Opening up the future of Tokyo Youkasa

Ichihara Co., Ltd., was founded in 1946 as a company that manufactures, designs sells fashion accessories. The company officially began manufacturing men’s fashion umbrellas around the late 1960s when the men’s fashion industry in Japan reached a significant turning point. Ichihara’s umbrellas are known for their unique shape called “taniochibari,” which makes the parts between the ribs form a valley-like shape. The shape of Ramuda (Ichihara’s umbrella brand) shape was developed and influenced by the round shape of European-style umbrellas. Ichihara has two traditional craftsmen who make Tokyo Youkasa: President Masako Okuda and the Production Manager Yasuaki Hayashi. Currently, the umbrellas produced at the studio are mainly made by Mr. Hayashi.

A wooden pattern is placed on a koshu-ori fabric for cutting into pieces of the exact same size. By doing so, the patterns are beautifully aligned from the center in a radial manner. “It may be efficient if we lay several fabrics on top of one another and cut them together. However, if we do so, there will be slight sagging and distortion, and the patterns won’t align,” said Mr. Hayashi.

Different wooden patterns are used to cut fabrics based on the types of ribs and fabric materials. Just like other traditional crafts, Tokyo Youkasa faces the problem of a shortage of craftsmen. Ms. Okuda has been conducting the youkasa craftsmen training course to pass on their techniques. “We don’t have to keep our techniques and knowledge to ourselves. I would like to pass them on to people who are interested in making Tokyo Youkasa.” Tokyo Yokasa opens a bright future.

Ichihara Co., Ltd.
Masako Ichihara
103-0025 2-17-9,Nihonbashi Kayabacyou Chuo-ku,Tokyo
Tel:+81-(0)3-3669-2061
Fax:+81-(0)3-3669-2065
mail@ichihara-1946.com
https://ichihara-1946.com/