Reply to "Japanese Fans"

Thank you for this delightful post yoko.

I also love your fans Teo.

I found some more interesting information about Japanese fans on this website:

http://www.geocities.com/dudeman_japan/history.html



History of Japanese Folding Fan


About 700
Around 1300 years ago, Japanese Folding Fans were made as a daily tool which is peculiar to Japan. At that time, this Fan was called [Hiougi - cypress], which is made of cypress' board as a material. This board was used as record.

About 900
Around 1100 years ago, this era's Japanese Folding Fan changed to the style in which we use today. Japanese traditional paper on a framework of rib, is folded over in many layers. This Fan was called [ Kawahori - bat]. This derivation came from its shape when unfolded fan. It looked like a Bat. At that time, these fans were used only priests, nobles, and oracles. But it was not allowed to be used by the regular people.

About 1300
Around 700 years ago, the Japanese Folding Fan was brought to China by Japanese priests. In China, the fan had changed dramatically [Silk Fan]. Until that time, Japanese fans used paper on one side. But in China, Chinese fans used papers on both sides.

About 1400
Around 600 years ago, the fan which had changed styles in China was imported as the Chinese Fan. Many patterns were used in Japanese Folding Fans.

About 1500
Around 500 years ago, the [Iron Folding Fan] had appeared. This Iron fan was used in the war to command troops.

About 1700
Around 300 years ago, it was the piping times of peace. Japanese Folding Fans were becoming a common way to cool off. Fans were used in tea ceremonies, Japanese Dance, and aroma. It played an important part among the Japanese culture. And wealthy merchants fixed Japanese Folding Fan luxurously. The fan began to be a trademark for many how designs.


About 1900
Around 100 years ago, the production of Japanese Folding Fans amounted to 20,000,000 in Japan. They became an important export products to get foreign currency. Most of export production consisted of fancy Japanese pictures. They were called 'trade style' or 'oversea style'.


About 2000
Today, traditional situations, Japanese Folding Fans play an important role as a property. Many people like to use it as a means of keeping cool in the hot weather.