2025.06.14

Uchiwa: The Timeless Japanese Fan with 3,000 Years of Culture, Craft, and Cool

🖊Chapter 1: What Makes Uchiwa Unique?

Fixed, Round, and Beautiful: A Fan Unlike Any Other

When most people think of Japanese fans, they imagine the folding “sensu.” But there’s another type that’s just as iconic—if not more so: the uchiwa. Unlike folding fans, uchiwa are non-collapsible, paddle-shaped fans made from a single frame and a stretched surface of paper, cloth, or plastic.

With a circular or oval face and a simple handle, uchiwa fans offer a larger surface area for wind, making them excellent for cooling off on hot summer days. But beyond their function, uchiwa have long been admired for their beauty. Many feature colorful artwork, traditional motifs, or modern graphic designs.

Their simplicity is deceptive: uchiwa are deeply rooted in history and craftsmanship. In fact, this “humble” object has carried over 3,000 years of culture, art, ritual, and storytelling on its broad face.

Uchiwa vs Sensu: What’s the Difference?

To many, a fan is just a fan—but in Japan, there’s a big difference between uchiwa (non-folding) and sensu (folding) fans. These two types not only differ in shape and function, but also in cultural meaning and historical origin.

Uchiwa originated in ancient China and were introduced to Japan around the 6th or 7th century, likely alongside Buddhism. They are made with a fixed bamboo frame and do not fold. Their surface is ideal for displaying art, text, or messages—making them popular for rituals, ceremonies, advertising, and as decorative souvenirs.

Sensu, on the other hand, are believed to have originated in Japan. The earliest versions, known as hi-ōgi (檜扇), appeared in the Heian period (8th–12th century) and were made of thin wooden slats. Sensu fans can fold flat, making them more portable and suitable for formal occasions, traditional dance, or tea ceremonies.

While both serve the same basic function—creating wind—their forms, uses, and cultural symbolism have taken very different paths over time.

🖊Chapter 2: Where Did Uchiwa Come From? A Global Journey

Ancient Egypt, China, and India

While uchiwa is now seen as a uniquely Japanese fan, the concept of using a handheld object to create wind dates back thousands of years—and it existed in many parts of the world.

In ancient Egypt, fans were used not only to cool people down, but also as symbols of divine power. Carved on tomb walls, large feathered fans appear behind pharaohs, held by servants as part of royal rituals. These were often made of feathers, precious metals, and ivory, showcasing wealth and religious authority.

In China, fans made of feathers or bamboo existed as early as the Warring States period (around 5th–3rd century BCE). The famous “feather fan” carried by Zhuge Liang (a strategist from the Three Kingdoms period) became a symbol of intelligence and calm authority. Later, round silk fans became popular among court women during the Tang and Song dynasties.

In India and Southeast Asia, simple palm-leaf or cloth fans were used in religious ceremonies. Buddhist monks used a whisk-like fan called hossu to symbolically “sweep away worldly distractions”—a spiritual act as much as a practical one.

When and How Did It Arrive in Japan?

The uchiwa fan is believed to have arrived in Japan during the Asuka period (6th–7th century), most likely brought from China along with the spread of Buddhism. At that time, fans were used mainly in religious rituals, especially by monks and priests. One early form was the hossu—a whisk-like fan used to symbolically “sweep away evil” or worldly distractions during ceremonies.

Initially, uchiwa were elite tools reserved for religious or court use. But over the centuries, they gradually became more common. By the Heian period, nobles began to use fans as part of their attire, and by the Edo period, uchiwa had become a popular everyday item used by common people.

Interestingly, while uchiwa came to Japan from China, the folding fan (sensu) was invented in Japan and later exported to China and other Asian countries. So, in a way, fans moved across cultures in both directions.

🖊Chapter 3: The Japanese Evolution of Uchiwa

From Ritual Tool to Daily Life

In Japan, uchiwa began as sacred objects used in Buddhist rituals. Monks used them not just to cool themselves, but to symbolically sweep away evil or distractions. These early fans were often decorated with sacred symbols or religious texts.

As Japanese society evolved, so did the role of the uchiwa. By the Heian period (794–1185), court nobles began using decorative fans, including fixed-style uchiwa, as status symbols. These fans were not mass-produced but crafted by hand using fine materials like silk and lacquer.

Over time, uchiwa moved beyond temples and palaces. By the Muromachi and Edo periods, they had become household items. Farmers, merchants, and townspeople used them during summer for practical cooling. Uchiwa began to reflect seasonal themes, nature, and folklore in their designs—becoming both functional and expressive.

Edo Period: Ukiyo-e Fans and the Birth of Printed Advertising

The Edo period (1603–1868) marked a golden age for uchiwa in Japan. During this time, the development of woodblock printing allowed for mass production of beautifully designed fans.

One of the most iconic cultural products of this era was the uchiwa-e—ukiyo-e (floating world pictures) printed directly onto fan surfaces. These art fans featured kabuki actors, seasonal scenes, landscapes, and even subtle social satire.

