20/08/2026
Few objects are as closely associated with summer in Japan as the traditional fan. Yet Japanese fans have long been much more than a practical way to keep cool.
Two of the best-known styles are the folding sensu and the rigid uchiwa. Over the centuries, fans have found a place in everyday life as well as in traditional dance, theater, tea ceremony, festivals, and formal occasions. Their surfaces also provide a natural canvas for artists, with designs ranging from seasonal flowers and landscapes to birds, calligraphy, and bold decorative patterns.
Fans themselves can be beautiful collectibles, but their distinctive shape also appears throughout Japanese art and design. Fan motifs can be found on ceramics, textiles, lacquerware, prints, and countless other decorative objects.
In this post, we celebrate the Japanese fan in its many forms. Whether made from bamboo and paper, painted as a work of art, or appearing as a decorative motif, each piece reflects a tradition that combines beauty and function in a uniquely Japanese way.
1. Chinese Silk Paper Folding Fan Botan Peony Sensu Bamboo Frame Green Brown 4D984
2. Japanese Paper Fan Fukakusa Uchiwa Bamboo Vtg Morning Glory Goldfish Summer U177
3. Japanese Utamaro Selection Ukiyoe Woodblock Printing Hanga Kimono Lady FL187
4. Japanese Fabric Folding Fan Sensu Vtg Bamboo Frame Floral Medley Roses 4D920
5. Japanese Porcelain Sometsuke Plate Vtg Blue White Uchiwa Maple Leaf Plum PY786
To explore all our collections, visit: chidorivintage.com
If you are looking for something special or have questions, email Dan and Maiko at [email protected].
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