By Reina Yamane
This traditional umbrella was used to pray for rain in Tottori Prefecture in the Edo Period. This umbrella is called “shan-shan gasa’’ because of a lot of bells are attached on the umbrella and it sounds like ting-a-ring. At end of the Edo Period, villagers in the Tottori region experienced a record drought.
So, one man started to dance to pray for rain. His name was Gorosaku. This incident is believed to be the origin of the traditional umbrella. Being passed down to the current generation, this umbrella reminds the connection between gods and the people in Tottori Prefecture.
For example, children in Tottori Prefecture dance spinning this umbrella in summer. Children make their umbrellas themselves by using glue stick, paper, and wire. The umbrellas in the photo are made of bamboo and cardboard.
Once their decorative umbrellas are made, they dance for fun. There is a big festival, called Shan-Shan Festival, has been held every year in Tottori since 1965. The festival is listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as the world’s biggest umbrella festival.
Photo by Reina Yamane
