History of Uchiwa｜Changes in usage and the three major types of Uchiwa in Japan

The sight of people fanning themselves with uchiwa fans to cool off has become a summer tradition. They are also popular as an item to add color to summer kimonos and yukata kimonos. What is the history of uchiwa fans before they took root in Japanese life? This article explains how Uchiwa originated in Japan and how their use has changed over the years. We will also introduce some historical uchiwa, such as the three most famous uchiwa in Japan. Please read this article to further enjoy the familiar Uchiwa.

The Origins and Etymology of the Uchiwa Fan

How did the uchiwa fan—now an integral part of daily life in Japan—originate? And what is the etymology of the term “uchiwa”? First, I’ll share some basic information about the history of the uchiwa fan.

The Origins of the Uchiwa Fan

The uchiwa fan is believed to have originated from the “sashi-ba,” which was introduced from China (the Zhou Dynasty) in the 3rd century BCE. The sashi-ba had a long handle, and the fan surface was apparently made from materials such as bird feathers. It is said that, unlike today’s use for cooling off, it was used by nobles and other high-ranking individuals as a tool to conceal their faces.

The Etymology of "Uchiwa"

It is believed that the name “uchiwa” evolved from “utsuha” (打つ翳). One theory suggests that the “utsu” (打つ) in this term derives from the action of swatting away insects such as flies and mosquitoes, or warding off misfortune.The kanji characters for “fan” (round fan) come from Chinese, and the Japanese reading “uchiwa” was assigned to them. The character “団” (dan) means “round,” while the character “扇” (sen) refers to the breeze created when opening and closing double doors.

China (Song Dynasty), 12th century

The History of the Uchiwa and Changes in Its Usage

Uchiwa fans were introduced to Japan from China and have been used since ancient times, but what path did they take to evolve into the form and usage we see today? Here, we’ll explore the history of the uchiwa fan from ancient times to the present, as well as the changes in how it has been used.

Primitive

Artifacts and murals unearthed from the Yayoi and Kofun periods are cited as the oldest evidence of uchiwa fans in Japan.It is believed that the “sashiba”—the precursor to the uchiwa—was introduced from China (the Zhou Dynasty) during that period, and wooden tools shaped like uchiwa have been discovered. Based on the murals found in kofun tombs, it is thought that these tools were used for ceremonial purposes.

Ancient Period (Asuka, Nara, Heian)

After that, the uchiwa gradually evolved. It is said that during the Nara and Heian periods, elaborate and large uchiwa were crafted for aristocrats and other people of high social standing. These uchiwa were apparently used to keep cool, conceal the face, or serve as decorations. Meanwhile, it is believed that among the common people, lightweight and easy-to-use uchiwa began to be used.

The Middle Ages (Kamakura, Muromachi, and Sengoku periods)

Toward the end of the Muromachi period, the uchiwa began to take on its modern form. It evolved into a structure made of ribs and paper—the basis for today’s uchiwa—and became even lighter and easier to use. During the Sengoku period, military commanders developed a tool known as round fan “gunbai uchiwa.”Military round fan were used by warlords to direct battles. Today, military round fan are used by sumo referees to signal the start of bouts and announce decisions.

Early Modern Period (Edo)

The Edo period was a time when hand fans became widely popular among the common people. They came to be used in various aspects of daily life, whether to cool off or to create a breeze while cooking.Furthermore, the designs of uchiwa fans evolved during the Edo period. Advances in woodblock printing technology enabled the mass production of round fan illustrations, and uchiwa fans began to feature ukiyo-e and actor prints. With the emergence of fans featuring creative and ingenious designs, they spread not only as practical tools but also as fashion accessories.

 

Ibasen a long-established fan maker, began production in the mid-Edo period. The fans Ibasen produced at that time, made from bamboo and washi paper, eventually became known as “Edo round fan.”When fans adorned with ukiyo-e prints became popular in the late Edo period, Ibasen became the publisher for popular ukiyo-e artists such as the first-generation Utagawa Toyokuni, Utagawa Kuniyoshi, and Utagawa Hiroshige.

Kitagawa Utamaro, 19th century

Edo-style round fan

The Twelve Months in the Modern Style: Toyokuni

round fan Edo-period round fan *Imayō Jūnikagetsu* was created in Bunsei 5 (1822) by the first-generation Toyokuni, a master artist in the tradition of the Utagawa school, and published by Iba-sen as a multicolored woodblock-printed fan round fan.Based on this sole surviving woodblock, the publisher Ibasen has printed and produced the current series of the First Toyokuni “Imayō Twelve Months.”

