A collaboration between an online retailer and an aquarium dedicated to researching one of Earth’s most fascinating creatures.
umbrella
Other award-winning items up for sale include rags that look cuter with dirt and tea that tastes like the cosmos.
How would you like a lovely one-of-a-kind parasol made with material from an authentic kimono?
Just what is it about Japanese style umbrellas that captured Salvador Dali’s heart? HIYOSHIYA may give you a hint or two.
We’ve all experienced this frustrating situation–it’s a rainy day, and as if to add insult to injury, your umbrella suddenly decides to break in what has to be an act of sheer defiance against you.
Net users sympathized with the following clip posted by one such unlucky soul. It certainly looks like the umbrella is doing nothing but mocking him, since it only decides to open after flying clean off the handle!
Japanese inventions have a reputation for being incredibly awesome, incredibly bizarre, and, um, even more incredibly bizarre. And this latest creation is no exception: say hello to the chair-umbrella.
Ever needed a seat but all you had was a stupid, useless umbrella? Well never again! Just turn this amazing invention upside-down, open it up, sit on down, and prepare to be stared at and asked if you need to be taken to a hospital.
Umbrellas have been around for a very, very long time. The oldest record of a collapsible umbrella dates back to 21 A.D. in ancient China. While that in itself is pretty crazy, what’s even crazier is that the core design hasn’t really changed.
Never say never, though! A Japanese company has recently released an umbrella that is backwards to any umbrella you’ve seen before…literally.
It’s raining in Yokohama right now. I’m about to go pick up lunch, though, which means that when I head out the door I’ll need to take my umbrella, which is a cheap collapsible model I bought for 500 yen (US$4.60).
But should I decide to upgrade, a team of engineers in China is developing an umbrella that shields you from the rain not with a sheet of flimsy nylon, but with blasts of air, in the form of the aptly named Air Umbrella.
People from other countries may be surprised by the number of people using umbrellas on a sunny day in Japan. However, after experiencing the scorching summers in many urban centers across the land, it’s not surprising why so many carry their own shade.
Of course there’s the obvious UV protection reasons where people wish to avoid melanoma and maintain that deathly pale complexion that’s all the rage here. There’s also the simpler reason that the sun can be freaking intense during the dog days and shade is a rare commodity on city streets.
In fact it can be so powerful that even with your standard parasol, daylight can manage to creep in and threaten your well-being. That’s why someone developed the next level in umbrella technology with Rain or Shine Umbrella for Use at the Game. With a name that catchy, you know it’s gonna be good!
A couple of years ago, a friend of mine gave me an umbrella with a handle that looks like the hilt of a katana. It’s actually really well-made, while I’ve never had to use the crosspiece to protect my hand from rival swordsmen’s strikes, it does provide a nice bit of extra grip during typhoons and lesser storms with gale-force winds.
There is one problem, though. When it’s closed up, and all you can see is the handle, it looks a little too much like a samurai blade, and I feel a little self-conscious carrying it in public. So maybe it’s time I switched to something a no less unique but a whole lot more innocuous: like an umbrella shaped like a giant Welsh onion.
A white Christmas in Osaka is a rare thing and this year was no exception. All week has been back-to-back rainy days – par for the course in this neck of the world. If you happen to live in a similar climate, then these cold and damp days might have you feeling a little bummed out.
To help turn your mood around is a cute little invention by Ugoita. This umbrella has sensors attached that convert the impact of raindrops into tones. However, that’s just one of many unique electronic creations that worked.
00
Particularly during the autumn typhoon season but even through all types of weather, Japanese people like to keep an umbrella at hand to protect from the elements. Surprisingly, since ancient times when it was developed, the umbrella has seen little in the way of substantial improvements. Sure there have been upgrades in collapsibility and wind-resistance features, but the general structure of a parasol and all the arguable flaws inherent with it remain. This is where Japanese company h-concept steps in and hopes you buy their Unbrella which aims to rectify everything wrong with the traditional umbrella. For the hefty price tag of 9,450 yen (US$95) they seem confident it’s got what it takes to do it.
