folding fanMain types of｜Classification by material, use, place of origin, size, and correct usage
Used in a wide range of situations from daily life to lessons and celebrationsfolding fanIt is used in a wide range of situations from daily life to lessons and celebrations. Suchfolding fanare many different types. In recent years, in addition to using them yourself, they have been given as gifts and souvenirs tofolding fanas gifts, so we would like to check how to choose the right one for you. In this article,folding fanThis article explains the different types of materials, uses, production areas, sizes, and patterns (designs) that you should keep in mind when purchasing What kind offolding fanPlease read this article for reference if you are at a loss as to what type to choose.
[By Material] Main Types folding fan
The materials used for each part folding fan affect its appearance and feel. To help you choose folding fan that suits your preferences, we’ll explain the different types folding fan based on their materials.
Paper folding fan (Kami-sensu)
folding fan paper folding fan is folding fan with a paper surface. It is made by inserting fan ribs into a base of three sheets of paper glued together. As folding fan is a common type of folding fan, it comes in a wide variety of styles. One of its main attractions is that it’s easy to choose your favorite pattern, design, and size. Some products also feature a surface made of washi paper.
Kiji Sensu (Fabric folding fan)
Fabric folding fan, also known as “cloth folding fan,” are translucent folding fan with fabric used for the fan surface. The fabric used for the fan surface comes in various types, such as silk and polyester. Unlike paper folding fan, they are made by attaching fabric to only one side of the fan ribs, so the ribs are exposed on the other side.[1]
Sandalwood folding fan (Byakudan Sensu)
This refers to folding fan folding folding fan made from the aromatic wood “sandalwood.” Sandalwood is a plant native to India that emits a fragrance from the wood itself. It is also well known as an ingredient in incense and is characterized by a gentle, sweet scent.Sandalwood folding fans not only allow you to enjoy the fragrance but also feature charming openwork carvings on the wooden fan surface. [2]
Cypress Fan (Hiougi)
A hinoki fan is a type folding fan made by stitching thin hinoki wood panels together with silk thread and securing them with a pivot. It originated during the Heian period, when paper was a precious commodity, and has a history of being used at the imperial court.Even today, many modern hinogi-ogi are high-end products, featuring elaborate maki-e designs on the fan surface and adorned with decorative cords. folding fan are also popular as gifts and as indoor decorations. [3]
Paper folding fan
Edo fan
Fabric folding fan
Tenugui folding fan
Sandalwood folding fan
Cypress Fan
[By Purpose] Main Types folding fan
You may want to choose from a variety of folding folding fan depending on the season or occasion. Here, we’ll introduce the main types folding fan based on their intended use.
Summer folding fan (Natsu Sensu)
Paper folding fan used in the summer are called folding fansummer folding fan.” A key feature of summer folding fan is that they are used to fan oneself to stay cool. Generally speaking, the term folding fan often refers to summer folding fan.It is worth noting that while paper folding fan are called “natsu-ōgi” (summer fans), fans made of cypress wood are sometimes referred to as “fuyu-ōgi” (winter fans).
Decorative folding fan (Kazarisen)
Decorative folding fan are folding fan used as interior decorations in homes, stores, and other settings. They are displayed by propping folding fan up in an open position. Unlike summer folding fan, they are not used for fanning. The surfaces folding fan decorative folding fan feature seasonal designs or auspicious motifs, and they are often given as gifts. [4]
Mai-sensu (Fan)
folding fan dance folding fan is folding fan used in Japanese dance and other forms of dance. It is also known as a “mai-ōgi.” To create a striking visual effect on stage, many feature elaborate gold and silver designs, and are characterized by having the same pattern on both sides. Some dance fans have a sturdier construction folding fan standard folding fan, such as thicker ribs. [5]
Shimai-sen (Shimai-ōgi)
A shimai-ogi is folding fan used in traditional Japanese performing arts such as Noh and Kyōgen. The size, color, and pattern of the shimai-ogi vary depending on the role being performed on stage and the school of Noh.[6]
Ceremonial Fan (Shūgi-sen)
A "shukugi-ogi" is folding fan used with formal kimono attire. Because of folding fan flared shape, folding fan is considered an auspicious item and is used as an accessory at formal celebratory occasions such as weddings. Shukugi-ogi fans typically feature black-lacquered ribs and a fan face decorated with gold and silver. [7]
Tea folding fan (Chasen, Cha-ōgi)
folding fan tea folding fan is folding fan used in tea ceremony settings. It serves as a prop for conveying etiquette—starting with greetings at the tea ceremony—and holds significant meaning. Tea folding fan are typically smaller than ordinary summer folding fan, and during a tea ceremony, folding fan are used while closed. [8]
Summer folding fan
Indigo-dyed folding fan
Decorative folding fan
Woodblock-Printed Decorative Fan: Ukiyo-e
The Heart Sutra
White Fan
Tea Fan
[By Region] Main Types folding fan
There are many famous regions in Japan known folding fan. Here, we’ll introduce folding fan different types folding fan by their representative regions of origin.
