Japanese fans are constructed of paper on a bamboo frame, usually with a painted design and are an important cultural symbol. Primarily, they are used to fan the body in hot weather. Fans symbolize respect, friendship and good wishes and are given to others as a present and also serve as trays for holding gifts. Sometimes they are used in religious ceremonies and events. Warriors would use fans as weapons and in the military, as a way of sending signals on the battlefield. Mainly fans were used for court and social activities. In Japanese dance performances, they are an important stage prop and for actors, as well and for children, they are toys. This is a real find in Japanese collectibles.
During the eighth century, the very first folding hand fan, called “sensu” was invented in Japan. However, in Fukuoka, as early as the sixth century, a wall painting of a burial mound depicted drawings of fans. In the early days, two types of Japanese fans existed, the “tuan shan” round fan and the “bian mian” screen fan. Painted fans and printed fan leaves are done on a paper ground, which was originally hand made, with the typical watermarks. Introduced in the nineteenth century, machine-made paper fans have an even texture and are smoother. During the Edo era, 1690-1868, Japanese collectibles fans transformed into works of art. They are ornately decorated and the thin wooden panels splay outward, in such a way, to catch the sun’s rays.
In today’s world, the preference is for paper fans, which are intricately painted and folded. Their continuing basic design is the paper-pivot attachment, which is a mechanism allowing the artist to be able to fold and open the fan, with just a slight maneuver of the wrist. In Japanese beliefs, the top of the handle on the fan is symbolic of the beginning of life and its ribs are for the roads of life, going out in all directions, in order to bring happiness and good fortune.
The gorgeous and breathtaking Japanese collectibles fan being offered is constructed of paper and lovely red wood on its frames and spines and comes with its original box. It opens to an astounding sixty inches (approximately) and the measurement, from top to bottom of the spine, is thirty-five inches. The fan is beautifully and vividly decorated with lotus flowers in blue, pink and red and cherry blossoms against a brilliant gold background. Two eye-catching phoenixes adorn the fan, which is edged in black at the top for a wonderful contrast.
There is significant symbolism for all the images on the fan. In Japan, the phoenix is called Ho-Oo, with Ho standing for the male bird and Oo for the female. The phoenix is to herald a new age and will descend from Heaven to Earth to do good deeds, then it returns to Heaven, to await a new era. The phoenix is not only a symbol of peace, when the bird appears, but also disharmony, when it disappears. In Japan, the phoenix stands also for sun, fire, fidelity, justice, obedience and eternity and the southern star constellations.
The lotus flower of midsummer, or suiren, symbolizes perfection, truth and immortality. The Japanese sakura, or cherry blossom, is a most delicate flower, blooming only for a short time. This stands for the transience of life. To own this amazing Japanese collectibles fan, is to incorporate all the intriguing symbolism, along with its remarkable cultural history and the fan will make a marvelous collectors item as well as a one-of-a-kind, elegant showpiece for your room!
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