Japanese Fans

  The earliest representations of fans in Japan, whether it be a Japanese wall fan or a Japanese hand fan, can be traced back to the sixth century AD in Fukuoka, on the island of Kyushu. China influenced Japanese culture in terms of art and this can be seen from the earliest Japanese fans. The Japanese fan from this era shows a marked resemblance to those seen in the Han dynasty (25-220 AD) of China. Further evidence for the early history of fans in Japan can be seen from a painting that was discovered in the old city of Nara in 1972.

  This painting shows a courtier carrying a circular screen fan of Chinese style. However, the first surviving Japanese fan was found among the vast collections of Shosoin, circa the year 756. This was during the Nara period (646-794) in Japan, which was characterized by strong Chinese influences. Among this influence was an early Japanese fan called a jinbi, which consisted of two vertical strips of wood, between which was fastened a large number of animal hairs.

  This particular early Japanese fan was used more for ceremonies and rank than as a practical instrument. Narrative scrolls painted from the end of the Heian period (794-1185) show that circular or semi-circular Chinese screen fans were still in use in Japan during that era. However, the screen fan was yielding to the popularity of two other types of Japanese folding fans. The first is called a hiogi and the second is the common Japanese paper folding fan.

  Many people like to think that the folding fan was first created in Japan, however, there is no conclusive evidence to prove it. A long history of fans in Japan ensued after the Heian period. Eventually, in the middle of the nineteenth century, vast quantities of Japanese fans were exported and sold abroad (over 15 million in 1891 alone). The tremendous export trade resulted in the Japanese fan slightly abating in quality and taste. Today, however, Japanese wall fans and Japanese hand fans are quite popular, and millions worldwide enjoy their use.