The most popular umbrella in Japan

I checked the London transport site to look for the information of Lost Property. Thinking of London's weather, the transport's inventory of 7,026 umbrellas sounds fewer than I supposed.  In Japan, JR West released its Lost Property inventory, No1.is umbrella, No.2 is hat or eyeglasses, No.3 is foods, they said. The reason why I checked them because I left my umbrella on the train a few days ago. I went to the lost property center of the Odakyu line. I said I left my umbrella on the train, odakyu staff asked me what a kind of umbrella did I lost. I answered it was just a clear and colorless vinyl one. Then guess what! He said "we won't look for that type of umbrella".

In Japan, this type clear and colorless vinyl umbrella is very popular. It costs around 100yen to 300yen or so, yes very cheap. Because it's cheap, we don't care if we break or loses it, That's one reason why it's No.1 lost property  item in this country. Actually at office, so many people use that umbrella,  it is impossible to tell  which one is mine or yous. So we take  one when it suddenly rains without meaning any harm.　People seem to think as if  the clear vinyl umbrella is freeware. Almost  automatically people collect vinyl umbrella like this.  Ah I do the same.

There are different color type and print type, but still the price is low, so they are good for novelty ad or original ads, such as Tower Record does.  When I went to The Tokyo design festa, some artists sold their paint art umbrella. And I think this is good idea--- they use for drawing constellation in this way.

Of course these umbrella are easy to break. Actually after the typhoon or big rain, we see these miserable umbrella everywhere.  As it is not so fashionable, I have to be puzzled what should I do wtih the stuffs I got. But basically I use vinyl umbrella because it is just reasonable.

Anyway when I heard the Odakyu staff said "we won't look for that type of umbrella", I complained  "Why?" I asked. "even though it is just 100yen, it is mine.  Why are you telling me I should give it up! Can you change your attitude because of the price of the thing?" blah-blah-blah.  I must tell you this to be honest,  I didn't care about losing the umbrella.  Since it was raining hard, they should have gimen me a vinyl one if they  didn't care who own's what.  Don't you think so? :-)

Comments

[c9 online gold]

You go girl!
How dare he say it's not worth looking for. His job is to help you retrieve your lost item! Your umbrella is just as functional as a Burberry one when it's raining. Why should it matter how much you paid for it?

it's like a rain umbrella in japan

[cesar]

hahahahaha

this was very funny! ^^

[Ameotoko]

How strange. Why not just give you one of the many umbrellas they have and tell you it is yours? Maybe the Lost and Found staff is the worst job at Odakyu, so that's where they demote the people with bad attitudes.

I'm finally in Tokyo. Today is supposed to be the hottest day of the year, but it looks exactly like yesterday. No need for an umbrella anyway.

[DaveC]

Agreed. The monetary value shouldn't be an issue. You lost a possession on their line so he should at least given the "lost and found" bin or whatever they have a cursory look-over for you in case it or another "disposable" type umbrella had been found and turned in so you wouldn't be left in the rain.

[Kim]

You go girl!
How dare he say it's not worth looking for. His job is to help you retrieve your lost item! Your umbrella is just as functional as a Burberry one when it's raining. Why should it matter how much you paid for it?

[tathei]

yes, i think if they don't really care the owners of thousands clear vinyl umbrella, they should just give you couple of them!