Types of Japanese Folding Fan

This Fan was called [Hiougi - cypress], which is made of cypress' board as a material and put it on many layers and binded it by the silk. This board was used as record.
There were two types of Cypress Fan: one for man and the other for woman. The man Cypress Fan used white plain cypress board to record. The number of boards was different from each position. For the woman's fan, many fancy colors were used to decorate flowers, people, and objects and hung long colored thread from the fan to complete the beauty.

Around 1100 years ago, this fan was called [ Kawahori - bat]. This derivation came from its shape when unfold this fan, looked like a Bat. At that time, these fans were used only by priests, nobles, and oracles. But it was not allowed to be used by the citizens. In court palace, Japanese Folding Fans were used as a love letter instead of usual paper. The fan was passed with perfumed to the person who liked it very much. Like this, the fan was a romantic property.

The Japanese Folding Fan was developed in Japan to export to China around 800 years ago. After that, they reached Europe through silk roads and India. Japanese Folding Fans were arranged to European style under Louis's dynasty in France using ivory, tortoiseshell as ribs, silk, and lace instead of papers. After that, European style Folding Fans were re-imported to Japan and re-arranged to Japanese style using silk and cotton cloth.

This fan is used to display on the alcove or wall. Also it is used as a souvenir.

This fan is made of white sandalwood and folded over in many layers. The white sandalwood is an aromatic tree. People enjoy the scent from this fan.

Generally this fan is used in the Summer. The size of the man's fan is 9.2 inch (23 cm) and the size of woman's fan is 8 inch (20 cm). There are many kinds of Japanese Folding Fans for this Summer version.

This fan was used in the war to command troops. Sometimes they used these fans in martial [ military ] arts.

This fan is used in wedding ceremonies to exchange. During a funeraly, the black fan is used.

This fan is used in Japanese traditional dance. They differate from school to school.

This fan is carried when the tea party is held. The size of man's fan is 7.4 inch. (18 cm). The size of woman's is 6 inch. (15 cm)

[Fan for Doll]

This is a holding fan for a doll. The size is about from [1inch to 3.6 inch.] ( 3 cm ~ 9cm).