Uchiwa Fans from Kyoto

 The uchiwa fan is an indispensable item during Japanese summer. It is used not only for fanning, but also for repelling mosquitos and flies. It is also believed to have the power to ward off evil spirits and have been used in various forms and for various purposes, such as in the form of gunbai fan at Shinto rituals. Uchiwa fans come in two types: round fans and rhombic fans. It is said that this type of fans existed in China as early as 3 B.C., and were brought to Japan around the 6th-7th century. 

 First, 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. Kyō-uchiwa fans are characteristic in having many ribs.

Glue is then applied on the other side of the ribs and the front uchiwa paper is pasted onto this side. A spatula called nenbera is used to pressed the paper down along the ribs to ensure the paper is properly stretched over the ribs and frame of the fan, so that the fan will bend with flexibility.

The Gensei-style Fukakusa Uchiwa is said to have been devised during the Edo period by Gensei (1623-68) who established the Zuikō-ji Temple and who enjoyed poetry with the Sumii Family. This type of uchiwa alongside incense containers was given out to people close to him after he passed away. While none have survived in perfect form, a Tokyo resident who visits Zuikō-ji has one of these as a family treasure passed down for generations, and it has two black branded marks on the handle which is still used today as evidence that a uchiwa fan is made by the Sumii family.  

In the Hanamichi or pleasure quarters of Kyoto it is customary for geishas and apprentice geishas to give uchiwa fans with their names written on them to important customers for summer greeting. These fans with the names written in vermillion on white paper is known as Kyō Maru-uchiwa or ‘round fans from Kyoto’. Every year around the beginning of summer, visitor to Kyoto’s restaurants and shops will see these establishments gorgeously decorated with fans with the names of geishas.