Japanese umbrellas have thick, oiled paper stuck to sturdy ribs of bamboo. In the background is Stephan Kohler, an umbrella maker and journalist who lives in Japan. His finished umbrellas are drying in the sun. This tato-gami folding case, made of thick washi paper, is used to wrap a kimono or other clothing for storage. It keeps the inside dry and free from insects.
Some fans are round, some rectangular.
Young girls used to play house with them. These folk toys are still made. Many paper layers are pasted over a carved wooden form, then the form is removed. They were invented in Japan and spread around the world. In Japan they are sometimes used on formal occasions and during buyo dance performances.