AI-AI-GASA- "the courtship umbrella"

    As a courtship ritual, “dating” is a relatively new practice in Japan. Before the modern era, it was considered inappropriate for an unattached young woman to be seen in public with a man who was not her father or brother. 
    This made courtship difficult of course; but a determined young man could still find an excuse to create “alone time” with the object of his affections. Japan has a lengthy rainy season known as the tsuyu (梅雨), during which an umbrella is a necessary accoutrement when walking outside. A gentleman could ask a lady to share his umbrella, or kasa (傘) for protection from the rain. This of course gave the man a chance to ingratiate himself with the woman—without resorting to overly forward or potentially scandalous behavior.