The “Sankaku” umbrella was used in the G7 Hiroshima Summit Partner's Program.
The“Sankaku” umbrella which is made by using scraps of paper of the origami cranes sent to Hiroshima from around the world that have been made into Japanese “washi” paper, was used in the G7 Hiroshima Summit Partner's Program.
We wish the thoughts of peace in Hiroshima will spread to the world.
About The “Sankaku” is a special Japanese-style umbrella symbolizing the wish for world peace.
It is made by using scraps of paper of the origami (folded-paper) cranes sent to Hiroshima from around the world that have been made into Japanese “washi” paper.
It not only serves as a symbol of peace but also embodies the desire to pass on traditional Japanese crafts and skills that are fading away in modern times.
The opening of a Sankaku umbrella serves as a symbol of the wish for peace spreading across the world and serves to express the essence of traditional Japanese beauty.
Be sure to enjoy a Sankaku, the only “Peace Umbrella” in the world.
Sankaku Project
People around the world send origami cranes to Hiroshima, praying for peace. We wanted to reshape this desire for peace and spread it all across the world. This is how we started "Sankaku Project".
We are grateful to Hiroshima City for providing us with paper cranes in support of our project.
Process From Origami Cranes to Peace Umbrella
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Origami cranes are unfolded to return them to origami paper
After the origami cranes are individually unfolded, they are sorted by color.
Each origami crane is carefully unfolded by hand to return the paper to its original unfolded state. -
The origami paper is shredded
The color-sorted stacks of origami paper are then shredded and further divided into equal-sized portions.
The sizes and shapes after shredding are determined based on the conditions needed for making traditional Japanese washi paper. -
Scraps are used to make washi paper
The pieces of origami paper are used in the paper-making process (soaked to change to pulp, spread thin on a screen, and dried) to create the special washi paper.
The scraps of paper are soaked in water and spread evenly on a screen.
The expert skills of a craftsman are required here to provide the washi paper with an even thickness. -
Making the umbrella ribs
The long ribs consist of cut bamboo and the short ribs (bamboo ribs supporting the inner side of an umbrella) are made from cleaned splinters and bamboo fibers.
Cotton thread is used on the runner to secure the long and short ribs to the umbrella.
Next, the middle section of the long ribs are inserted into the small cracks of the small ribs, then connected by using thread and left tied together for a while. -
The umbrella cloth is affixed to the ribs (completed)
Before affixing the washi paper to the umbrella, the long ribs are spread out evenly.
Nokigami, or sheets of washi paper, matching the rib-spans are affixed to the end of the long ribs followed by affixing of the washi paper made from the origami cranes.
The cap (end tip) is mounted to the umbrella and then string is wrapped around the small ribs and runner of the umbrella to complete it.
Craftmanship Craftsmen
Products
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Sankaku
Color variations
The Sankaku is a wholly unique Japanese umbrella symbolizing both traditional Japanese beauty and the wish for world peace.
To make this umbrella, pieces of origami paper are used for a paper-making process (soaked to change to pulp, spread thin, and dried) performed by handmade washi paper craftsmen to create the special washi paper. The delicate beauty of the washi paper is preserved and imbued with the wish for world peace as symbolized by the origami cranes that are converted into a special umbrella at the hands of a master Japanese umbrella craftsman.Bingo Kasuri (traditional cotton fabric) from Hiroshima is used for the umbrella cap (end tip). Materials from Hiroshima have been used to highlight the beauty of this elegantly gorgeous Japanese umbrella.
You will surely enjoy how opening this umbrella serves as a symbol of the wish for peace spreading across the world and expresses the essence of traditional Japanese beauty.
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