Uchiwa and Sensu: Japan's Traditional Fans

One fan stays flat and breezy for summer festivals, the other folds away for tea rooms, stages and formal gifts.

Published October 19, 2026 at 12:38 AM JST | By Tokyo Paul

Quick answer: Japan has two main kinds of traditional hand fan: the uchiwa, a flat non-folding fan used for cooling off, and the sensu, a folding fan used for ceremonies, performing arts and decoration. Both are made from bamboo and paper, and both carry cultural meaning. Kyoto and Marugame are among the best-known fan-making centers.

Two fans, two jobs

The uchiwa is a flat fan with a handle and a round or oval head, made by stretching paper or fabric over a bamboo frame. It is the fan most people picture at summer festivals, moving air at a brisk pace and often printed with festival names, shop logos or decorative patterns. Because it is light and cheap to make, it is part of everyday summer life. The sensu is a folding fan with ribs that spread open into a half circle. It is carried when dressing formally, used as a stage prop, and given as a gift on auspicious occasions.

Its folded form is compact, which suits a pocket or a sleeve, and it can be opened with a flick of the wrist. Both types serve to cool the face, but they differ in feel. The uchiwa moves more air, while the sensu offers elegance and portability. Some uchiwa have notched or shaped heads in the form of leaves, gourds or waves, and the handle is often left plain so it feels comfortable in the hand. A well-made fan should be light and balanced rather than heavy at the tip.

A brief history

Fans in Asia date back to antiquity, and flat fans reached Japan from the continent. The folding fan, by contrast, is generally credited as a Japanese invention, developed around the Heian period and later carried to China and onward. Early folding fans were made of wooden slats, and later versions used bamboo ribs covered with paper. Heian court nobles wrote poems and painted designs on their fans, and exchanging them was a refined social gesture.

Over time, the sensu became part of formal dress for samurai and townspeople alike, and the uchiwa spread among ordinary households as a practical item. By the Edo period, fan shops in Kyoto and Edo produced many designs, including ukiyo-e inspired prints and seasonal motifs. That tradition continues in modern workshops. Fans also appear in other parts of Japanese life, such as the war fan of a commander or the large fan used by a sumo referee. These ceremonial types show how the object moved beyond cooling into the realm of symbol.

How fans are made

Making a fan is a craft that involves many steps. For an uchiwa, bamboo is split and shaped into a frame, with the ribs and handle often cut from a single piece. Paper is pasted over the frame, trimmed and sometimes finished with lacquer or decoration. Marugame in Kagawa Prefecture is well known for producing a large share of Japan's uchiwa. Sensu require even more precision. Dozens of slim bamboo ribs are shaped, the paper is cut and folded in pleats, and the pieces are assembled by specialists.

In Kyoto, the process is traditionally divided among many artisans, each focusing on a single part such as the ribs, the paper or the painting. Because of this division of labor, a finished sensu reflects the work of several skilled hands. Visiting a workshop or museum can reveal how much care goes into each piece. Paper choice affects the finished look. Washi, the traditional handmade paper, gives a soft texture, while printed paper allows bright and complex designs. Some workshops still use woodblock prints for particular patterns.

Fans in ceremonies and performance

Sensu play a role in many traditional arts. In Noh and Kabuki, actors use fans as props that can represent a sword, a cup or a stream of water. In Japanese dance, a fan extends the dancer's gestures. Rakugo storytellers, who sit on a stage alone, often use a fan to stand in for chopsticks, a pipe or a brush. In the tea ceremony, a small fan is placed in front of the guest as a gesture of respect and is not used to cool oneself.

Calligraphers and poets may also write on fans as gifts. The shape known as suehirogari, which widens toward the tip, is considered auspicious. For this reason sensu appear in wedding settings, New Year decorations and congratulatory gifts. Fans are sometimes used in Shinto rituals as well, where a priest may hold a flat wooden fan. The range of uses explains why the object has stayed relevant for so long.

Seasonal use and festival life

Uchiwa are most visible in summer. During Obon dances and fireworks festivals, many people carry one, sometimes tucked into the back of a yukata belt. Shops and companies hand out printed uchiwa as free promotional items, so you may be offered one at a train station or a street event during hot weather. Sensu are used in summer too, especially among people wearing formal or traditional dress.

They are also part of seasonal decor, with painted designs of waves, fireflies, autumn leaves or snow depending on the time of year. Both types are sold at souvenir shops, department stores and specialty fan makers. Since patterns change with the season, picking one that fits the time of your visit is a nice touch. Because the free uchiwa are often decorated with a company name or event title, many visitors keep them as informal souvenirs. They are also useful for fanning yourself on a hot train platform.

Buying a fan in Japan

Good places to look include Kyoto's traditional shopping streets, Tokyo's old districts such as Asakusa, and department store crafts floors. Specialty fan shops often offer a range, from simple paper uchiwa to hand-painted sensu in presentation boxes. Prices vary widely with the materials and workmanship, so compare a few options. If you want an authentic item, look for information about the maker or region on the tag. Some fans are made in Japan using traditional methods, while others are mass-produced.

Shop staff can explain the difference if you ask. Some workshops offer fan-painting sessions for visitors. Check the official site or a local tourist office for current availability and booking rules. A modest, well-chosen fan can make a thoughtful gift. If you plan to fly home with it, a flat box or sturdy envelope protects the shape, and a sensu can be tucked into a hard-sided bag to avoid crushing.

Care and etiquette

Keep a paper fan away from water and strong sunlight, which can warp the ribs or fade the colors. Fold a sensu gently along its natural pleats and store it in a dry place, preferably in its box or a cloth bag. In formal settings, follow the lead of your host. Do not wave a fan vigorously in a tea room or at a ceremony, and avoid pointing it at people.

When giving a fan as a gift, present it with both hands. At festivals, using an uchiwa is casual and welcome. Just be mindful of crowded spaces so you do not hit anyone as you swing it. If a paper fan tears, small repairs with thin washi and paste are possible, but valuable pieces should be taken to a specialist. Treat an heirloom fan with the same respect you would give any antique.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between uchiwa and sensu?

An uchiwa is a flat, rigid fan on a handle used for cooling, while a sensu is a folding fan with ribs. The sensu is also used in ceremonies, dance, theater and gifts, and it is more portable. The sensu is the better choice when you want something compact and formal, while the uchiwa suits casual summer use at festivals and fireworks displays.

Where are Japanese fans made?

Kyoto is famous for folding fans and decorated uchiwa, and Marugame in Kagawa Prefecture is known for producing a large share of uchiwa. Tokyo has its own historic fan-making tradition as well. Visiting a fan shop in one of these areas shows the range, and some shops explain how the ribs, paper and decoration are made if you ask.

Are fans good souvenirs?

Yes. They are light, relatively easy to pack and available in many designs. Look for seasonal patterns, check the maker's information if authenticity matters, and keep paper fans dry during travel. A flat box or sturdy envelope keeps them from bending in a suitcase, and a small cloth bag protects a sensu from scratches during the trip home.

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