 apanese fans, or sensu, are one of the crafts that the world sees as symbols of Japan. They are usually ornamented as interior goods which have a Japanese flavor.
The original way to use a Japanese fan is to unfold it and improve airflow around you when you feel the weather is hot. But the Japanese fan for Japanese people is an idiosyncratic tool that has been deeply connected to their own traditional culture, customs and spirits.
For example, Japanese traditional crafts have another name: ?Suehiro?, because its end is unfolded. Such crafts have been used as good-luck talismans for marriage ceremonies and celebrations for longevity. In tea ceremonies and Japanese dancing, Japanese people laterally put a shut paper fan in front of them when they make the usual greetings. In that case, it indicates their modest attitude towards the other people; the opposite side across the paper fan means a seat of honor and the immediate side from it is a lower-ranking seat. In Japanese wedding ceremonies, there is a traditional practice that men put in their own belt. It means it is the alternative of a knight's power.
The origination of such paper fans is said to extend back over 1,200 years. In the era when paper was still a valuable item, characters were written on elongated woodblocks. At that time, the typical paper fans had been manufactured by piling up the woodblocks and making an opening on the other side. At first, they were used with the formal clothes of royal court members or aristocrats and in ceremonies by monks or Shinto priests. Then, the type with attached paper (similar to the modern version) started to be manufactured. Around the 13th century, they were used by many sumurai to spur on military advances. Around the same time, common people started to use them as well.
Kyoto is famous as the traditional place for the production of Japanese fans. When their materials (including Japanese paper and bamboo) are obtained within the country and they are manufactured in Kyoto, we call them?Kyo-sensu?. Hakuchikudo is a craftwork shop in Kyoto. Approximately 290 years has passed since the founding of the company. In 1718, Hakuchikudo made a branch shop for Japanese fans in front of Nishi-Honganji Temple. At that time, the main customers were hotels and temples. Currently, the shop is in the Sanjo area, which has many stylish stores.
When you visit Hakuchikudo, you?ll probably be surprised at the richness of Japanese fans. Hakuchikudo?s persistency is to take a stance to try anything new at any time, while maintaining Japanese traditions. You may find your favorite paper fans: classical Japanese-inspired ones, modern textile-processing ones and Swatow. Jointly-produced crafts by foreign designers are also popular. Our commodities have a wide variety of intended purposes: for general purposes, Japanese dancing and tea ceremonies. They?re sometimes used as glittering ornaments. You? ll be satisfied with a taste of Japanese culture just by seeing our commodities. In our shop, you can paint things that you like and experience tousenkyou (a traditional game where you throw a paper fan at a target.) Such exciting events in the store may remain in your heart. |
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This decorative fan is perfect for display. ?Pine,
Bamboo, and Plum? 8,925 yen |
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Fan, coin purse, and hair scrunchie all coordinated with the same design.
?Flower Print Yuino? Fan 2,625 yen, Coin Purse 840 yen, Scrunchie 1,050 yen |
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The elegantly designed Hakuchikudo Main Store. |
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TEL: +81-(0)75-221-1341 FAX: +81-(0)75-221-2759
Address: 448, Shirakabe-cho, Rokkaku Agaru, Fuyacho-Dori, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto
Available languages: English, Japanese
Website: http://www.hakuchikudo.co.jp/
Credit cards: VISA, MASTER, Diners Club, American Express, DC, etc. |
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