result, under many influences, this transparent umbrella has simply become a major public waste in Japanese society.
However, the people of the island nation, who are very creative talented, see a business opportunity:
A Japanese company specializes in making bags made from recycled plastic bottles and umbrellas, and stains on old umbrellas that cannot be cleaned are also presented as a design element, magnificently transforming ugly ducklings into swans.
The bag also designs different styles for consumers of different identities, and I feel that this environmentally friendly and natural creation concept will make many Japanese people pay for it.
Since its birth, the transparent long-handled umbrella has been so gentle – transparent, does not block the line of sight can reduce collision accidents; Transparent, low-key and simple, restore a little hazy rainy city to everyone for people’s free imagination; Transparent, even if it is destroyed, it is beautiful, and it can be reused –
It is the most beautiful and representative cultural symbol of modern Japanese streets.
以上です。