Edo fan (Tokyo)
"Tokyo Edo fan" refer to folding fan were once sold in Edo. Their designs tend to be simple yet bold, featuring komon patterns, stripes, animal motifs, and characters. To complement these bold patterns, these fans typically have a small number of ribs—15 in total—and are characterized by thick main ribs.
Edo fan
Riddles
Kyoto folding fan
Silk folding fan
Kyoto folding fan (Kyoto)
"Kyoto folding fan" refer to folding fan with a long history, primarily produced in Kyoto. Only workshops and retailers that are members of the Kyoto folding fan Commerce round fan Industry Cooperative are permitted to use the name folding fanKyoto folding fan." A variety of high-quality folding fan, including the aforementioned dance folding fan and ceremonial fans, are crafted by hand by skilled artisans. [9]
Nagoya folding fan (Aichi)
"Nagoya folding fan" refer to folding fan produced in the region surrounding Nagoya in Aichi Prefecture. Nagoya is known, along with Kyoto, as one of the two major production centers folding fan. A distinctive feature of Nagoya is that it primarily produces practical fans designed for men. [10]
Omi folding fan (Shiga)
Omi folding fan are folding fan made by attaching locally produced washi paper to Takashima fan ribs, which are produced in Takashima, Shiga Prefecture. Takashima fan ribs are made from high-quality bamboo, and most of the production process is carried out by hand by artisans. These fan ribs are also shipped to Kyoto and used in Kyoto-style folding folding fan. [11]
[By Size] Main Types folding fan
There are various sizes folding fan, folding fan has its own dimensions. folding fan is expressed in the traditional unit “sun.” Since one sun is “approximately 3 cm,” a fan with a closed length of “approximately 21 cm” is expressed as “7 sun.” Additionally, “ma” refers to the number of ribs folding fan. For example, Edo fan Edo-style Edo fan with 15 ribs measures 7.5 sun and 15 ma (approximately 22 cm). Additionally
, Shikebiki fan come in different sizes, such as 7.5 sun and 35 ma (approximately 22 cm) and 6.5 sun and 35 ma (approximately 19.5 cm).Kan’ni-iro Shibu folding fan 8.5 sun (approx. 25.5 cm), while Ojiya-chijimi folding fan come in 7.5 sun (approx. 22 cm) and 6.5 sun (approx. 20 cm) sizes;silk folding folding fan 7 sun (approx. 21 cm), and decorative folding fan 9.5 sun (approx. 28 cm), so please use this information as a reference when selecting folding fan. However, since folding fan is handmade by an artisan, there may be slight variations in size.
Shikebiki fan
7.5 sun, 35 ken
Shikebiki fan
6.5 sun, 35 ken
Edo fan
7.5 sun by 15 ken
[By Pattern (Design)] Main Types folding fan
folding fan surfaces are adorned with a variety of designs. Among the traditional patterns, some carry auspicious meanings. Why not choose folding fan based not only on its stylish design but also on the meaning behind its pattern?
