Maehara Koei Shoten

Maehara Koei Shoten began in 1948, founded by Koei Maehara in Asakusa Mitsugi, Tokyo. The workshop has stayed in the same neighborhood, and its direct shop — Asakusa Mitsugi-machi — lets you compare rain umbrellas, parasols, and all-weather styles in one place.

The craft is built on four roles: weaving the fabric, assembling the frame, shaping the handle, and finishing the umbrella. The shop keeps bringing these skills together, choosing Japan-made parts whenever possible and turning them into a single, balanced tool.

Koshu-ori cloth is a key material. On traditional looms, warp threads are set by hand and woven slowly. Because the yarn is dyed before weaving, patterns and colors gain depth. Narrow-width kohaba cloth can use its selvedge as the edge, giving the umbrella a refined outline.

Precision shows up in the details. Fabric is cut with a knife, and even the cutting method is kept consistent for accuracy. Small parts are prepared and attached as the umbrella comes together. Wooden handles are bent with heat and finished in layers, and both engraving and repair or re-covering options are available.

Japanese-made parts, carefully selected

Maehara focuses on the components that define an umbrella — frame, cloth, and handle. Even when parts are harder to source, the workshop keeps choosing quality materials and finishes each piece by hand, down to the silhouette when open and the calm look when closed.

Koshu-ori fabric and the beauty of narrow-width cloth

Fabric is woven in Yamanashi at the foot of Mt. Fuji. Traditional looms set warp threads one by one and weave slowly. Dyed yarns create nuanced color, and narrow-width cloth lets the selvedge become the edge — clean, elegant, and with less waste.

Handles you can choose, plus engraving

Mostly wooden handles, with many shapes and finishes. The handle encyclopedia helps you compare materials and aging. Engraving is also available, making a gift feel personal without changing the umbrella mood.

Repair support that keeps an umbrella in service

From frame fixes to full re-covering and handle replacement, there is a dedicated repair desk. Requests can be started via forms, and the Asakusa Mitsugi shop also accepts items, so maintenance fits into everyday life.