The Folding Fan in Japanese Culture
— In Traditional Performing Arts and Cultural Expression —
March 3, 2026
When the folding fan first appeared in Japan, its use was limited to aristocrats and Buddhist clergy, and common people were not permitted to carry it. During the Kamakura and Muromachi periods, these restrictions gradually eased, and the fan became more widely accessible. Over time, it spread throughout society and came to occupy an important place in Japanese culture.
Today, the folding fan is an essential presence in many traditional performing arts.
For a more detailed look at the history of the folding fan, please see our separate article dedicated to its origins and development.
Noh and Kyogen
In Noh — a highly stylized form of classical musical drama — the folding fan is considered an indispensable stage prop. In principle, nearly all performers on stage carry a fan. This practice reflects older customs in which carrying a fan signified formality in public settings, a convention that also remains in tea gatherings and other traditional contexts.
The shape and design of the fan are determined according to the role and the specific play. Within the performance, a single fan may represent a cup, a sword, a letter, or other objects. It can also suggest natural elements such as wind or rain. Through codified gestures, the fan functions as a versatile symbolic tool.
In Kyogen, which developed alongside Noh as a form of comic theatre, the fan is likewise used as a substitute for everyday objects. It may represent a kitchen knife, a writing brush, a cup, a saw, or a weapon, depending on the context of the scene.
Tsukioka Kōgyo (1869–1927), Hagoromo from Nogaku Hyakuban (One Hundred Noh Plays), woodblock print, c. 1898–1903. Collection of the Art Institute of Chicago.
Kabuki
In Kabuki — a theatrical form known for elaborate costumes and dynamic performance — the folding fan appears frequently on stage.
Actors combine the opening and closing of the fan with posture and facial expression to convey emotion and character. The fan may also be used to suggest wind, flowing water, or ritual gestures such as pouring sake from a flask. In other scenes, it may represent a sword, spear, cup, or writing brush.
Rather than relying solely on realistic stage properties, Kabuki employs the folding fan as a flexible expressive device within its stylized theatrical language.
Utagawa Toyokuni (1769–1825), Hamamuraya: Segawa Kikunojo III as Shirabyōshi Hisakata, from Portraits of Actors on Stage (Yakusha butai no sugata-e), woodblock print, c. 1789-1799. Collection of the Art Institute of Chicago.
Nihon Buyo
Many forms of traditional Japanese dance make use of the folding fan. In Nihon Buyo — a traditional form of Japanese dance that developed alongside Kabuki theatre — the fan used for performance is known as a mai-ogi (dance fan).
The fan enhances the beauty of the dance, complementing the costume and the movements of the performer. The painted motifs on its surface contribute to the atmosphere and world of the piece. By adjusting how widely the fan is opened, dancers expand their expressive range.
With the use of a single fan, a performer can depict expansive scenery without elaborate stage sets. The waves along a shoreline may be suggested through flowing movements of the fan, while the falling of leaves can be expressed through its gentle opening and closing. Through this restrained prop, both landscape and emotion are brought to life.
Uemura Shōen (1875–1949), Jo-no-Mai, color pigments on silk, 1936. Collection of the Tokyo Metropolitan Central Library.
Rakugo
In Rakugo — a traditional form of seated comic storytelling performed by a single narrator — the folding fan is an essential tool used by the storyteller. In this context, it is often referred to as a koza sensu, named after the raised stage (koza) on which the performer sits.
Compared to ordinary summer fans, the stage fan is typically larger and more durable. It is most often plain white, as colorful or decorative designs are generally avoided.
During a performance, the fan may represent a pipe, chopsticks, a fishing rod, a sword or spear, an umbrella, or a sake flask. Subtle differences in how it is held or manipulated allow the storyteller to distinguish between characters. In the hands of the performer, a single fan becomes many objects.
Ochiai Yoshiiku (1833–1904), Shunshoku Sandai-banashi (detail), edited by Harunoya Iku, woodblock print, 19th century. Collection of the Tokyo Metropolitan Central Library.
The folding fan is not only a tool for creating a breeze.
Within Japanese culture, it has developed as a means of expressing scenery and emotion. In the world of traditional performing arts, a single fan can become the sea, the wind, or even the inner feelings of a character.
To evoke a vast world through a small object — this reflects mitate, a mode of expression that lives within Japanese culture. It is one of the elements that has contributed to the depth and richness of Japanese aesthetics over time.
At YuGetsu., we value these cultural foundations while carefully selecting folding fans that carry a quiet and enduring beauty.