What is the first association that comes to your mind, when you hear the word “fan”?
European balls and beauties who are trying to fight the stuffiness, fanning themselves with a luxurious fan with peacock feathers?
Large fans of ancient southern rulers? Or maybe elegant Asian fans with fantastic designs that forever remains in memory?
In fact, in Japan, the fan has longer and more interesting history than in Europe.
In Europe, the word “fan” means, first of all, a folding fan, introduced there only in the XVII century.
But the very first fans in the world were not foldable, but oval-shaped, and looked more like leaves. In Japan, these fans are called “uchiwa”.
Such fans were common in ancient times, they are known to be used in ancient China, Egypt and Japan.
(The Japanese “uchiwa” could be purchased in many Japanese shop, for example, you can choose one up to your preference here)
However, the folding fan (called oogi 扇 or sensu 扇子) was without a doubt invented in Japan.
The exact date of invention is not clear, but historians think, that it happened in Heian era (years 794 – 1185).
From Japan, folding fan was introduced to China by the travelling Buddhist monk.
Later, folding fans were introduced from Japan and China to Portugal and other European countries.
Folding fan, depicting foreigners
In the beginning, the folding fans were used mainly by aristocrats.
Initially, they were decorated with paintings and poems, and often were used as a gift (the courtiers could even present the folding fans to the emperor and vice versa).
Then folding fans were spread among the common people as well. They were used for games as well as for military operations, both during the game on stage, and during the ritual dances.
At the same time, the folding fans continued to be a popular gift and souvenir.
In modern Japan folding fans are considered to be an important symbol of Japanese culture.
Because of their beauty and elegance, and the possibility to weave the local flavour in the patterns, in stores they are often sold as souvenirs not only for foreigners but also for Japanese people themselves.
In modern Japanese stores, which specialize in the traditional folding fans, fans are divided into three major groups: female fans, male fans and decorative fans.
Female fans are characterized by soft, light colours, patterns with plants, mostly flowers, butterflies or goldfish. Sometimes there can be found pictures of cats or rabbits.
As a material for the female fans makers often use trees with a gentle, pleasant aroma.
(Choose the female fan up to your preference here: http://www.1sensu.com/shopping/index-onnamoti.html)
The colours of male fans are more intense, often contrasting.
They can also be decorated with sakura ornaments, but more often there are images of Japanese symbol of male strength and courage - dragons and carp.
In addition, the male folding fan can be decorated with images of birds, fireflies, bamboo as well as views of Mount Fuji or Japanese deities of wind and thunder.
(Choose the male fan up to your preference here: http://www.1sensu.com/shopping/index-otokomoti.html)
The Japanese stores often offer to buy special covers for male and female folding fans.
Due to such covers, it is easy to carry the fans. Besides, covers protect them against scratches and damages.
Fan covers can also be divided into male and female.
The design of female covers is festive and bright. The floral ornaments of colours and types are considered to be the most suitable for them.
Among other things, these covers can be an interesting accessory.
You can get acquainte with the assortment and buy a female cover here http://www.1sensu.com/shopping/on-hukuro.html
The design of male covers, on the contrary, is simple and unconstrained. These covers are in harmony with male fans.
But, despite the simplicity of the design, the male covers can also be decorated with interesting and unusual patterns.
You can get acquainted with the assortment and buy a male cover here http://www.1sensu.com/shopping/ot-hukuro.html
Various covers
With the standard size 50cm x 30cm, the decorative fans are larger than male or female fans.
Due to the bright design and a wide range they can be an interesting detail of the interior of any room. Their traditional patterns will bring a piece of Japan to your home.
Decorative fans can also be an extraordinary gift, which will warm the heart of the recipient for years.
(You can get acquainted with the assortment and buy a decorative fan here http://www.1sensu.com/shopping/index-kazarisensu.html)
There are many stores in Japan that specialize in the sale of folding fans.
Some of them have a long history and follow the centuries-old traditions, and some are their young competitors, which bring new and unexpected to the design of traditional Japanese fan.
But regardless of the store, every folding fan has typical Japanese quality and grace.
And now we wish you a pleasant journey through the elegant and inimitable country of Japanese folding fans!