Wagasa is a waterproof device to protect from rain, and one of the most complicated handcrafts made out of a variety of Japanese traditional workmanship. It is generally made of natural materials such as bamboo, Japanese washi paper, etc. and gives an natural touch of warmth.

The main steps of the production processes are as follows.
1) Bamboo is cut into slim sticks, and dyed with color.
2) The runner is made and fixed with the bamboo tube.
3) The runner is joined first with the tips, then ribs, and stretchers.
4) Japanese washi paper is pasted on the frame.
5) Mixture of various plant oils is applied to the paper and sun-dried.
6) Cashew lacquer is applied on the surface of the paper.
7) Strings are stretched on the ribs inside.
8) Final finish.
Each step above is taken care of by a different independent craftsperson. Additionally, there is some work to fill a gap between these steps, which has been handled so far by an intermediate dealer.

In such a situation, I was unexceptionally fortunate to have witnessed the entire process at one place in Gifu prefecture, a home manufacturing base well known for its highest level of craftsmanship in Wagasa production. Taking the advantage of being engaged in every step myself, I could put my hands on every production stage to have them produced to my satisfaction. Since then, I have been developing my activities in this field in order to disseminate the skills to future generations and try to make Wagasa a useful tool in the modern time. My effort in adding expression of new value to this artistic craft enjoys wide support of people.

A unique motif of my special interest is incorporated in the designs of Wagasa umbrellas I produce. I use old paper stencils for dyeing kimonos or kimono designs, make use of custom-made paper, apply maki-e designs, or re-use kimono cloth to make parasols.
Such "old, good and traditional value" is well accepted by sensible people. Wagasa itself has a wide spectrum of mixture of Japanese traditional artistic craftsmanship. I add boldly to it other traditional techniques irrelevant to Wagasa and try to find out a way to represent the sensibility of Japanese people.

Taking pictures on the roadside with a camera under a Wagasa umbrella, I feel passers-by around me showing gentle and tender gestures toward me. It perhaps is because they feel the heart of the Japanese in Wagasa, which is stuffed with Japanese culture. The Japanese culture seems to be disappearing in the shadow from today's life. No doubt the handcraft skills must evolve, but I believe it is also a way to disseminate traditional culture to increase the number of people who have been awakened by its charm.

A new concept I am particular about now is "the partnership of denim and Wagasa" in my production activities. I am hoping that Wagasa will be more widely used as a denim fabric is, that can be seen in every place like at an entrance to an office building in town, in the modern space surrounded by concrete structures, in super fashionable towns, and at various places in foreign countries.

I have long-cherished aspiration in myself. A Japanese Wagasa umbrella differently from a western umbrella, has the external side of the paper pulled inside when folded inwards to prevent raindrops from falling in an area nearby. Thoughtful and delicate consideration of Japanese people is felt even in the design of this device. My wish is to disseminate such mentality of the Japanese by means of continuing to make Wagasa.