Gourd
The gourd is a plant characterized by its slender, tapered fruit and vines, and is known as one of the auspicious motifs.Because it bears many fruits, it has been used as an auspicious motif since ancient times. Furthermore, due to the unique, constricted shape of its fruit, it is said to absorb evil spirits and prevent them from escaping. Because of these characteristics, gourd patterns are imbued with meanings such as “prosperity of descendants,” “prosperity in business,” “abundant blessings,” and “good health and freedom from illness.” [13]
Ayu
Ayu are freshwater fish native to Japan and are a familiar species often enjoyed in activities such as river fishing. In the spring, the young fish migrate upstream, and as they grow, these ayu are called “agari-ayu” (upstream ayu).Because they swim upstream against strong currents, the ayu pattern is imbued with the meaning of “advancement in one’s career” and is considered an auspicious design. It is often used in gifts given to celebrate job offers, promotions, and other occasions to wish the recipient success in their career. [14]
Horse
Horses, with their powerful stride, have long been closely associated with human life. Horse motifs are featured on a wide variety of items, including boys’ kimonos and swords. Among these, the pattern depicting nine galloping horses is particularly well-known as an auspicious design.Based on the pun “Uma-ku-iku” (meaning “Umakuiku in a Umakuiku” and “things going well”), this pattern is used as an auspicious motif believed to enhance one’s luck, particularly in competitive situations. Additionally, a pattern featuring a horse facing left is considered auspicious because reading the word for “horse” (uma) backward creates “ma-u,” which is a homophone for “mai” (dance)—a reference to the traditional celebratory dances performed at festive occasions.[15]
Bamboo
Bamboo is an evergreen plant that grows abundantly in Japan. It frequently appears in Japanese folktales, including *The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter*. Because it remains green throughout the year and according to legend the phoenix—a mythical bird from China—feeds on its seeds, it has long been regarded as a symbol of good fortune.Patterns featuring bamboo are imbued with meanings such as “longevity” and “immortality.” It is also sometimes combined with other plants, such as in the “pine, bamboo, and plum” motif, to create auspicious designs. [16]
Scales
A scale pattern refers to a design in which multiple triangles are arranged in a continuous sequence. It is a geometric representation of the scales found on the bodies of fish, snakes, and other creatures. Since ancient times, scale patterns have been believed to possess the power to ward off evil spirits.Used since ancient times, this pattern was also incorporated into samurai family crests and battle robes during the Kamakura and Muromachi periods. There are many variations in the shape and size of the triangles, resulting in a wide variety of scale pattern designs. [17]
Dragonfly
Dragonflies are insects known as a seasonal word for autumn and are frequently used as a classic pattern on yukata. They are characterized by their large, long wings and their flight pattern, which involves flying straight forward. Because of this, dragonflies were favored by samurai for their symbol of bravery and determination—never retreating—and came to be called “victory insects” as a symbol of good luck that brings victory.Furthermore, as they are insects of autumn—a season when crops bear fruit—dragonfly patterns also carry the meaning of praying for a bountiful harvest of the five grains.[18]
Seikaiha
Aoi-nami is a geometric pattern depicting the undulating sea. It consists of overlapping fan-shaped motifs arranged in a repeating sequence.It is a pattern that has been passed down since ancient times in various parts of the world, and in Japan, it is believed to have been introduced during the Asuka period. The name was derived from the costumes worn in the Gagaku (court music) performance titled “Seigaiha.” This pattern, which represents a calm and vast ocean stretching endlessly, carries the meaning of a prayer for eternal peace and happiness. [19]
Gourd
Six Gourd Vessels (Mubyō)
Horse
"It'll go Umakuiku"
Dragonfly
Waves and Plovers
folding fan with a Seigaiha pattern and a fan
How to Properly Use and Care for folding fan
Finally, we’ll show you the proper way to use folding fan, broken down by gender. We’ll also explain how to care for folding fan. Please use this guide to bring out the best folding fan your folding fan and help it last as long as possible.
How to Hold folding fan
When holding folding fan, grip the central part and rest your thumb against the thickest rib. The key is to position the back of your hand facing outward and hold the fan by pinching it between your four fingers (excluding your thumb).Holding folding fan correctly allows you to showcase folding fan beauty and make your hands look elegant. Not only that, but it also reduces the strain on folding fan, helping to extend the life folding fan precious folding fan. For these practical reasons as well, we strongly recommend that you use folding fan in the correct manner.
