Paper Umbrella (Karakasa, specifically Bangasa rain umbrella) Purplish brown oiled? paper glued to bamboo (madake bamboo) spokes, black edging on paper, spokes are lacquered on outside and have orange tips, bamboo lever spokes inside are split so they fasten on either side of each spoke with a cotton string threaded through holes at the joints, web of white string is threaded through holes in the levers at three levels, dark bamboo handle rubbed bare in center, white plastic coil around lower handle and gold colored metal knob nailed to end of handle, one light blue and one yellow plasticized cloth wrapped around knob on top, tied with acqua colored braided cord. (See p. 84 Japanese Crafts by John Lowe)

1996.012.001