kata kata × Komiya Shoten's all-weather folding umbrella is on sale from today!
This all-weather umbrella is a collaboration between Komiya Shoten and the husband-and-wife unit "kata kata," consisting of Takeshi Matsunaga and Tomoe Takai, who create original dyed fabrics using stencil dyeing and chusen dyeing techniques. Please take a look.
In this third installment of our special feature, we will introduce how umbrellas are made and provide details about the products.
Setting by Iedokoro / Movie & Photo by Orita / Photo & text by Tagawa
Part 1: The thoughts of the kata kata duo and Komiya Shoten
Part 2: Leaf design on umbrella fabric
katakata Leaf All-weather folding umbrella Color: (from left) tin blue, moegi, yellow, light orange Price: 22,000 yen (tax included)
[Product: katakataleaf508ori]
In the second session, the fabric was created using the traditional Yamanashi "hogushi weaving" technique to create the katakata "leaf" design, and this time, an umbrella craftsman will be crafting it into an umbrella. This process will be handled by Tanaka, a craftsman in our manufacturing department.
The key to making an umbrella is making a wooden mold. A new one is made for each type of umbrella, so for this product, we start by making a wooden mold. After many adjustments, we use the completed wooden mold to cut the fabric, then sew it in. This is the first time we've worked with a polyester and cotton blend, so we work extra carefully and cautiously, checking the degree of stretch.
After sewing the ribs and fabric together and finally completing the prototype umbrella, I noticed that the fabric stretched more than I had expected. I thought that the difference in the texture of the different materials, natural cotton thread and synthetic polyester thread, had affected the stretch of the fabric, so I used a plane to make millimeter-level adjustments to the wooden mold.
The umbrella was made using a wooden mold that was carefully refined over time, and has a beautiful curve, making it a product that we are proud to introduce.
There are many things you can't know until you actually try the fabric for the first time, and it takes many adjustments before the perfect shape is finally completed. That's why the joy when it's finished is all the more special, and this is what makes it rewarding. We have put together a video of the actual umbrella making process, so please take a look.
Next, we will introduce the features of the umbrella.
One of the attractions of this umbrella is the umbrella bag, which can be turned into a vertically long "eco bag." It can hold an umbrella both folded and unfolded, and can be used as a bag. When not in use, you can roll it up and fasten it with a button, so it doesn't take up much space in your bag.
The second feature is the name bands attached to the inside and outside of the umbrella. It is a 2-way umbrella that can be closed like a long umbrella even with the ribs extended. Although it is a folding umbrella, it can be carried around like a long umbrella and can be stored in an umbrella bag as it is.
The third is a ring-shaped bamboo handle that you can put your arm in. The bamboo texture matches the natural feel of the fabric, creating a stylish and elegant look.
In this way, the "kata kata leaf folding umbrella" is an umbrella that combines "design", "tradition" and "function". You can see the actual umbrella at the Higashi Nihonbashi shop, so please come and have a look.
