The Lightsaber Parasol: Origins, Design, and Combat Use

The Sith lightsaber version, known as "The Lightsaber Parasol" or "The Lightsaber Umbrella," resembled a conventional parasol. When the handle was removed, it operated as a single-bladed lightsaber, and when the parasol auxiliary was added, it created numerous crimson plasma blades that resembled a parasol. These blades created a shield when spun.

Who Created the Lightsaber Parasol?

Kouru, a Force-sensitive Sith woman who lived during the Empire's rule, invented the lightsaber parasol. She couldn't recall the name of the Jedi Master who utilized the dark side of the Force to soothe her, but that recollection gave her the impression that the Sith had saved her. Kouru was often upset when she was young and taken by the Jedi, frequently fighting, sobbing, and shouting. It was easy for her to yell since she was a Sith.

Under her Sith instructor, she resumed her Force training. Despite their many arguments, they were loyal to and supportive of one another. During her youth, she participated in a failed Sith uprising headed by "The Dark Lord of the Sith," who was thereafter referred to as "the Ronin."

Kouru's master instructed her to smash the Jedi's lightsaber with the kyber crystal within to create a Sith lightsaber after she killed a Jedi. She claimed that it was preferable to remove the crystal and make it their own, despite her master's disapproval of the procedure. Kouru's master gave her the holographic schematics made by the Dark Lord of the Sith. Kouru's master had transformed her lightsaber into a red fan shortly after she constructed her blade, and she had created a parasol auxiliary to build her lightsaber parasol. The dark lord had also supplied ideas for additional customization for her lightsaber auxiliary.

What is Parasol Auxiliary?

Kouru received holographic schematics from the "Dark Lord of the Sith" shortly after she had manufactured her lightsaber during the Sith revolt, and she utilized these to make her parasol auxiliary.

In order to create her lightsaber parasol, Kouru utilized a Sith lightsaber accessory called the parasol auxiliary. This device was linked to the lightsaber handle and generated several blades using the energy from the kyber crystal. When the lightsaber was fully formed, it resembled a red-topped parasol, especially when it was rapidly twirled into a shield.

How the Lightsaber Parasol Works?

The energy from the kyber crystal was directed straight and then dispersed into several blades that resembled a parasol when the parasol auxiliary was attached to the lightsaber handle. The auxiliary had a central pole and ribs that opened up like a parasol. When activated, red plasma beams emerged from the tips of the ribs, giving the appearance of multiple lightsabers. The weapon was longer thanks to an additional piece at the handle's bottom, and both pieces could be removed to make it a standard lightsaber with a single blade.

When did Kouru use the Lightsaber Parasol in Lightsaber Combat?

Kouru encountered the Ronin during a raid on Genbara planet while leading her bandit party. She detonated the parasol auxiliary and engaged the former Sith Lord in a lethal lightsaber battle with just her lightsaber's single blade. She was ultimately slain by the Ronin when they outwitted her.

The discarded parasol auxiliary was recovered by the Ronin's astromech droid B5-56 after the battle. Since the new lightsaber technology could fetch a high price, the Ronin gave the auxiliary to a Sullustan shopkeeper who had helped him as payment for his services. He also broke Kouru's lightsaber hilt and took out the kyber crystal, which he ultimately gave to the village's field chief.

What Combat Techniques Did Kouru Use With the Lightsaber Parasol?

Because the lightsaber parasol's blades could spin in a storm to attack and block, Kouru was able to strike from all directions, demonstrating his bold and aggressive Sith character.

With its unique shape and inspiration from ancient weapons, the parasol's twin blades, war fans, and spear tips allowed it to spin effectively during combat.

The new design allowed Kouru to perform dazzling spinning techniques with the parasol auxiliary attached, but it also allowed her to alter strikes. The lightsaber's flexibility will enable her to shift in unpredictable ways, and sword dance styles seamlessly transition from sweeps to stabs.

Where Has the Lightsaber Parasol Appeared in Star Wars Stories?

First seen in the anime short "The Duel" from the "Star Wars: Visions" anthology series, which was produced by Kamikaze Douga and directed by Takanobu Mizuno with character designs by Takashi Okazaki, the lightsaber parasol was a parasol with eight individual blades at the top. The short film was released on September 22, 2021.

More information was later included in the follow-up tie-in book "Ronin: A Visions Novel," written by Emma Mieko Candon and released on October 12, 2021. It identified and described the weapon as the "lightsaber parasol," which is made up of six radiating blades.

According to Candon, the six-bladed lightsaber parasol's distinctive appearance and capabilities are a manifestation of its maker, Kouru's flamboyant and combative nature as a Sith fighter.