Gifu Wagasa – Japanese umbrella

A timeless craft that's pleasing to the eyes and makes use of Mino Washi paper

Gifu Japanese umbrellas, known as Gifu Wagasa in Japanese, is one of Gifu City's traditional crafts. The production of Japanese umbrellas started during the Edo period, when materials like Mino washi paper were shipped into Gifu City using the Nagara River.

Mino washi paper is used for the canopy material for these umbrellas and it takes several months for skilled artisans to finish one after performing more than 100 steps in the process.