Japanese Gifts / Traditional Arts & Crafts - Online Shop Saiga > Sensu (Folding fan) > about Sensu

<Sensu>

Folding fans are traditional craft which make Japan the origin and have the history from the Heian period (794-1192). The first folding fan connected and combined one end of the board of a long and slender thin tree. The fan became the elegant personal effects adorned with the picture at the time which was prevalent among Imperial Court women. However, these folding fans belong to aristocrats, priests, and Shinto priest, and general use was forbidden. When the Kamakura period came, the Japanese folding fan was brought into China by the Zen monk etc. Then, a big change took place to the folding fan. The paper pasted only on one side till then changed to the style pasted on both sides. And the folding fan which accomplished change in China was imported at the Muromachi period. That style came to be used also for a Japanese folding fan. Although the folding fan might be used for the turning point of life even now, it was once indispensable to Japanese people. The folding fan used especially at the time of a wedding had the meaning of a talisman which protects the body from a calamity at the same time praying for lots of luck.

<The kind of folding fan>

There are many kinds of folding fans and are used at various places.

1. For ceremonies

1. Hiougi: Hiougi sews up the thin board of a hinoki (cypress) by silk thread. This is the oldest fan of a style and is for Shinto priests, priests, and Imperial Court ladies.
2. Chukei, Bonbori, Onatusen: A priest uses this for a ceremony.

2. Entertainments and for exercise

1. Shimaiougi: This is used for Noh or kabuki.
2. Maiougi: This is a showy folding fan uses for Japanese dance.
3. Chasen: This is a portable small folding fan for a tea ceremony.

3. For ceremonial occasions

1. Shugisen: This is used for happy events, such as an engagement and a wedding.
2. Mofukusen: This is a black fan used in the case of a funeral.

4. For cool breeze

1. Natusen: This is a folding fan for using usually. There are many kinds which elaborated the shape and pattern of the framework.
2. Kinusen: This is a folding fan which uses silk instead of Japanese paper.
3. Byakudansen: This is the fan made from aromatic tree(sandalwood).

<How to open a folding fan>

Please open the folding fan slowly with both hands as if it drew the circle.

Caution: Don't pull right and left! It breaks.

<Note> With the nature of a computer display, the tint may seem to differ from the tint of an original.