#Japan #Tokyo #Asakusa #Umbrella #Maple Handle

Upcoming Event: Premium Maple Handle Fair

As we celebrate our 78th anniversary, Maehara Kouei Shoten, a venerable umbrella manufacturer, is excited to announce the opening of the 'Premium Maple Handle Fair' at our flagship store in Asakusa Musashimachi, starting from October 11th.

This year, we reflect on our rich history—since our establishment in 1948, we have preserved a selection of vintage handles that were crafted during the Showa era. Many of these unique pieces are no longer available today, making them truly special. For this event, we will focus on exquisite maple handles, showcasing our craftsmanship and dedication to quality. This marks the second installment of our one-of-a-kind handle fairs, following the successful Animal Handle Fair held last April.

What to Expect from the Premium Maple Handle Fair

The maple wood we select for our umbrella handles is renowned for its durability and ease of processing. Each premium maple handle we present is uniquely finished, employing special materials and techniques that differ from our standard products. Due to the depletion of raw materials and the decline in artisan craftsmanship, these one-of-a-kind handles are rare finds, and we have prepared around 40 pieces for this event. We invite you to personally experience their quality and select the handle that speaks to you. Each umbrella crafted will be truly one-of-a-kind.

Fair Details

• - Date: October 11th (Monday) to November 8th (Saturday), 2025.
• - Location: 2nd Floor, Tonbo Youkasa Maehara Kouei Shoten, Asakusa Musashimachi

Unique Characteristics of Maple Wood

Maple wood is known for its fine grain and smooth finish, which shines beautifully with polishing. It possesses excellent shock resistance and durability, while also being easy to work with for processes like painting and carving. This makes it a popular choice for umbrella and cane handles.

Special Handle Varieties

1. Violin-style finished handles - These handles feature a distinctive vintage-style finish with a wide color selection. The unique individual variations, such as the degree of paint fading, give each handle character. The color deepens over time, enhancing its allure.
- Violin-style handled (For ladies)
- Violin-style handled (For men)
2. Burl wood handles - Crafted from naturally occurring growths, these rare materials exhibit unique swirling and wavy patterns. No two are alike, and they have been utilized in high-end crafts and furniture for ages.
3. Artisan-designed unique pieces - Including handles embedded with high-quality Swarovski crystals or with intricate wirework, these creations reflect the high skill level of our artisans. Each is a detailed, one-off design.

Highlights of the Fair

The event will feature around 40 rare and exclusive vintage handles displayed in our spacious second-floor showroom in Asakusa Musashimachi. You can enjoy an assortment of stand-alone handles and staff-recommended umbrella combinations to craft your unique umbrella matching your preferred style.

Price Reference

Below is an overview of selected umbrellas and their prices (including tax):

• - Ladies’ umbrella Rossano-Carbon

- Maple Vintage Handle / Burl (Blue) - ¥48,400

• - Ladies’ umbrella Prisis-Carbon

- Maple Violin-style Handle (Yellow) - ¥47,300

• - Ladies’ umbrella Ele-Shadow

- Maple Vintage Handle / Swarovski - ¥34,100

• - Men’s umbrella Liberiora-Carbon

- Maple Violin-style Handle (Gold) - ¥47,300

• - Men’s umbrella Kashmir

- Maple Hook Handle - ¥46,200

Prices may vary based on specifications. Custom orders are also available.
Being vintage pieces, some may have minor blemishes.
*As these are unique items, they will be sold until they run out, but we are happy to accommodate stock purchases post-event if available.

About Asakusa Musashimachi Store

Located near bustling Asakusa, our flagship store in Musashimachi preserves the vibrant atmosphere of craftsmanship. Traditionally known as a town of artisans, Kuramae is rich with wholesaler and workshop heritage, offering an authentic old-town experience.
Visitors can explore a comprehensive lineup of men's and women's umbrellas, parasols, and all-weather umbrellas. A range of products exclusive to the store not available online or in department stores can also be personally examined. Additionally, we provide custom order services and repairs, guided by our experienced staff who are eager to assist with your needs.

Store Information

Tonbo Youkasa Maehara Kouei Shoten Asakusa Musashimachi Store

• - Address: 2-14-5 Musashimachi, Taito City, Tokyo
• - Phone: 03-3863-4617
• - Reservation Page

Company Overview

Maehara Kouei Shoten Co., Ltd.

• - Established: 1948
• - Headquarters: 2-14-5 Musashimachi, Taito City, Tokyo
• - Phone: 03-3862-5788
• - CEO: Shinji Maehara

Specializing in domestically produced Western-style umbrellas with traditional craftsmanship, since its inception, Maehara Kouei has participated in the repair of the late Empress’s parasol in Showa era, and has become synonymous with producing umbrellas for the Imperial family and ceremonial events. With the philosophy of enriching lives through umbrellas, we pour our passion into each piece, ensuring timeless quality for future generations.