Product Features ・ Iro Shizuku
A Dual-Purpose Umbrella for Rain and Sun, Crafted with a Commitment to Hand-Dyed Expressions
Mar,12,2025
We’re excited to announce the arrival of Iro Shizuku, a rain and sun umbrella, crafted using the Hogushi Ori technique to capture the rich texture of hand-dyed fabrics.
What is Hogushi-Ori?
The traditional Koshu-Ori weaving technique known as "Hogushi-Ori" is a weaving method in which patterns are created by dyeing the warp threads using stencil prints for each color. The weft threads are then woven in using a shuttle. During the final weaving process, temporary threads in the warp are removed, causing the dyed patterns to shift slightly, creating a unique, delicate wavering effect.
How Iro Shizuku project Began
Expressing the Texture of Hand-Dyeing Through Hogushi-Ori
The first step was dyeing by ourselvs. Using natural dyes, we hand-dyed various fabric materials, selecting the patterns that would best express the beauty of dyed textiles in Hogushi-Ori weaving. These designs were then made into stencil prints, and the patterns were applied to the temporary warp threads using stencil printing.
Funakubo Orimono: A Workshop Continuing the Tradition of Hogushi-Ori
The Hogushi-Ori fabric for "Iro Shizuku" was crafted by Funakubo Orimono, a textile workshop in Fujiyoshida, Yamanashi Prefecture. They have long been producing Koshu-Ori fabrics for Komiya Shoten. For this project, we carefully discussed the stencil printing, colors, and weaving methods multiple times, ensuring the fabric was meticulously crafted from stencil printing to final weaving.
Stencil Printing with Brushes to Create Subtle Gradations
In the process of applying color to the warp threads using the finished stencil prints, each color is carefully applied with a brush, instead of squeegee, to achieve the natural shading found in hand-dyed textiles. The entire dyeing process is performed by hand with meticulous attention to detail.
The Weaving Process of Hogushi-Ori
Once the dyed threads are set in color through steaming, they are placed on a narrow-width loom, and the weft threads are woven in using a shuttle while the temporary threads in the warp are removed. This process allows the printed design to blend naturally, creating a subtle merging of two colors within the umbrella fabric. The fabric is then coated with a waterproof finish, making it suitable for a dual-purpose rain and sun umbrella.
Natural and Harmonious Color Variations
By incorporating the colors found in nature, such as those of plants and fruits, the umbrella achieves a brightness and hue that isn’t too bold, making it easy to match with various lifestyles and modern fashion. Each color has been carefully dyed, resembling a fabric where two colors gradually blend and overlap from both ends of a white canvas.
Three Frame Types in the Series
We offer three types of umbrellas: a 55cm, 12-rib long umbrella, a 55cm two-fold folding umbrella, and a 58cm top-less folding umbrella. The two-fold umbrella features a 2-way design with tie wraps on both the inside and outside, while the top-less model offers easy opening and closing with a simple mechanism.
The Long Umbrella: Strong, Lightweight, and Featuring a Beautiful Spherical Shape with 12 Ribs
The long umbrella, crafted with a bamboo handle and 55cm carbon ribs, is known for its 12-rib structure, which makes it resistant to wind while remaining lightweight for easy carrying. The elegant, well-balanced spherical silhouette enhances its beauty, showcasing the craftsmanship and the smooth, taut fabric of the umbrella.
The Two-Fold Folding Umbrella: 2-Way Design with a 2-Way Umbrella Case
The two-fold folding umbrella features tie wraps on both the front and back, allowing you to carry it like a long umbrella without having to fold it after use. The included umbrella case also has a 2-way design: by unbuttoning the back, you can store the umbrella with the ribs extended inside the case. After use in the rain, you can bundle the umbrella with the attached tie wrap and place it directly into the case without folding it. Its compact size makes it ideal for fitting in a suitcase, making it a great souvenir for travelers. The design allows you to store the wet umbrella in the case immediately, which is both environmentally friendly and prevents your clothes from getting wet. This functional foldable umbrella can be used as a long umbrella on rainy days and as a compact folding umbrella on days with intermittent rain.
The Topless Folding Umbrella: Easy to Open and Close
The topless frame, commonly used in Western-style folding umbrellas, is featured in this design. Once opened, the runner is simply pushed upward to open the umbrella. To close it, just pull the runner down, and the umbrella folds effortlessly. This easy-to-use mechanism makes it ideal for those who find traditional Japanese folding umbrellas difficult, offering a smooth and simple open-and-close experience.
A Perfect Gift for Someone Special
This series makes a wonderful gift for those who appreciate handcrafted textures and qualities, as well as an excellent souvenir for travelers from abroad. You can view and experience the products at our shop in Higashi-Nihonbashi, or you can buy online now. We ship internationally, so feel free to shop from anywhere!