But uchiwa-e weren’t just art—they were early forms of advertising media. Theaters, shops, and sake brewers would commission printed fans with their names or promotions on them and hand them out during festivals or performances. Uchiwa became one of Japan’s earliest “portable media,” combining artistry, function, and marketing in one object.

This evolution—from ritual item to art to advertising—demonstrates how flexible and enduring the uchiwa has been in Japanese culture.

🖊Chapter 4: Why Is Marugame the Uchiwa Capital of Japan?

A Lucky Location: Bamboo + Port Town

The city of Marugame, located in Kagawa Prefecture on Japan’s Shikoku Island, produces over 90% of all uchiwa fans made in Japan today. But this dominance didn’t happen overnight—it’s the result of geography, history, and craftsmanship coming together.

First, the area is rich in high-quality bamboo, ideal for crafting fan ribs. Second, as a port town facing the Seto Inland Sea, Marugame enjoyed easy access to trade routes, which allowed raw materials to come in and finished products to be shipped out efficiently. These natural advantages laid the foundation for a sustainable uchiwa industry.

Souvenirs from a Sacred Shrine

The local uchiwa industry began to flourish during the Edo period, thanks to pilgrims visiting Kotohira Shrine (also known as Konpira-san), one of Japan’s most famous spiritual sites.

Pilgrims would often purchase uchiwa as souvenirs or practical tools for their journey, especially during the hot summer months. The demand for fans among travelers sparked a cottage industry in Marugame, where craftsmen began to produce and sell handmade uchiwa near the shrine and along the pilgrimage route.

From Handmade to Local Industry

In the Meiji period (late 19th century), the fan-making process in Marugame became more structured and efficient. A division of labor emerged: one group specialized in cutting bamboo, another in attaching the paper, and others in printing and finishing. This assembly-line approach allowed Marugame to scale up production and respond to growing demand across Japan.

Eventually, uchiwa-making became a full-fledged local industry, employing hundreds of artisans and supporting related businesses such as paper mills and printing workshops.

Certified Craft: Marugame Uchiwa Lives On

In 1997, Marugame Uchiwa was officially recognized as a Traditional Craft by Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. Today, it is not only a symbol of craftsmanship but also of regional pride.

Modern Marugame uchiwa come in a variety of styles—from festival giveaways to fine art fans—and continue to adapt to contemporary trends. Efforts to promote eco-friendly materials and preserve traditional techniques have given this ancient tool a new future.

🖊Chapter 5: Uchiwa in the Modern World

From Summer Festivals to Souvenirs

Today, uchiwa are still widely used in Japan—especially during summer festivals, events, and promotional campaigns. You’ll often see businesses handing out fans with their logos, QR codes, or calendars printed on them.

Thanks to their low cost and large printable area, uchiwa remain one of Japan’s most effective and memorable forms of print-based advertising. Unlike flyers, they’re less likely to be thrown away—and in hot weather, they’re actually useful.

Whether it’s a concert, a political rally, a store opening, or a community event, uchiwa continue to serve as Japan’s favorite “giveaway” item.

Eco-Friendly and Artistic Fans

Beyond promotion, uchiwa are also valued as traditional crafts and art objects. Handmade Marugame uchiwa and Kyoto uchiwa are especially admired for their craftsmanship and elegance.

Marugame uchiwa: Known for hand-split bamboo ribs and detailed assembly
Kyoto uchiwa: Characterized by its separate handle (inserted after the fan face is completed), offering a clean, flat look

At the same time, eco-conscious materials are becoming more common. Many modern uchiwa are made with:

Recycled paper
Bamboo resin
Biomass inks

These materials help companies meet sustainability goals while embracing traditional culture. Uchiwa, once a seasonal tool, is now part of a growing eco-design movement.

Printed Fans: Japan’s Oldest “Portable Media”?

Looking back, it’s fascinating to see how uchiwa evolved into what could be called Japan’s first portable media.

From Edo-era ukiyo-e prints to modern corporate branding, uchiwa have always combined form, function, and storytelling in a single object. They’re tactile, visible, and useful—qualities that remain powerful even in today’s digital world.

As design and print technology advance, the potential of uchiwa continues to grow—serving both as a marketing tool and a cultural artifact that blends tradition with innovation.

🖊Conclusion｜Uchiwa Is More Than Just a Fan

From ancient temples to bustling festivals, from royal courts to local factories, the uchiwa has played countless roles in Japanese life. It has served as a ritual object, a fashion item, an advertisement, an artwork, and a cultural souvenir.

Its name alone reveals its depth:

In Japanese, uchiwa comes from “uchi” (to strike) and “ha” (feather)—a tool to sweep away heat, insects, or evil.
In Chinese, 団扇 (tuánshàn) literally means “round fan”—a visual and elegant expression.

What makes uchiwa so special is its ability to adapt while remaining true to its essence. It has kept its core form for over 3,000 years, yet embraced every change in society, from woodblock printing to eco-friendly ink, from rituals to rebranding.

Even today, when most communication happens through screens, uchiwa remind us of the power of something tangible, personal, and crafted. They invite interaction, spark emotion, and tell stories—on paper, in hand, with wind.

So next time you pick up a fan, remember:
It’s not just sending a breeze.
It’s carrying centuries of culture with it.