00
MOST POPULAR
Now
Terrace House star Kai Kobayashi says staff asked him to touch Hana Kimura’s breasts
Anime artist illustrates the differences between Japanese fashion now and ten years ago
Japanese idol singer responds to fan who gushes over how much he loves her thighs
Shinkansen bullet train tickets go half-off until spring of next year in east Japan travel push
To combat declining birth rate, Japan to begin offering “Breeding Visas” to foreigners
Japan’s beautiful new campground looks perfect for living out your Princess Mononoke fantasies
Mr. Sato tries to make himself invisible by wearing mirror paper, creates cool modern art instead
Birth of new kusoge legend — Zelda wannabe has copied Zelda music, all-original crazy bugs【Vids】
Hana Kimura’s mother slams Terrace House castmates for partying after daughter’s death
The Ultimate Battle for Ham Sandwich Supremacy – we rank Japan’s convenience store sandwiches
Weekly
- Hana Kimura’s mother slams Terrace House castmates for partying after daughter’s death
We try Muji’s new “communist” suit【Photos】
Studio Ghibli releases new plush characters that turn into eco-friendly reusable shopping bags
Full-size Evangelion statue appears at Japanese theme park with entry plug synchronization tests- To combat declining birth rate, Japan to begin offering “Breeding Visas” to foreigners
Consul General of Japan in New York plays and slays Jimi Hendrix style Star Spangled Banner【Vid】
Old dog shows new trick with very Japanese solution to toilet paper wall challenge【Video】
Strange bird outside Shinjuku Station looks like a reincarnated salaryman
The most satisfying McDonald’s burger, according to Japanese customers
Sailor Moon Wedding Dress Collection lets you dress like Usagi, Tuxedo Mask as you say I do【Pics】
Monthly
Customers race to Uniqlo for new summer face masks, but are they really worth the hype?- Sailor Moon Wedding Dress Collection lets you dress like Usagi, Tuxedo Mask as you say I do【Pics】
Pandemic hair trend: A haircut to match your mask not your face- Full-size Evangelion statue appears at Japanese theme park with entry plug synchronization tests
Do the new Uniqlo summer face masks really deserve bad reviews?
How to make your own sold-out Uniqlo Airism mask in less than two minutes- Hana Kimura’s mother slams Terrace House castmates for partying after daughter’s death
- We try Muji’s new “communist” suit【Photos】
Parasite movie releases free official wallpapers to download as backgrounds for video calls
Japanese-American singer Hikaru Utada opens a discussion on racism on Japanese Twitter
Yearly
Adult Cream Pie coming to McDonald’s Japan
Jason calls off Friday the 13th activities due to coronavirus
Japan goes beyond rice cookers with new curry rice cooker, the kitchen gadget we need right now
Microsoft Japan’s experiment with 3-day weekend boosts worker productivity by 40 percent
Japanese cosplay model shows off thighs, but fans’ eyes are on her Nintendo 64 controller grip
Which Pokémon are you? Official quiz reveals your Poké-personality, and how to take it in English- Customers race to Uniqlo for new summer face masks, but are they really worth the hype?
- Parasite movie releases free official wallpapers to download as backgrounds for video calls
Pokémon fan learns the startling truth about the Wooloo plushie
Japanese students hold graduation ceremony in Minecraft amid school cancellation
RECOMMENDED STORIES
Japan’s beautiful new campground looks perfect for living out your Princess Mononoke fantasies
Mr. Sato tries to make himself invisible by wearing mirror paper, creates cool modern art instead
Birth of new kusoge legend — Zelda wannabe has copied Zelda music, all-original crazy bugs【Vids】
Hana Kimura’s mother slams Terrace House castmates for partying after daughter’s death
The Ultimate Battle for Ham Sandwich Supremacy – we rank Japan’s convenience store sandwiches
Anime artist illustrates the difference between Japanese schoolgirls now and ten years ago
Neon Genesis Evang-olfian? Adorable Angel and Pen Pen plushies are here to keep clubs safe
No screaming allowed on Japanese roller coasters, and new video shows it can be done【Video】
The first ever Doraemon ride is coming to Universal Studios Japan this summer
Amazingly beautiful cakes inside fruit – Our newest Japanese dessert obsession【Photos】
We try Muji’s new “communist” suit【Photos】
Do the new Uniqlo summer face masks really deserve bad reviews?
-
