The Making of Wagasa

A Craft Born in Gifu

Each Gifu wagasa is handcrafted in Gifu Prefecture, Japan, where artisans have preserved this centuries-old tradition through generations. Made from fine Mino washi paper, bamboo, wood, and natural materials, every umbrella is carefully assembled entirely by hand using techniques passed down over centuries.

The Process

Creating a Gifu wagasa involves more than 80 individual steps.

Every component is made and assembled by hand—from splitting bamboo for the ribs, to attaching each rib with delicate thread-lacing (Kagari), applying Mino washi paper, and finishing the umbrella with natural oils.

Today, the traditional materials themselves are becoming increasingly rare. High-quality Mino washi paper and carefully selected bamboo are becoming more difficult to obtain each year, making every authentic Gifu wagasa even more precious.

Completing a single umbrella takes weeks of skilled craftsmanship.

The Rokuro — The Heart of Wagasa

At the center of every wagasa is the rokuro, a small wooden hub that holds the umbrella’s structure together.

Although it may appear simple, the rokuro is one of the most important parts of a wagasa. Today, only a handful of artisans in Japan still possess the skills to craft it entirely by hand.

Without the rokuro, a traditional wagasa cannot exist. Preserving this rare craft is essential to ensuring the future of Japanese wagasa making.

The Artisans

Behind every Gifu wagasa are artisans who have devoted their lives to preserving this remarkable craft.

Every umbrella reflects generations of knowledge, patience, and craftsmanship, carrying forward one of Japan’s most treasured cultural traditions.