Uchiwa, traditional hand-held fans that generally are made in the same shape as a Ping-Pong paddle, have long had practical uses in Japan. “We use them to light fires for meat grills, to cool ...

Sensu folding fans originated in Japan during the early Heian period, in around the ninth century, and were known as ōgi, a type of fan that could be folded up and carried easily.

Tucked away in the heart of Kyoto, Hakuchikudo has been a custodian of Japan’s timeless tradition of sensu (folding fans) for over three centuries.This renowned store is dedicated to preserving ...

The collapsible folding hand fan first appeared in Japan circa 637 CE. While the fan (or leaf ) was later made of paper, older hand fans were crafted from animal skins.