folding fanMeaning behind the gift of "☆"｜Recommended gift-giving occasions and points to keep in mind.
On occasions when you want to congratulate or express your gratitude to a loved one, you want to choose a wonderful gift that will remain in your heart. If you are at a loss to choose a gift for such a festive occasion, we recommend the following gift ideas.folding fanfor gift-giving. Easy to carry and convenient to use in daily lifefolding fanhas also been regarded as a good-luck item since ancient times. In this article, we will discuss thefolding fangift, its meaning, recommended gift-giving occasions, and points to keep in mind when giving a gift.
The Meaning Behind Giving folding fan as a Gift
Perhaps some of you are considering giving folding fan as a gift to someone special. Because folding fan takes on a shape that widens toward the ends when opened, it symbolizes “gradual growth and prosperity.” For this reason, it has long been considered a good-luck charm in Japan. While folding fan fans are stylish and easy to use in everyday life, they are also, in fact, auspicious gifts.For gifts on celebratory occasions or as mementos, be sure to choose folding fan that conveys your heartfelt sentiments to the recipient.
Occasions When folding fan Makes a Good Gift—and When It Is Considered Taboo
In Japan, there has long been a tradition of giving folding fan as gifts on celebratory and joyous occasions. Here, we’ll explain the appropriate and inappropriate occasions for folding fan.
Perhaps some of you are considering giving folding fan as a gift to someone special. Because folding fan takes on a shape that widens toward the ends when opened, it symbolizes “gradual growth and prosperity.” For this reason, it has long been considered a good-luck charm in Japan. While folding fan fans are stylish and easy to use in everyday life, they are also, in fact, auspicious gifts.For gifts on celebratory occasions or as mementos, be sure to choose folding fan that conveys your heartfelt sentiments to the recipient.
Occasions When folding fan Makes a Good Gift
・Celebrating Longevity
folding fan are highly recommended as gifts for older adults, such as for a 60th or 70th birthday celebration. When selecting a fan, choose a design that symbolizes longevity and good health.Along with folding fan auspicious folding fan, you can convey the meaning behind the design. For example, designs featuring cranes, turtles, and gourds are ideal for longevity celebrations.
・Coming-of-Age Ceremony
At Coming-of-Age ceremonies, many new adults celebrate in elegant traditional Japanese attire, such as furisode kimonos or mon-tsuki hakama. We recommend giving folding fan that complements these outfits as a commemorative gift. If they’re having pre- or post-ceremony photo shoots in kimono, they’ll surely enjoy posing with folding fan as a prop.
・Shichi-Go-San [1]
The fan motif is one of the auspicious patterns. It is sometimes used on the ceremonial kimonos worn for Shichi-Go-San, a celebration praying for a child’s healthy growth. Giving folding fan as a gift to a child celebrating Shichi-Go-San is also a great idea. During photo sessions, you might also have the child hold folding fan as a prop.
・Gifts for People from China
In Chinese, folding fan word folding fan “fan” (shan zi) is a homophone for “good deeds” (shan zhi), meaning “kindness” and “good deeds,” making it an ideal gift for friends. It is also sometimes given as a gift at weddings or when proposing marriage. According to folklore, folding fan are considered lucky charms that ward off evil spirits and help solidify love.
Situations Where folding fan Is Considered Taboo However
, in China, it is not very common for couples to give fans to each other. The reason for this is that the Chinese pronunciation of “shanzi” (folding fan) is associated with the phrase “shan hua” (scattered flowers). Since folding fan are used in summer and discarded in winter, this evokes the image of a breakup.
Furthermore, in China, folding fan are given as auspicious gifts and are also valued as works of art. Calligraphy fans are considered elegant artistic gifts that offer the pleasure of beauty. Today, giving folding fan is a good choice for those interested in traditional Chinese culture.
As such, due to the various customs found around the world, the actual symbolic meanings of fan-shaped items differ significantly by country and region. When giving gifts to people from different cultural backgrounds, be sure to consider their cultural context and select an appropriate item.
6 Recommended Folding folding fan as Gifts for Someone Special
Why not choose folding fan as a gift for someone special? Here, we’ll introduce six types of folding fan that are perfect for gift-giving occasions. If you’re ever unsure about what to give, please use this as a guide.
Edo fan Set: Six Gourd (Mubyō) No. 11
Edo fan folding Edo fan features a lucky design that plays on the word “six gourds” (mubyō) as a pun for “good health and freedom from illness.” It is highly recommended as a gift to celebrate longevity and wish the recipient long-lasting health.Furthermore, as seen in the “Sennari Hyotan” horse banner used by Toyotomi Hideyoshi, the gourd is also considered a symbol of wishes coming true. This design is also well-suited as a gift for Shichi-Go-San celebrations or Coming-of-Age ceremonies, where parents pray for their children’s growth.
