According to legend, Japan is the homeland for traditional fans. The beauty of the fans goes back to when the first Japanese folding fan was said to have been invented sometime between the 6th and the 9th century. Japanese fans have lots of culture and meaning behind them which is portrayed through the beautiful paintings which tell stories such as the several Japanese war fans that were used by the Samurai.
The Two Types of Japanese Fan
There are two types of Japanese fans one is called the Uchiwa fan which is the flat circle type made out of bamboo or wood, these are often for displayed for decoration in the home. The other type of traditional Japanese Fan is called Sensu or Ogi. This fan has a basic structure made from bamboo with a sheet of either thick paper or material that has been decorated with paint over the top. Both of the types of fans have calligraphy or beautiful pictures painted on the front of the fan.The Uchiwa style fan cannot be folded like the Sensu type of fan.
How Japanese Fans are Traditionally made
Japanese Fans are traditionally made by Japanese makers such as the ones that are for sale on Atelier Japan from the maker Komaruya. All traditional Japanese fans are handcrafted from only the finest of bamboo or durable wood. Once the base of the fan has been made then it is traditionally covered with washi paper or silk which is also used for the traditional Japanese sliding doors in the homes.
How Japanese Fans are Traditionally used
Japanese Fans can be both used to cool you down in the scorching hot weather or can be displayed in and around the house using a Fan stand and these can usually fit two fans on them. One of the main advantages of the folding fan is that it can be closed and carried anywhere with you ready for use and will only consume a small space in a bag or pocket, however the Uchiwa style fan are not as popular or as commonly used because of the reason that it is not as portable.
What Japanese Fans Symbolize/ History / Decoration
Japanese Fans can symbolise many different things and most of them have stories behind the paintings that are beautifully painted on them.The folding Japanese Fan is very important in the culture of Japanese society as the fan is meant to provide cool breeze in the hot weather these fans can also be associated with some Japanese dance forms. They are also associated with the cultural aspects of Japan. Japanese fans themselves are seen as a symbol of prosperity as they are spread out once opened. When gold colour is used on the fans it is seen as a sign of wealth and when red is used it is considered to be a lucky colour. When birds are paired on a fan it is a symbol of a loving couple so it is important that when purchasing a traditional Japanese fan that you think about what the imagine present symbolises. Cherry blossom is often used on most fans and this symbolises wealth and good luck whereas roses and pine trees symbolise love.