June is the rainy season.

The calendar on the wall has also changed from photos of skies and greenery to hydrangeas and misty landscapes.

Recently, it seems as if humid, muggy air is falling from the gray sky, a sign of early summer.

The term "ume no ame" (plum rain) for this season is said to have originated from the ripening of plum fruits.

Plum blossoms begin to bloom as early as January, and the fruit is already fully ripe, with the year nearly half over.

From now on, long-sleeved clothes will probably have to stay in the closet for a while until the leaves change color.

And during this season of gloomy skies, you'll be concerned about the weather forecast even if you're going out for a short while.

One cloudy afternoon the other day, I was walking along feeling this way when I came across a small graffiti of a shared umbrella symbol on a white block wall alongside a bus stop.

Judging from the position of the graffiti, it looked like it was written by an elementary school student.
Graffiti is not allowed, but seeing the shared umbrella symbol for the first time in a while made me smile.

The graffiti of the shared umbrella seems to contain a slightly secretive confession or suggestive message.

Sharing an umbrella is a symbol of intimacy

Speaking of bus stops...that was a few years ago.

I was in a small town in the Kinki region for work and was waiting for a bus in the light rain.

When the bus arrived and I was about to board from the back, a young man and woman got off from the front and walked away, sharing an umbrella.

Under the large, wide umbrella the man was holding, I noticed that the woman was holding another umbrella in one hand.

The color of the thin umbrella, which was neatly rolled up, was a very vivid brilliant blue.

Even though they had two umbrellas, the way they walked together under one umbrella made me think they must be close friends.

In my practical psychology classes, which is my job, I teach that feeling close to others is an essential foundation for building relationships.

Sharing an umbrella is probably a sign that two people are close and intimate.

Or, even if the two of you are still friends, walking in the rain under the same umbrella can make you feel closer to that person.

Even if the person is not of the opposite sex, it feels as if a calm atmosphere, one that makes you feel like you can trust that person and that person accepts you, floats up for just a moment under the open umbrella.

In reality, walking alone with an umbrella will keep you dry, but sharing an umbrella gives you a sense of unity as you share safety with the other person.

Is there someone you can walk with under the same umbrella?

The average number of umbrellas owned per person is 3.6

According to a survey of umbrellas conducted by the weather information company Weathernews in 2017 (survey of approximately 73,000 Weathernews members nationwide), the average number of umbrellas owned per person nationwide is 3.6.

Many people probably have a spare umbrella in case their regular umbrella is out of order, or keep an umbrella at work, and they probably use different umbrellas depending on the situation.

The length and area of ​​the handle of an umbrella differs between those for heavy rain and those for light rain. A small umbrella won't be enough on a heavy rain day. Also, some people may include a folding umbrella in their 3.6 umbrellas.

Who will be your umbrella?

The human mind and the sky are similar.

When tears are pouring down on your heart, hurting deeply... just like an umbrella, having three friends or acquaintances who will gently offer you an umbrella may be a relief.

The rain in your heart can come suddenly, like a sudden shower.

An acquaintance from work, an old friend, or a hobbyist you don't see often, but the presence of someone who reaches out to you is like an umbrella that can save you when you're in trouble or when it suddenly rains.

Whether it's a big umbrella or a small umbrella, no matter what kind of umbrella it is, we will feel grateful for the act of offering it and our hearts will be at peace.

How many people are there who can sense the rain falling in your heart and gently offer you an umbrella, who can be your umbrella?

I hope that this rainy season will be an opportunity for you to reflect on the importance of such people while holding an umbrella.