Area ▶︎ GIFU
The beauty in rain! Let’s have your own gorgeous Wagasa
The thread stitching with the geometric patterns for Gifu Wagasa, Paper umbrella
On this experience tour, participants can try the thread stitching techniques used to make the delicate flowers made of string bloom, which are found on the inside of Japanese umbrellas (Wagasa). Pass the threads through the holes found in the bamboo ribs of the umbrella for decoration and for reinforcement. You can choose the color of umbrella that you like, and take it home right after you’re finished.
Around nine out of 10 of the Japanese umbrellas made in Japan are produced in Gifu. From the Meiji era to the second decade of the Showa era, more than one million wagasa were made, owing to the fact that the Nagara River region is a bountiful source of Japanese paper and of bamboo forests. Although the number of wagasa craftworkers has dwindled and the materials are harder to come by, new craftworkers have come onto the scene to carry on the tradition.
■ Duration
4H 30M(Include 20mins.break)
■ Steps
1.Thread stiching with a teacher（3H30M）
2.Add the finishing touches（30mins）
3.Final touch~finished（30mins）
■ Price
65,000JPY
(Include an umbrella & 1 drink )
■ Location
Gifu’s artisan house CASA
（29 Minatomachi, Gifu-city, Gifu pre.）
3 mins walk from the bus stop “Nagarabashi”
■ Pre-order
7days prior to your scheduled arrival date
■ Capacity
4 travelers ( Minimum :2* ）
* Also available 1 person alone at the additional charge +3000 JPY
■ What to bring
None.
3 POINTS
1. Participants can create their very own wagasa that they can
take as a souvenir of their many memories here, using an
umbrella shaft that shows off the vivid sensibilities of young
female craftworkers. You’ll look forward to rainy days.
2. It’s exciting to be snugly enveloped in the beautiful colors
and shapes of these umbrellas, and to see the design slowly
taking form.
3. This activity is perfect as a release from stress and to
vitalize your brain, as it’s a simple task yet one that requires
your focus to carry out.
■ NAVIGATOR
Mikiko Kawai from Kasabiyori
Borned and grown up in a family of Wagasa maker in Gifu. Now she is independent and challenge creative design.
Miki Takahashi from Takahashi Wagasa
She built a career in a Wagasa maker in Gifu and started her own business. Her detailed and beautiful work have a good reputation.
■ Choose your color
Please choose a color before you make a reservation and let us
know in the reservation form.
Note: There is a possibility that a few of those colors will be
out of stock.
Click to zoom
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Explore GIFU
Note
1. This is a tour where you can talk with actual craftworkers.
These craftworkers are taking time out of their own busy work
during the day to help, so we ask that you strictly respect their
time and schedule.
2. Experience tour times may vary per person. Please inform us of
the time you need to finish by, if you need to be on time to take
public transportation or have other plans on your agenda.
3. The tools and fittings used by the craftworkers are valuable
personal property. Do not touch any of these items inside of the
atelier without permission.
■ Cancellation
・ Experience tours may be cancelled in the event of bad weather
such as typhoons or heavy rain, in consideration of your
safety.
・ The tour may be cancelled in the event of unforeseen
circumstances on the part of the facilities accepting visitors or
the craftworkers.
・ Cancellations will be decided by 5p.m. prior to the tour day.
Be sure to provide an e-mail address where we can get a hold of
you on the day before the tour.