Click here for more details on the “Edo fan Set: Six Gourd (Mubyō) No. 11”
Edo fan Set: Dragonfly, Blue, No. 24
This Edo fan features a refreshing blue fan surface adorned with a design of dragonflies, a classic motif in traditional Japanese patterns. Dragonflies, considered beneficial insects, have long been regarded as symbols of a bountiful harvest.Additionally, because of their unique flight pattern—in which they never fly backward—they are called “kachimushi” (victory insects), and it is well known that many samurai incorporated dragonfly motifs into their armor and family crests. We recommend this fan for celebratory occasions such as boys’ Shichi-Go-San and Coming-of-Age ceremonies.
Click here for more details on the “Edo fan Set: Dragonfly Blue No. 24”
Shikebiki fan—Double-Sided Design—Purple [Reprint Edition, Genuine Lacquer] Comes with a Paulownia Box and Pouch, 7.5 sun
This high-quality folding fan, crafted with meticulous attention to materials and craftsmanship, features an elegant purple fan surface that adds a touch of sophistication to your hands. It makes an ideal gift for mothers and grandmothers celebrating their 60th or 70th birthdays, as well as for adult women who enjoy wearing traditional Japanese attire.The fan ribs, crafted from high-quality bamboo, are finished with a custom color combination of genuine lacquer. The fan surface features pigments that complement the lacquer’s hue, and brushstrokes are rendered using a traditional technique known as “shikebiki.”
Click here for more details on the Shikebiki fan—Double-Sided Design—Purple”
Shikebiki fan—Double-Sided Design, Indigo Blue [Reprint Edition, Genuine Lacquer] Comes with a Paulownia Wood Box and Pouch—7.5 sun
This is folding fan high-quality folding fan suitable for adult attire. The fan’s deep indigo-blue surface features brushstroke patterns created using the traditional “shike-biki” technique. Indigo blue—also known overseas as “Japan Blue”—is a popular traditional color that symbolizes Japan. A key feature is the fan’s ribs, which are finished with authentic lacquer for a luxurious look.It makes an excellent gift for a man celebrating his 60th or 70th birthday. folding fan elegant folding fan, crafted with meticulous attention to materials and craftsmanship, pairs beautifully with traditional Japanese attire.
Click here for more details on the “Shikebiki fan Fan—Double-Sided Design—Indigo Blue.”
Edo fan No. 31Asano-ha deisign Clouds, Mint Green
This mint-colored Edo fan features a design that combines Asano-ha deisign and “zuion,” two traditional Japanese patterns.Since ancient times, the Asano-ha deisign pattern has been used as a talisman to protect children and has been featured on items such as baby swaddling clothes. Additionally, the Zuiun pattern—a stylized representation of clouds found in nature—is one of the auspicious patterns and is well-suited as a gift for celebratory occasions. It is also a popular choice as a Shichi-Go-San gift to pray for the healthy growth of a boy.
Click here for more details on Edo fan No. 31Asano-ha deisign Clouds, Mint Green”
Edo fan No. 30Asano-ha deisign Marble, Pale Pink
This Edo fan features a charming pale pink fan surface adorned with a “temari pattern,” which stylizes girls’ toys. Asano-ha deisign, known as a charm against evil spirits, symbolizes prayers for a child’s healthy growth, making it ideal for Shichi-Go-San celebrations.Furthermore, the temari pattern—which embodies the wish for a harmonious family life—is commonly found on furisode kimonos worn at Coming-of-Age ceremonies and on kimonos included in a bride’s trousseau. We also recommend this fan as a gift for Coming-of-Age celebrations.
Click here for more details on “Edo fan No. 30: Asanoha, Temari, Pale Pink.”
Understand the meaning behind giving folding fan a gift—and make it a wonderful present!
We’ve introduced the meanings behind giving folding fan as a gift, the occasions when it’s appropriate to give one, and Ibasen products we recommend as gifts for your loved ones. Because folding fan, with their flared shape, have long been considered symbols of good fortune in Japan, they make the perfect gift.Consider giving folding fan for various celebratory occasions, such as longevity celebrations, Coming-of-Age ceremonies, and Shichi-Go-San. Gift-quality folding fan come in a wide variety of colors and patterns. Please choose the perfect gift based on the occasion and the message you wish to convey to the recipient.
“Main Types of Fans | Classification by Material, Purpose, Place of Origin, and Size, and Proper Usage” is available here
