Traditional Crafts

Chikugo Japanese UmbrellasHandmade Japanese paper

Chikugo Japanese umbrellas are traditional craftworks that combine beauty with functionality, and over 100 complex steps are required to produce them. Made from natural materials that have been used in Japan for centuries, such as bamboo, Japanese washi paper, lacquer and persimmon tannin, many people still consider them valuable. These umbrellas are thought to have originated at the beginning of the 17th century, when priests at the local Hiyoshi Shrine made umbrellas as a side business. The Chikugo area became a major center for umbrella production as materials such as bamboo and washi paper were readily available, and there were many skilled artisans there. Around 1945, there were around 500 artisans within the town making these umbrellas, but they have since disappeared. However, a preservation committee is passing down their techniques to a new generation in order to conserve Jojima's local traditions.