How 139-year-old Hong Kong umbrella maker weathered storms from political instability to the Japanese – but not Jet Li

Founded in the southern Chinese city of Guangzhou in the late 19th century before moving to Macau in 1923 and then Hong Kong in 1950, Leung So Kee Umbrella Factory is one of the oldest handmade umbrella manufacturers in China, with a history spanning close to 140 years.

A common thread runs through both the Leung So Kee story and much of Hong Kong’s cultural history, as the humble family business has had to adapt to changes over the past century and more.

Leung So Kee’s evolution traces the social and economic advancement of the city it has called home for over 70 years – a history that is reflected in everything from the raw materials and components used in the umbrellas to how they are made, how much they cost and how the shop operates.

It all began in 1885, when ragpicker and repairman Leung Chi-wah (also known as Leung So), who had been fixing European umbrellas for foreigners conducting business in Guangzhou, decided to make Western umbrellas himself using imported materials. He would eventually set up shop in a busier part of the city.

Back then, the Chinese used mostly oilpaper umbrellas – an art in themselves – but the bamboo frames were no match for the durability of steel.

“There was nearly zero competition – business was good and my great-grandfather had two stores in Guangzhou,” says Leung Chi-wah’s great-grandson, Leung Mang-sing, the fourth-generation owner of the business.