Japanese Paper Fans Facts and Features
Our Japanese paper fans, especially Japanese paper folding fans, or
Sensu, are authentic handicrafts of artisans in Japan. They are made of up to twenty-five (25) wooden or bamboo ribs that are secured at one end with a metal or plastic rivet, called
Kaname, and finished with Japanese paper, like rice paper, Saa paper, Japanese foil, and patterned Japanese paper, among many other types of traditional Japanese paper, especially handmade washi, which are loved for their exceptional strength and which are difficult to find outside Japan.
On the average, these Japanese paper fans measure approximately 8" in height and 15" wide, are lightweight due to the combined lightness of traditional Japanese paper and their wooden ribs, feature a Japanese-style print on one or two sides of the fan, and can lend a refreshing breeze enough to keep their user cool and smart on the summer or amidst the warm and humid weather.
While they, basically, share the delicate nature of paper, these Japanese paper fans, however, can be used over several occasions, especially when handled with care and properly kept inside a hand fan pouch or hand fan box, or on a display stand, when not in use. Come back so often to checkout the various prints and designs of Japanese paper hand fans that we offer here on AsianIdeas.com.
Shop Personalized Japanese Paper Fans for Weddings and Gifts
Japanese paper fans make perfect Japanese gift or Asian souvenir of your Asian wedding, Chinese New Year gifts, Thank You gift for your clients and shareholders, and as promotional fans, especially that you can also choose to personalize them with a single-line text that will be laser-engraved on one of their spokes or
Oyabone.
Shop for your Japanese paper fans and personalized Japanese paper fans cheap when you buy them bulk or wholesale and checkout our more of our
personalized hand fans, Japanese hand fans, and other paper-related home, office, wedding, or party supplies that are sure to charm your family and friends with their exquisite Oriental design.
Brief History of Japanese Paper Hand Fans1
Japanese paper hand fans are said to extend back to over 1,200 years ago. In the era when paper was still a valuable item, characters were written on elongated woodblocks. At that time, the typical paper fans had been manufactured by piling up the woodblocks and making an opening on the other end.
At first, they were used with the formal clothes of royal court members, or aristocrats, and in ceremonies by monks or Shinto Priests. Then, the type with attached paper similar to the modern version, started to be manufactured. Around the 13th century, Japanese paper fans were used by many samurai to spur on military advances. Around the same time, common people started to use them, as well.
Reference:
1 http://www.kyoto.travel/kgs/hakuchiku/index.html