Uchiwa

Uchiwa, also known as round silk fan, is a traditional Japanese fan. It is often used to create a breeze to keep cool in hot weather. They are part of Chinese seasonal traditions and are often given as gifts during these times. Originally, circular fan were made from big leaves and animal hair. The purpose was to purify and pray. Over time they have changed, and are now made from bamboo and paper. There are many kinds of pattern; during the Han Dynasty they were often decorated by famous calligraphers. During the Edo period they were made as souvenirs for shrines. During the Meiji period they were admired by foreigners and imported to other countries. The uchiwa fan subsequently spread to other parts of Asia, including Burma, Thailand, Cambodia and Sri Lanka, and such fans are still used by Buddhist monks as "ceremonial fans".

History

The oldest uchiwa can be seen in the records of ancient China, as well as the wall paintings of Ancient Egypt. By the end of the Kōan (Muromachi period) period, uchiwa was made from bamboo and paper.

Function

Uchiwa is used to fan cooking and to keep cool. Some people use it to purify disease. Uchiwa is almost always used in summer festival dances.

Uchiwa Media

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  Handheld Brise fan from 1800

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  Eros offering a fan and a mirror to a lady. Ancient Greek amphora from Apulia, Archaeological Museum in Milan, Italy

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  Replica of a short-handled bamboo fan, Warring States period Tomb.

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  Female attendants of Emperor Taizong holding large oblong fans known as wumingshan or zhangshan.

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  A pukuishan, a type of Chinese fan made with palm weaving.

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  A gunbai-uchiwa, the military leader's fan

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  Ready For The Ball by Sophie Anderson

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  Folding fan from France c. 1850

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  Lady with fan and shawl. Ulpiano Checa

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  A Filipina in traditional attire with an abaniko folding fan (c. 1875) which played a large part in courtship etiquette in the colonial Philippines