Umbrella - Bangasa

A type of umbrella. The "Tsunbo Kasa" made by Daikokuya in Osaka in the mid-Edo period was brought down to Edo and called bangasa. Originally, it was the cheapest umbrella, with thick paper, roughly cut bamboo ribs, and perilla oil. Most were made in Osaka, but from the time of the eighth shogun, Yoshimune, they began to be made in Edo as well. The normal shape is about 3 shaku 8 sun (about 1.15 meters) in diameter, 54 ribs, and 2 shaku 6 sun (about 79 centimeters) in length. In merchant houses, they were used by store staff, and in large stores, they were marked with the store name or a number such as "Ne no Jugoban" (15th child) to lend them out during sudden rain showers. This is the origin of the name bangasa. Even in the homes of craftsmen, names were sometimes engraved to avoid being mistaken for others, but generally plain umbrellas were used.

[Takeshi Endo]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

雨傘の一種。江戸時代中期に大坂でつくられた大黒屋の「つんぼ傘」が、江戸に下って番傘とよばれた。元来、紙が厚く、骨竹の削りが粗く、荏油(えのあぶら)を引いたもっとも安価な傘である。だいたいは大坂産であったが、8代将軍吉宗(よしむね)のころから江戸でもつくられるようになった。形は普通直径が3尺8寸（約1.15メートル）、骨数は54、柄(え)の長さは2尺6寸（約79センチメートル）くらいである。商家では店の者が使用したり、大店(おおだな)では驟雨(しゅうう)のおりに貸すために屋号の印や、「子(ね)の十五番」などと番号を入れたりした。それが番傘とよばれた語源である。職人の家でも他人と間違えないため名前を入れることもあったが、一般には無地のものを用いた。

［遠藤　武］

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