Let's learn Japanese traditional umbrella!

Hello from SANTAKA!
Today, we’d like to introduce something deeply rooted in Japanese culture—the wagasa, a traditional Japanese umbrella.

At first glance, a wagasa may look simple, but once you learn how it’s made and how it works, you start to see just how thoughtful its design really is.

What Is a Wagasa?

A wagasa is a traditional Japanese umbrella made from natural materials such as bamboo, washi paper, wood, and thread.

Compared to Western umbrellas, wagasa have many more ribs—often over four times as many.
Because of this structure, when opened, a wagasa spreads out in a straight, refined shape rather than forming a rounded dome.

How Is It Different From a Western Umbrella?

One of the most interesting differences is how a wagasa folds.

Western umbrellas fold with the fabric wrapping around the outside of the frame.
Wagasa, on the other hand, fold with the paper tucked inside.

This means the wet surface stays on the inside when closed, helping prevent water from dripping and keeping nearby items dry.
It’s a small detail, but one that shows how carefully wagasa were designed for everyday use.

Beauty Shaped by Function

The structure of a wagasa isn’t just about looks.
Its design balances practicality and elegance—strong yet lightweight, simple yet refined.

This kind of thinking is common in Japanese craftsmanship: designs that quietly support daily life while remaining beautiful.

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How Wagasa Inspired Bloom

This unique structure is what inspired Bloom, an interior basket we offer at SANTAKA.

Bloom takes the folding mechanism of a wagasa and reimagines it for modern living.
When opened, it spreads gracefully like a flower in bloom.
When closed, it carries the calm, understated feel of a folded umbrella.

Bringing Tradition Into Everyday Life

By learning about wagasa, we hope you can see how traditional Japanese ideas continue to inspire everyday objects today.

Bloom is just one example of how heritage can quietly live on—not as something distant, but as part of daily life.