It always surprises me that with year after year of rainy seasons, the Japanese aren't better prepared for it. They slog through the rain and puddles with just umbrellas and arrive at work harried in soaked pants legs and waterlogged shoes. No one bothers to wear rain boots or galoshes. Umbrellas, and umbrellas only, rule.
The wise person treats his umbrella as a sword. The umbrella is used not only to defend oneself against the rain, but when it is closed can effectively be used to secure a seat on the train when throngs of people are headed for that one open seat.
When walking around outside, your umbrella should always be close at your fingertips, so you'll be ready for any surprise weeklong downpours. It is a shame that as of yet, there is no umbrella sheath, like a sword sheath, that we could attach to our waist to conveniently carry umbrellas.
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