Umbrella Day (Kasa no Hi)

What Is Umbrella Day?

June 11th is "Umbrella Day" (Kasa no Hi) in Japan. The date was established in 1989 by the Japan Umbrella Promotion Council and was chosen because "nyūbai" often falls on this day. Nyūbai is the traditional marker for the start of the rainy season on the Japanese calendar. The day is meant to draw attention to the culture and history of umbrellas just as the rainy season demand for them peaks.

The Background Behind Umbrella Day

Japan is a rainy country, and umbrellas have long been an essential part of daily life. June, in particular, is the rainy season, when umbrella use peaks. Against this backdrop, Umbrella Day was created to spread awareness of proper umbrella etiquette and the broader culture surrounding umbrellas.

• Timed to the Rainy Season: Nyūbai is the day the sun reaches a celestial longitude of 80 degrees; in recent years it falls around June 11th except in leap years.
• Promoting Umbrella Culture: The day is used for outreach activities about the history, types, and etiquette of umbrellas.
• Established by the Japan Umbrella Promotion Council: The aim is to support the umbrella industry and share its cultural heritage.

The History of Umbrellas and Japanese Culture

Umbrellas have been used around the world since ancient times, but Japan developed its own distinct traditions. The transition from traditional Japanese umbrellas (wagasa) to Western-style umbrellas reflects broader shifts in Japanese lifestyle and aesthetics.

• The Origins of the Wagasa: A long-handled silk canopy called a kinugasa is said to have arrived from the Korean Peninsula in the Kofun period, and wagasa are recognized as existing by the late Heian period. They were used not only as rain protection but also in ceremonies and performing arts.
• The Spread of Western-Style Umbrellas: Western umbrellas arrived in the Edo period and spread among ordinary people in the Meiji era. The spring-type folding umbrella is said to have been developed in Japan in 1954, and the vinyl umbrella in 1958.
• A Distinctly Japanese Habit — the Clear Vinyl Umbrella: Transparent vinyl umbrellas are extremely common in Japan, valued for their visibility and low cost — a sight that often surprises visitors from abroad.

Fascinating Facts About Umbrellas

• A Nation of Umbrella Users: According to the Japan Umbrella Promotion Council, Japan uses an estimated 120–130 million umbrellas a year, said to be among the highest in the world.
• A Top Item on "Lost and Found" Lists: Umbrellas are consistently one of the most common items left behind at train stations and public facilities in Japan.
• The Evolution of Folding Umbrellas: Innovations continue, from ultra-lightweight models to automatic open-and-close designs.
• Varieties of Wagasa: Traditional Japanese umbrellas come in many styles, including bangasa (everyday oil-paper umbrellas), janomegasa ("snake's eye" patterned umbrellas), and odorigasa (umbrellas used in traditional dance).

Ways to Spend Umbrella Day

• Find an umbrella you genuinely like, and use it as a reason to enjoy a rainy day rather than dread it.
• Look into the history of wagasa and Western umbrellas to appreciate the depth of umbrella culture.
• Brush up on proper umbrella etiquette, such as how to carry one safely on a crowded train.
• Consider repairing a broken umbrella or choosing a more durable one — a small step toward being more environmentally mindful.

Your Rainy-Day Companion Is a Small Piece of Everyday Craftsmanship

Umbrella Day on June 11th is an invitation to appreciate something we usually take for granted. The beauty of the wagasa, the practicality of modern umbrellas, and the many small innovations that make rainy days more bearable — umbrellas carry more culture and craftsmanship than most of us realize. Let today be a chance to make your rainy days just a little richer.