1. Early Uses of the Uchiwa Fan: Blocking Sun and Hiding Faces, Not Just Cooling
In the Heian period, nobles used the uchiwa fan to avoid sunlight and hide their faces, in addition to cooling off [2]. Holding it in front of the face served a purpose similar to today’s parasols or masks. By the medieval period, it developed among courtiers and monks as a "ceremonial object" that displayed status. The materials were also different from the bamboo and paper fans we know today; they were made of silk, fibers of birō or bashō, and bird feathers [4]. At this stage, the fan was largely an item for people of high rank, rather than a common tool for ordinary people to fan themselves in summer.
2. Where the Uchiwa Fan Came From: Ancient China and Its Arrival in Japan
The uchiwa fan originated in ancient China, where it was used to ward off heat, protect the face from sun and wind, and decorate rituals and funerals [1]. During the Han dynasty, several poems were written about the fan [2]. It is said to have arrived in Japan from China around the Nara period, with surviving examples found in the Shosoin repository and Koryu-ji Temple in Kyoto. The first users were nobles and monks [3]. However, some explanations note that wooden artifacts from the Yayoi and Kofun periods have shapes similar to fans [4]. Because sources differ on when it was introduced, we do not settle on one specific date here.
3. How the Folding Fan Changed the Uchiwa's Role, and Its Use as a Military Fan
When the folding fan was invented in the Heian period, the popularity of the uchiwa fan declined. However, it continued to be used for ceremonies in the imperial court [1]. From the Sengoku period onward, warlords used "gunbai uchiwa," which were fans made of iron or leather, with lacquer coating, on the battlefield [2]. Here, we simply mention this as one type of fan-shaped tool.
4. How Bamboo-and-Paper Uchiwa Spread to Commoners in the Edo Period
The modern form of the uchiwa fan, with paper pasted onto bamboo ribs, was established around the end of the Muromachi period and spread to commoners during the Edo period [4]. Its uses were not limited to cooling. It was used to start fires for cooking, to drive away insects, and as a fashion accessory [4]. Regional styles developed, with Nara and Kyoto fans becoming well-known. Fans painted with images of kabuki actors or ukiyo-e scenes became popular items among women. The custom of giving fans as gifts during Obon and mid-year gift-giving continues to this day [2][1].
5. Marugame Uchiwa Fans: From Pilgrim Souvenirs to a Local Industry
Marugame uchiwa fans are said to have started as souvenirs for pilgrims visiting Konpira Shrine in the early Edo period. The Marugame domain (Kyogoku family) encouraged samurai to make them as side jobs, helping it grow into a local industry [5]. In 1997, it was designated as a National Traditional Craft, and about 90% of fan production in Japan is said to come from Marugame [8]. The transition from pilgrimage souvenir to industry through samurai side jobs reflects how the fan became something "given to others" and "part of daily work."
6. Why Wind From a Fan Can Make Your Body Feel Cool
Body heat leaves the body through convection, radiation, and evaporation. When the air temperature is lower than skin temperature, stronger wind moves more heat from the skin to the air (convection) [6]. The second reason is sweat. When sweat evaporates, it takes heat away from the skin, making us feel cool (latent heat of vaporization). Low humidity and strong wind make sweat evaporate more efficiently [6]. A rule of thumb states that "a 1 m/s wind may lower the perceived temperature by about 1°C" [7]. However, this is a general guideline and changes depending on humidity and temperature. Conversely, if the air temperature is higher than skin temperature, the wind brings heat to the body [6]. Wind is not always cool.
7. Uchiwa Fans as Advertising Media and How They May Be Used in the Future
In the Meiji period, fans rapidly spread as advertising media. They were distributed with shop names and product images [4]. From the mid-1960s onward (Showa 40s), the practical use of fans for cooling has shrunk due to the spread of electrical appliances. However, their cultural value is said to remain in gift customs and regional crafts [4]. From tools for hiding faces to household items, ads, and culture, the changing roles of the fan through the ages are what make its history interesting.
8. How You Can Investigate Uchiwa Fans Yourself
Things you can do today: Look at fans found in your home or town. Check the material of the ribs, the images, and whether there is advertising. You can deduce which era's role remains. Another method is to compare the coolness of a dry palm and a slightly wet palm when fanned. It is not exactly the same conditions as sweat evaporation, but you can feel the heat being taken away from the wet area. Results change with humidity and temperature, so trying it on different days or in different places is also interesting. Things you can do by going out: Local history museums or museums at fan-producing regions may display Edo-period painted fans and tools. Check opening days and exhibits before going. Official information: The Ministry of the Environment's explanatory materials on hot environments explain the relationship between sweat and wind in detail [6].