Type of Sensu
The many Forms of Japanese Folding Fan
Japanese folding fans — sensu, also known as ōgi — unfold into a remarkable range of forms.
Defined by material, purpose, and regional craftsmanship, each carries a distinct presence within Japanese cultural life.
By Material
Kami Sensu (Paper Folding Fan)
The most fundamental form of sensu. The leaf is made of paper, often traditional washi.
Kinu Sensu (Silk Folding Fan)
The leaf is crafted from silk or other fine fabrics, offering a softer texture and refined appearance.
Byakudan Sensu (Sandalwood Fan)
Made entirely from fragrant sandalwood. Unlike paper or silk fans, the leaf itself consists of solid sandalwood panels, often adorned with delicate openwork carving or painted designs.
Hi-ōgi (Cypress Court Fan)
Composed of thin slats of Japanese cypress, traditionally associated with court culture.
Take Sensu (Bamboo Fan)
Constructed solely from bamboo, including the leaf.
By Purpose
Natsu Sensu (Summer Fan)
Designed to invite a cooling breeze during warm months, the natsu sensu forms the image most people associate with a Japanese folding fan. Though rooted in summer, it moves easily across seasons.
Kazari Sensu (Decorative Fan)
Rather than stirring air, the kazari sensu inhabits space. Seasonal imagery, auspicious symbols, and luminous gold or silver leaf transform it into an interior presence. Before electricity, reflective surfaces even helped illuminate dim rooms. Decorative fans often appear in larger dimensions than everyday sensu.
Mai-ōgi (Dance Fan)
In Japanese classical dance and Kabuki, the mai-ōgi extends the performer’s gesture. Weighted ribs support controlled movement, while designs range from restrained simplicity to radiant brilliance. Beyond the stage, its form holds sculptural beauty.
Shimai-sen (Noh Fan)
Within traditional Noh and Kyogen theatre, the fan becomes indispensable. In Noh performance especially, color, pattern, and rank align precisely with the role portrayed, shaping meaning through disciplined detail.
Shūgi Sensu (Ceremonial Fan)
At engagements, weddings, and other rites of passage, the shūgi sensu rests closed in the hand or within the obi. Its presence signals formality and auspicious intent rather than physical motion.
Cha Sensu (Tea Ceremony Fan)
In the tea ceremony, the cha sensu establishes quiet order. Different tea traditions shape its handling, yet it typically remains closed, placed before the practitioner to mark a respectful boundary between host and guest.
For the samurai, the folded fan once echoed the position of the sword at the left side of the waist — a gesture expressing dignity and the absence of hostility. That legacy lingers in today’s practice.
Kōza Sensu (Rakugo Fan)
During rakugo storytelling, performers transform the kōza sensu with imagination and precision. In a single motion, it becomes chopsticks, a smoking pipe, a fishing rod, or a sword. Plain surfaces and concealed paper allow the object to shift seamlessly between roles.
Differences in Size
Shinshi Sensu (Men’s Fan)
Approximately 23 cm in length, offering a slightly broader span.
Fujin Sensu (Women’s Fan)
Typically between 20 and 23 cm.
The distinction rests primarily in proportion rather than prescription; personal choice prevails.
Regional Traditions
Kyō Sensu (Kyoto Fan)
Centered in Kyoto and Shiga, the kyō sensu carries over 1,200 years of history. Around 87 meticulous steps — divided among specialized artisans — shape each piece. Elegance and layered ornamentation often define its presence.
The name “Kyō Sensu” belongs exclusively to officially recognized producers affiliated with the Kyoto Folding Fan and Round Fan Cooperative Association.
Edo Sensu (Tokyo Fan)
As artisans relocated to Edo (present-day Tokyo), fan-making evolved alongside the city’s distinct culture. Edo sensu express simplicity and refined restraint. In many cases, a single artisan completes the entire work.
A Living Presence
From court ceremony to theatre stage, from domestic interiors to quiet ritual, sensu and ōgi move fluidly through Japanese life.
They do more than circulate air.
They shape gesture, define space, and embody a philosophy of beauty grounded in season, proportion, and presence.