Thematic : Umbrellas On Stamps.

This namban screen depicts Portuguese explorers/traders arriving in Japan. It is an especially important work because the name of its painter, Kano Naizen, is known. Cobe City Museum, gold leaf paper; souvenir sheet of 2001 issued for the PhilaNippon exhibition.

Anno's Journeys. Mitsumasa Anno (1926) is a Japanese illustrator and writer of children's books, known best for picture books with few or no words. He received the international Hans Christian Andersen Medal in 1984 for his "lasting contribution to children's literature." He tells the stories of travels in foreign countries and through the world of science. Souvenir sheet of 2016, celebrating his 90th birthday.

The origins of the Dunkirk Carnival go back to the 17th century. At the time, Dunkirk was a port servicing cod fishing off Iceland. These risky expeditions would last six months. Many men never came back. Because of the danger, the shipowners would pay the fishermen an advance before departure. Insurance for the families. They also laid out a feast for the families before the men left. It usually ended on Ash Wednesday. Stamp of 2013; old postcard from 1912.

In 1990, the city of Berlin celebrated 250 years of public transportation. (The umbrella carried by the lady in the background may be one of the smallest seen on any of the stamps here, it measures ca. 2mm; not what one would normally include in a topical collection, but this is just for fun!)

I have a differing perspective, it certainly qualifies in my book.
Well spotted !

A commemorative sheet of stamps displaying royal regalia shows the royal umbrella of Brunei, 1981. Even today the golden umbrella is carried for the Sultan on special days.

(Hi Rod, Nice to know you are still enjoying umbrellas! K.)

Negara Brunei Darussalam (Negara = country) (Darussalam = Abode of Peace)

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The national emblem of Brunei is featured prominently on the flag of Brunei. It was adopted in 1940. There are five main components to the national emblem (crest): the flag, the royal parasol (ceremonial umbrella), the wings, the hands, and the crescent.

Another Japanese painting - a small crowd at Yokohama harbor. A Hiroshige painting. Note the small telescope being used by the lady in red. 1972

Nice emblem, Rod. K.

When Queen Elisabeth visited Ceylon in 1954 (at that time part of the empire) she was treated to a ceremonial elephant parade, complete with regal umbrellas. I don't know if she got a ride on an elephant, but she carried her own umbrella in her official car.

Suderoku, written in 1713, is one of the celebrated Kabuki Plays, known in English as "The Flower of Edo". It has already been introduced on page 4, and this contoured self-adhesive stamp is the new version of the hero. And a print of an actor from 1929. Stanp issued this year.

Nice stamp there Kris,
had to smile, I am half way through watching Akira Kurasawa's "Seven Samurai" (It's intermission...3½ hours long)
Time for a cuppa.

Traditional parasols/umbrellas are still being made of natural materials in Ethiopia. Stamp of 1987, one of three showing different styles.

Traditional umbrellas made in Ethiopia nowadays are also made of colorful and often embroidered cloth instead of natural fibers. Many of them are for ceremonial purposes. Second in the set of three 1987.

The third traditional Ethiopian umbrella made of natural materials and a picture of a luxurious one for persons of high status. 1987

Brunei commemorated Winston Churchill by showing him at his hobby of painting outdoors, 1973 (at which time Brunei was still dominated by Great Britain). It is Churchill's birthday today (1874-1965). Churchill at his easel in Geneva.