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DAVID HALLBERG |
I am amazed at the intelligent use of the sumbrella here (a phrase I’ve coined),
It was a sweltering day (36 C) and to block the sun from its harsh rays, women use a cloth umbrella. The reason for my amazement is why its not as readily available in New York, or other cultures for that matter.
Even the entrance to the Tokyo National Museum had umbrella’s at the ready for visitors, kindly asking for use inside the grounds only.
that’s true… you don’t see that much here.
except - when i attempted to wait in line at the apple store for an iphone (unsuccessful) they handed out big black apple umbrellas to the people standing in line in the sun….
i think they’re called parasols?
i think black would make the sun even hotter! i would go for a light colored one 
I live in Arizona, and folk here do it all the time…if they are smart…
I picked this habit up while I was in Japan as well. My husband (who has plenty of melonin I might add) always makes fun of me for carrying it around when I’m out in the sun, but it’s saved my pale Irish butt more times than I can count.
I have a parasol (its designed to be a parasol, somewhat smaller than a regular umbrella) but I tend to get rather odd looks when I use it in NYC.
Then again people in the US (and Europe) still seem to be surprised that I don’t *want* a tan (or in my case, freckles and a burn).
psychic. thats me, everyday. i bought my white sumbrella (can i use yr word?) from a store in Osaka for 100 yen (99 c), and nobody believed it here when i told them. 100% cotton, been using for 3 yrs now, still in good shape. and the japanese on the little tag says “made in China.”
The sun umbrellas are used all the time in China as well. If you go there during summer, part of your job on the streets is to prevent getting poked in the eye with an umbrella, especially if you’re a tall person.
According to a documentary I once saw about inventions from ancient China, parasols were invented there a very *very* long time ago!
And apparently it’s the other way around: parasols are not a special kind of adapted umbrellas, but they are the original idea that was then adapted to protect against the rain. In the word “umbrella’ you can even still recognise the root word from Latin for ’shadow’!
As for modern days/western countries: I think they just aren’t very practical, when compared to simply wearing sunscreen and a nice pair of sun glasses. Or a very big summer hat, if there isn’t much wind and you’d like to make a summery fashion statement.
That way you are protected from the sun AND you have your hands free for riding your bike/holding your shopping/waving at people you know across the street/punching thugs/whatever else you might do on an afternoon in the city. 
What about those little umbrellas with an elastic strap that fits around your head? Now that would be a fasion statement for NYC!
Actually, yes, they are called parasols, but sunbrella is much, much cuter.
They are available in NYC - I’ve got two. You can find them at the Leekan Store on Mercer at Spring street in SoHo - they don’t offer a lot of variety, mostly blue, white and red…but that’s pretty much it.
They’re the best thing ever!!
Looks like a scene from “The Concert.”
Those are wonderful.
They’re available in such a variety at the Chinese Cultural Center here. Different materials and colors…pretty awesome selection.
I’m very surprised that more people don’t use them here, especially considering the weather in Phoenix.
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