Click here for more details

Ukiyo-e

These Edo-period round fan (nishiki-e, Yamato-style) were created by the master artists Hiroshige and Kuniyoshi—who drew on the traditions of the Utagawa school—and produced as multicolored fan round fan by the publisher Iba-sen.Based on this sole surviving woodblock print, Ibasen has now printed and produced this edition.

Click here for more details

Full Moon Fan

Edo-style fans became popular among the common people during the Edo period. They were used as everyday tools to beat the heat and to start fires while cooking. Their designs feature not only ukiyo-e motifs but also auspicious patterns such as Asano-ha deisign and komon patterns.

Click here for more details

From the Modern Era to the Contemporary Era

Furthermore, during the Meiji period, the practice of using uchiwa as an advertising medium became widespread. Similar to the promotional tactics commonly seen today, this involved printing advertisements on the fan surface and distributing them to large numbers of people. Such uchiwa advertisements were utilized by companies, temples, and shrines of the time.At the same time, fans adorned with beautiful paintings on their surfaces—and other types of fans held in high regard as works of art and crafts—continued to be produced. In this way, over the course of its long history, the uchiwa has become an integral part of Japanese life and culture.

The Three Great Traditional Japanese Uchiwa Fans with a Long History

Regions famous for producing traditional Japanese uchiwa fans include the southern part of the Boso Peninsula in Chiba Prefecture, Marugame in Kagawa Prefecture, and Kyoto Prefecture. The uchiwa fans made in these three regions are known as the “Three Great Uchiwa Fans of Japan.” Finally, we’ll introduce the history and characteristics of the Three Great Uchiwa Fans of Japan.

Boshū Fan

Bōshū uchiwa fans are made in the southern part of the Bōsō Peninsula in Chiba Prefecture. This region was once known as Awa Province (Bōshū) and was a major producer of bamboo.When fan-making began in the Kanto region during the Edo period, Bōshū supported production as a source of bamboo; however, by the Meiji period, fans began to be made in Bōshū as well. Later, when Tokyo’s fan wholesalers suffered damage from the Great Kanto Earthquake, production expanded thanks to wholesalers who relocated to Bōshū.Boshu uchiwa are characterized by their “marue” (round handle), which makes use of the natural round shape of the bamboo, and their “sakidake” (split bamboo) window—the part of the fan where the paper is not attached, created by finely splitting the bamboo.

Marugame Uchiwa

Marugame uchiwa fans are made in the Marugame area of Kagawa Prefecture. In the early Edo period, these fans were first created in Marugame as souvenirs for pilgrims visiting Kotohira-gu Shrine, known as the “Kotohira Pilgrimage.”These souvenir fans were modeled after round fan feather round fan said to be carried by powerful tengu, featuring a vermilion background with a circular “金” (Kin) character. The popularity of these fans as commemorative items led to the development of Marugame uchiwa.With many artisans living in the area and materials readily available nearby, Marugame boasts a 90% share of Japan’s total fan production. A distinctive feature of the region is that it brings together the unique characteristics of fans from all over the country, resulting in a wide variety of fans, ranging from different shapes to diverse designs.

Kyoto Fan

Kyoto uchiwa fans are made in the Kyoto Prefecture area. The unique characteristics of this region, where a rich court culture has taken root over the past thousand years, are reflected in these fans.The origins of modern Kyoto uchiwa are traced to the “Gosho uchiwa,” crafted by court painters from schools such as the Tosa and Kano schools. A distinctive feature of these fans is a structure called “sashie,” in which the handle is attached separately from the ribs after the fan face has been completed.The number of ribs can range from 50 to 100; the more ribs there are, the higher the quality of the fan is considered to be. Furthermore, decorative fans of high artistic and craftsmanship value are produced using high-quality materials and featuring lacquer work and gold leaf accents.

Click here to view the fan collection

Learning about the history of uchiwa fans will make them even more fun!

So far, we’ve covered the origins and etymology of the uchiwa, the evolution of its history and usage, and the characteristics of the historic “Three Great Uchiwa of Japan.” Whether we’re heading to a summer festival with an uchiwa in hand or receiving one handed out at a street campaign, the uchiwa is a familiar part of our daily lives.The ways we use them today—which now seem so natural—emerged over a long history and eventually became deeply rooted in people’s daily lives. Learning about this history adds even more joy to using a fan. At Ibasen, a long-established fan shop, we offer “Edo Fans” adorned with traditional Edo-period round fan paintings.If you’re looking for a stylish fan that embodies tradition, please be sure to visit our online shop.