How to Open and Close folding fan
・How to Open folding fan [20]
To open folding fan, first position the main rib facing upward and hold it lightly with both hands. Place your right hand on top and your left hand underneath to support it. Next, place your right hand on folding fan hinge, then place your left thumb near the center and gently push upward to open it.Once the fan has opened slightly, slowly spread it open with both hands. It is important to open folding fan carefully to ensure it lasts a long time. Also, when fanning with folding fan, be sure to support the main rib while fanning. If you place your fingers on the middle ribs while fanning, there is a risk of breaking them.
・How to Close folding fan [21]
To close folding fan, gently hold the main ribs folding fan open folding fan with both hands and carefully fold it by pulling the middle ribs toward you one by one. The key to making folding fan last is to close it slowly, just as you did when opening it—avoid closing it with one hand or slamming it shut forcefully. Be sure to handle it carefully with both hands.
How to Care for folding fan
After closing folding fan, securing the top with a paper strip or a rubber band will help prevent it from losing its shape.Also, it’s best to carry folding fan in folding fan pouch. Keep in mind that the fan surface is particularly delicate, so putting it directly into a bag could cause damage. Regardless of the type, folding fan tend to be sensitive to moisture, so if it gets wet, wipe off the moisture immediately and let it dry thoroughly.
Please note that the hinge folding fan is a part that wears out easily with use. If it happens to break, we recommend considering having the hinge repaired or restored. By taking care with your daily maintenance, you can ensure folding fan cherished folding fan lasts for many years.
URL: Folding Fan Pouches & Boxes">https://www.ibasen.co.jp/collections/accessories
Precautions When Using folding fan
・Be mindful not to let the breeze blow on those around you [22]
When using folding fan in places where others are nearby—such as on trains, buses, in elevators, or in theater seats—be sure to be considerate of those around you.In public places, some people may not appreciate being blown on by the breeze from folding fan folding folding fan or hearing the sound of it being waved nearby. Be mindful of when it is appropriate to use folding fan, and strive to observe the graceful manners and etiquette befitting such an elegant folding fan.
・Avoid moving the fan rapidly or noisily [23]
When fanning with folding fan, your movements will appear more graceful if you focus on keeping them slow and steady. Conversely, avoid flapping folding fan rapidly or making large, jerky motions.Not only do quick, jerky movements give the impression of being flustered, but they also tend to distract people when they catch them in their peripheral vision. In public places, fanning too vigorously can easily blow air onto those nearby, so be mindful of how you use your folding fan.
・When enjoying fragrance, be mindful of applying too much and consider the time, place, and occasion [24]
Some folding fan are made from fragrant woods, such as sandalwood, allowing you to enjoy their scent.Another option is to apply your own perfume to folding fan and enjoy the scent each time you fan yourself. However, in public places or while dining, the scent may be distracting. Therefore, when enjoying scents with folding fan, be careful not to apply too much perfume and use folding fan with consideration for the time, place, and occasion.
・Points to Note at Weddings [25]
At celebratory events such as weddings, folding fan inserted into the left chest pocket of the obi worn with a black or colored tomesode kimono is called a “suehiro.”“Suehiro” refers to a shape that widens from top to bottom (the “sue”), resembling the Japanese numeral “八.” Because the tip widens, it has long been considered a very auspicious symbol associated with growth and prosperity.
However, there are certain etiquette rules to follow when using a Suehiro. Opening the fan and fanning yourself is considered taboo.The original purpose of the suehiro is a ceremonial gesture to create a barrier between oneself and the other person. In other words, creating this barrier implies “showing the utmost respect to the other person.” Therefore, since it is meant to express gratitude toward the other person, using it in a way that goes against its original purpose is a breach of etiquette, so please be careful.
Check the types before purchasing to choose folding fan right folding fan
So far, we’ve introduced the various types folding fan, categorized by material, purpose, place of origin, size, and pattern (design). folding fan are not only for personal use but are also popular as gifts for celebrations and other occasions. With so many types available, please choose folding fan that best suits your purpose.Furthermore, using folding fan correctly not only makes your movements look graceful but also helps ensure that folding fan cherished folding fan lasts longer. Depending on the situation in which you use folding fan, it is also important to be mindful of proper etiquette. We hope you’ll make good use of folding fan in your daily life, using the information we’ve provided as a guide.
