The ribs, Uchiwa Fans from Kyoto

The ribs are made using bamboo cultivated for 4-5 years in a cold region (Madake and Hachiku). Long internodes are cut out and the width and thickness adjusted. The upper edge is then cut into sections of 5mm and the bamboo is split from these cuts along the fibre. The bamboo is split into 2 or 3 stips depending on the required thickness.