The History of the Folding Fan in Japan
— A Story Spanning Over a Thousand Years —
July 16, 2025
In Japan, even the smallest gestures can hold centuries of meaning.
Among such objects is the folding fan—a delicate yet powerful symbol of elegance, refinement, and quiet expression.
What began over a thousand years ago as a practical tool for writing gradually unfolded into an art form, a fashion statement, and a cultural icon.
In this article, we trace the journey of the folding fan through time, and discover how it became woven into the fabric of Japanese life.
From Writing Tool to Elegant Accessory
The folding fan originated in Kyoto during the early 8th century, not as a cooling device but as a writing tool made from wooden slats. These early fans, known as hiōgi, were used mainly by men of the imperial court. Soon, they evolved into beautifully decorated accessories, embraced by court women and used for communication and as fashionable gifts.
A Symbol of Courtly Life
In the Heian period, fans became an essential part of aristocratic culture, appearing in literature and art. Their use was strictly limited to the nobility, clergy, and imperial officials. With exquisite craftsmanship and meaningful designs, fans symbolized refinement, etiquette, and poetic expression.
Expansion to the Public and the Arts
By the mid-Heian period, paper fans such as the kawahori-ōgi emerged. Over time, their use spread to the general public and into traditional performing arts. Fans became indispensable in Noh, Kyōgen, Kabuki, Nihon Buyō (Japanese classical dance), and the tea ceremony—where they served not only as props but as expressive tools representing everything from waves and wind to sake bottles and swords.
International Influence and Edo Prosperity
During Japan’s trade with Portugal, Japanese fans were introduced to Europe and embraced by the nobility of Spain and France. In return, silk fans from Europe influenced Japanese designs. In the Edo period, fan-making became a protected and thriving industry in Kyoto, contributing to the everyday lives of common people as both practical tools and ceremonial items.
A Cultural Symbol That Endures
The fan’s shape—spreading wide like the Japanese character for eight (八)—is a symbol of prosperity and good fortune. Today, fans are still used in ceremonies such as weddings and children's rites of passage. From its origins in Kyoto’s imperial court to its presence in modern rituals and performances, the folding fan remains a quiet yet profound emblem of Japanese aesthetics and cultural continuity.
Like the gentle motion of a fan opening and closing, the history of this humble object reminds us that beauty often lies in quiet gestures and time-honored traditions.
Even today, the folding fan continues to carry the spirit of Japan—graceful, layered, and enduring.