Background of development
A "Smart Parasol" for Men Walking in the City
Proposing a smart new lifestyle of carrying shade with you
In recent years, the scorching summer sun in cities has become increasingly severe.
Despite being exposed to intense direct sunlight and reflections,
many men still don't carry umbrellas due to the image of "parasols being for women."
We wanted to overturn that perception.
Its compact, square shape and uniquely horizontal design
offer comfort, portability, and a natural line of sight.
We propose a new lifestyle of carrying shade with you.
Background of Development ~ Overturning the Idea that "It's Uncool for Men to Carry Parasols" ~
The impetus for development was a question about the long-standing stereotype that "parasols are for women." Most men's parasols until now have been products derived from women's parasols, and many men felt a "sense of incongruity, like a borrowed item" due to their large size, round shape, and decorative nature. Furthermore, for reasons such as "wanting to carry one but finding it difficult to carry," "standing out," and "feeling embarrassed," men who used parasols were a minority. However, in an era where severe heat and UV protection are emphasized, the time has come for men to also seek "easy-to-use parasols" to protect themselves. ZEN SHADE is a completely new product developed to challenge this status quo and create a parasol that men working in cities and those who prefer a minimalist lifestyle would want to use.
Horizon has spent over eight years researching materials and structures, finally arriving at a small, horizontal form specifically designed to "block sunlight."
Protects your face from the harsh summer sun. Simple shape. Blocks just enough sun.
A fusion of Zen spirit, design, and functionality
ZEN SHADE is characterized by a design that adapts the spirit of Zen to modern life. Its modest presence, shielding the face and blocking sunlight, is like a small Zen tool that blends into everyday life. Its simple and understated form embodies the aesthetic of subtraction, leaving only what is necessary. By prioritizing tranquility and stillness over extravagance, it creates a sense of spaciousness in the user's mind, bringing a feeling of inner peace in fleeting everyday moments.
Functionality born from the gesture of shading one's eyes when it's bright
Shading the sunlight with your hand
ZEN SHADE’s greatest feature is its "ease of use" in daily life. When the sunlight is dazzling, we instinctively shield the sun with our palm or a document.Inspired by this natural gesture, ZEN SHADE was developed.
Smart movement to block sunlight
More comfortable than blocking the sun with your palm or documents, with ZENSHADE
Instead of being large and noticeable, it can be used quickly when needed, almost like an extension of your palm. This small, minimalist parasol blocks the sunlight with such natural movement. ZEN SHADE proposes a new, desirable parasol for modern urban life, while valuing simplicity in function and operation.
Features of "ZEN SHADE"
(1) Design
Ajirogasa of a Zen monk
The traditional ajirogasa (woven bamboo hat) worn by Zen monks during alms begging often has a square cloth attached to its top.
This symbolizes the Zen spiritual qualities of "humility" and "self-effacement."
Inspired by the square cloth seen on the ajirogasa of Zen monks, the "square silhouette" expresses Japanese culture and aesthetic sensibility. This silhouette reinterprets traditional Japanese shapes like tatami mats and shoji grids, conveying a simple yet powerful beauty.
Reinterpreting Japanese culture and aesthetics ZEN SHADE's square silhouette
(2)Portability
Weight: approx. 160g
Folded size: approx. 28 cm
(3)Functionality
