Japan launches silent umbrella for blind people
OSAKA - Japan's rainy season is just around the corner, and while the Pitter-patter of rain on an umbrella may provide comfort to many, it can be a bothersome headache for those with impaired vision who depend more on their ears to tell them about their surroundings. The silent umbrella, developed by the city of Osaka-based umbrella maker Maruyasu Yougasa, adds that the new product is also helpful to prevent heatstroke and block ultraviolet rays. The umbrella, which is made up of 65 centimeters across and weighing 450 to 480 grams, is available in three patterns. The sound-muffling feature of this device is thanks to its two layers of fabric - an outer mesh that breaks up the raindrops, and an inner layer that keeps the user dry.
The creation of the silent umbrella started with a single phone call from a blind person with a visual impairment, asking, Could you make an umbrella that quietens the sound of rain? The firm's workers had never thought about this need, but they came to understand how important sound was to people with visual disabilities out and about on foot and launched into the project.
The company tested a variety of fabrics and designs, and through a process of trial and error, they struck on the two-layered idea, drawing on laundry nets for inspiration. The silent umbrellas went on sale in October 2022, and Maruyasu Yougasa has sold about 30 of them so far.
The hardest part of the development process was figuring out how much space to leave between the layers. It turned out to be difficult to balance sound suppression with keeping the fabric taut on the umbrella's ribs. The firm utilized carbon for the outer layer ribs and glass fiber for the inner set to lighten the umbrella. The shaft is made of aluminum.
One blind woman who picks up one of the new umbrellas said enthusiastically, When there's a light rain falling, it seems like it's stopped. The umbrella industry was impacted by the coronavirus pandemic, as people began avoiding going out. The craftspeople who make handmade versions are also getting older, and many companies are shutting their doors for good. In addition, Japan's umbrellas are now made in China. Companies like Maruyasu Yougasa, which make umbrellas from-house are becoming a rarity. And so a lot of people are riding on its new silent umbrella, including the fates of its 10 or so workers.
I invite everyone to try out the comfortable sound of falling rain, Mr. Kawaguchi said, adding that there will eventually be more patterns available. The company has also published a YouTube video analyzing the sound of rain on a regular umbrella and its silent version, among other product information.
A silent umbrella costs about $140, including taxes and delivery. Inquiries can be made by phone at 06 6713 - 8308 in Japanese, and by email at info maruyasuweb.jp.