Father's Day may not have as much presence as Mother's Day, but do you have any fond memories of it?
Today, I would like to share a Father's Day story from one of our staff at Komiya Shoten...
The title is "Ideal Umbrellas and Father's Day"!
During the long holiday in May, my wife and I had visited my husband's parents' house, and when we were about to return to Tokyo, it started to rain.
At that time, my father-in-law wanted to let me have an Ideal folding jump umbrella.
This umbrella was once all the rage and has a spring attached to the ribs of the folding umbrella to make it easier to fold.
Many people may be familiar with the catchphrase "What's that, Ideal?" from a TV commercial starring the talent Hitoshi Ueki.
My father-in-law bought it in the 1960s!
That was almost 50 years ago.
When the bones were broken, they were repaired, and when the fabric frayed, it was sewn back together, and it seems that they have been used for a long time and with great care.
The font for "Ideal" is cute, and the handle is also intricately designed.
Even though I work at an umbrella shop, I don't often have the opportunity to take a good look at umbrellas from 50 years ago, so I took the time to take a look.
The method of making the umbrellas was similar to the ones currently made by Komiya Shoten, and I could sense that they were made by hand with great care.
I wonder if the craftsman who made this umbrella is still alive and making umbrellas.
When I think about how this umbrella has protected my father-in-law since he was working hard 50 years ago,
I felt a kind of emotion in my heart.
However, after 50 years, just like humans, umbrellas start to show signs of wear.
My father-in-law offered to lend us the umbrella, and when we opened it for the first time in years,
The force of the impact caused the fabric to tear, and it was beyond repair. (Although humans tend to become thicker as they get older...)
The saddle stitching is also secure. The top fabric has ripped.
So we thought, "Let's give him a new folding umbrella for Father's Day," and the other day my husband and I gave him a Miratore folding umbrella from Komiya Shoten.
My father-in-law was more pleased than we could have ever imagined, and we were all thrilled.
"It's sturdy yet light, and I like how it forms a beautiful dome shape like a long umbrella when opened."
At first, my father-in-law said, "I'm getting older and I don't go out much, so I don't need an expensive umbrella."
We would rather encourage people to get outside more by having a good umbrella.
Umbrellas are something that accompany you when you go out, and they are a rare possession that allows you to share with your owner the beautiful scenery you see along the way and the fun memories you have while out and about.
I hope that my father-in-law will continue to go outside a lot and show me many different views through his umbrella.
Komiya Shoten is currently holding a Father's Day sale, offering men's umbrellas (umbrellas with ribs 62 cm or longer) at 10% off.
This is a limited time sale until Saturday, June 17th, so don't miss this chance to get your hands on one!
It makes a great Father's Day gift, or of course for yourself.
We look forward to seeing you all!
