Japanese Umbrella 'Estampe'

The umbrella painted with a waterside village scene

Open this umbrella and you're looking at a whole landscape. Across the canopy, a waterside village unfolds: wooden houses raised on stilts over still water, a small footbridge, a sampan boat gliding past, green willows trailing at the edge and an orange-blossomed tree in the corner, all under a soft lavender sky.

Painted in a loose, watercolor-and-ink style, the scene has real atmosphere — the houses sketched in confident strokes, the water washed in pale greys and greens, the willows dabbed in fresh green. It reads like a travel painting, the kind of quiet riverside view that rewards a long look. The orange-blossomed tree in the corner adds a single warm note to the cool riverside palette.

It's a traditional wagasa, with a paper canopy stretched over slender bamboo ribs radiating from a red-painted center hub. Held overhead, the painted village glows softly through the paper, the bamboo spokes crossing the scene like fine ruled lines.

The landscape motif sets it apart from the floral parasols, making it a striking choice for those who prefer scenery to blossom. As a decorative and ceremonial piece, it suits photography, display and traditional dress rather than wet-weather use.

Built on a bamboo handle with an 80 cm canopy and a light 250 g body, it's crafted in the traditional way with an eco-minded approach. A scenic parasol for anyone who'd rather carry a painted landscape than a single flower.

Held up to the light, the washed greys and greens of the village glow softly through the paper, giving the scene a quiet, atmospheric depth that photographs beautifully. Kept for dry-weather occasions and handled gently, the parasol holds its painterly landscape charm through long use as a decorative centerpiece.

• Traditional craftsmanship
• Bamboo handle
• 80 cm diameter
• Lightweight: 250 g
• Eco-friendly design