In Japan, umbrellas don't just block rain or sun – they're spiritual tools capable of summoning spirits.

Across much of the world, umbrellas are simply used to shield people from the rain or to shade them from the sun. And while visitors to Japan may see many locals using them for these purposes, parasols also serve a far more powerful role in Japanese culture: they're spiritual vessels.

According to Tatsuo Danjyo, Professor Emeritus of humanities at Beppu University in Japan's Ōita prefecture, Japanese tradition holds that certain objects – including umbrellas – can serve as yorishiro (an object that attracts gods or spirits).

This belief is deeply rooted in history. Umbrellas first appeared in Japan between the 9th and 11th Centuries, but instead of shielding people from the weather, they served as symbols of spiritual or political power. Early umbrellas, such as the long-handled sashikake-gasa, were reserved for religious and political figures and were held by attendants over the elite.

"The Japanese tend to have an animistic way of thinking," Danjyo told the BBC. "[An umbrella's] circular shape, which resembles the shape of a soul, and the handle, which resembles a pillar… was thought to be an accessible place for a soul to descend."

Want to learn more?

Yodoe Umbrella Folklore Museum – This Tottori museum showcases the region's wagasa (traditional paper umbrellas) and their connection to local beliefs. Visitors can also participate in umbrella-making workshops.

Kyoto Tsujikura – Founded in 1690 and considered Japan's oldest traditional umbrella maker, the Kyoto atelier offers visitors the chance to craft their own miniature wagasa from a selection of colours and designs.

© BBC