# Shade-Providing Sundials The Clock Parasol by Kota Nezu Cleverly Tells the Time By Meghan Young | Published 2011-03-03 | Art & Design Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/clock-parasol References: [ohgizmo](http://www.ohgizmo.com/2011/02/28/clock-parasol/) & [691236](http://www.691236.com/index_e.html) There is something archaically cool about the Clock Parasol. It is essentially a [shade-providing sundial](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/radius-clock) that you can tote around on hot summer days for at least two glaringly obvious and practical reasons. Conceived by Japanese designer Kota Nezu, the Clock Parasol requires that you know your north, south, east and west directions so that you can accurately determine the time. Therefore, a [handy compass](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/skymill) is embedded into the umbrella's handle. Once you position yourself so that north points right at you, you then proceed to read the clever number grid graphic on the Clock Parasol. The vertical lines represent the hours and the horizontal lines indicate the Summer and Winter solstice and the Spring and Autumn equinox. Priced at roughly $35, the Clock Parasol is a [unique umbrella](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ori-umbrella). ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 2.3/10 - Popularity: 25% | Activity: 37% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/artdesign) > [Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/design) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Portable Sundials:** The Clock Parasol by Kota Nezu offers a portable and practical way to tell the time using a shade-providing sundial. - **Compass-embedded Design:** The inclusion of a compass in the umbrella's handle allows users to accurately position themselves and read the time on the Clock Parasol. - **Innovative Graphic Grid:** The number grid graphic on the Clock Parasol provides an intuitive visual representation of the hours and seasonal changes. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Outdoor & Leisure:** The Clock Parasol presents opportunities for outdoor leisure companies to develop innovative and functional shade-providing products. - **Travel & Tourism:** Tourism companies can leverage the Clock Parasol's portability and unique design as a selling point for travelers seeking practical and stylish accessories. - **Design & Fashion:** The Clock Parasol showcases the intersection of design and fashion, inspiring designers and fashion brands to create innovative and aesthetically pleasing sun protection solutions. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Connected Dual Functioning Umbrellas](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hulasol.md) - [Minimal Global Desk-Side Clocks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/world-clock-1.md) - [Celestially Inspired Desk Clocks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/astral-desk-clock.md) - [Time-Human Relationship Sundials](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/civil-architecture.md) - [Tubular Illuminating Clocks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/spacetime-blade.md) - [Intentionally Foggy Clock Designs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/kehai-clock.md) - [Mechanical Digital Mesmerizing Clocks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/triaxial-numechron-clock.md) - [Dynamic Shadow Wall Clocks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/textural-wall-clock.md) - [Subtle Lifestyle-Changing Clocks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/superlocal-clock.md)