Muza-chan's Gate to Japan

A different kind of Japanese umbrella, Tottori Shan Shan

Sun, August 17, 2014, by Muza-chan
At the first glance, it looks like a traditional Japanese umbrella, but the gaps in the canopy are giving away the fact that this is not a regular wagasa. Decorated with small bells and strips of paper, this colorful umbrella is used for dancing at the largest festival in Tottori, the Shan-Shan Festival. During the dance, the bells are making a "shan-shan" sound which actually gives the name of the festival.

Interestingly, the ritual from which the dance originated is not a "rain stopping" but a "rain making" ritual... Probably that's why the umbrella has holes in it...

Kasa-odori, Tottori
EXIF info:

Nikon Df
Lens: 24-70mm F/2.8G
Focal Length: 32mm
Aperture: F/5
Shutter Speed: 1/125s
ISO Sensitivity: ISO 1600


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