Japanese Silk Fans

Love these Japanese Hand Fans and Japanese Silk Fans? You also have the choice to personalize them for FREE with the side handle print of your name or message from a minimum order of one (1) piece per hand fan style – perfect for when you need them to be your extra-sophisticated personalized fans and custom Asian hand fans for wedding favors, holiday gifts, birthday gifts, promotional hand fans, business gifts, souvenirs, and more! Iconic, eternally stylish, and purposeful because they are no less than the famous Japanese hand fans for summer, these Japanese folding fans will also spoil you and their recipients with their refreshing breeze, sturdy make and handy size making them easy to take anywhere for keeping cool, and beautiful designs rendering them a stylish addition to all your looks.




Make Your Summer Comfortable and Complete

Sample these Japanese silk fans from the Eastern seas, which will truly make your summer, special occasions, and fashion ensembles comfortable and complete. These Japanese silk fans are made in the famous design of the folding Japanese fans for summer, called the Ogi. As such, more than cooling implements that will surround you with the airy ambiance that you need for staying cool, they are the hottest Japanese fans to own! Having even just a piece of them is akin to giving yourself one of Asia's most beautiful and heirloom-worthy creations.

Look to your wedding or party setting, the beauty of the place where you want to go, the colors of the season or of your ensemble, the time of your event, the theme thereof, or your design ideals and let such design profile serve as your guide in choosing the perfect Japanese silk fan for you. These Japanese silk fans come in an exciting variety of colors and designs for two (2) good reasons: To greet you at every unfolding with their beautiful designs and the classy sheen of their silk fabric leaf, which features a Japanese-themed art ranging from simple lines and patterns, which are iconic to Japan's historical periods, to themed paintings of the season's landscape, Asian flowers, animals, insects, and symbols, and many more, and to make your tasteful design aesthetic standout on occasions where a great sense of style is essential.

Meant for comfortable and lasting usage, these Japanese hand fans are ribbed with lightweight high-quality bamboo, which may feature tiny laser-cutout designs. In their 8 inches long x 15 inches wide size (when opened), they can lend a soft yet cool breeze that is right for keeping cool on a warm day. And if you want them to bear your name or be made personal and extra-special as Asian gifts and favors, you have the option to personalize all of them for FREE with the lasting print of your custom text, which will be printed on their guard side.


Buy Now! FREE Personalization, FREE Shipping Above $150!

With one of these Japanese silk fans in your hand, truly have the time of your life because you have the perfect bridal silk fan and Japanese hand fans to give as bridal party gifts for your maid of honor and bridesmaids; to share to your family, friends, loved ones, and business partners as lucky Asian gifts; to accessorize a traditional Asian clothing, like the Japanese kimono, Yukata or summer kimono, and Chinese dress, as well as your casual, office, or special occasion ensemble; to color your chic indoor space as Asian decoration; to unfold as dance or theater props; to carry around from day to night for keeping cool, and many more.

House these Japanese hand fans in our hand fan sleeves (sold separately) for the smartest impact when giving them as Japanese gifts or Asian favors and to protect them from dirt and dust in-between uses and while kept inside your bag or drawer. Also, get your Japanese hand fans with FREE shipping to the 48 contiguous states of the United States for a minimum order amount of only $150! So, shop now and get your hands on these Japanese silk fans today! But don’t let the end of summer stop you though because we promise, you will surely enjoy bringing out these Japanese silk fans all-year-round.


What are the Types of Japanese Hand Fans?

Uchiwa. Also known as flat fans, non-bending fans, or rigid fans, the uchiwa is invented in China and features a flat, plectrum-shaped or circular frame over which paper or silk is securely stretched. It is traditionally made by splitting the top half of a bamboo stalk. The splinters are then splayed out to create a frame and finished with paper prints, called "uchiwa-e", or silk that is glued on top of the latter. These days, the frames of uchiwa are typically made from plastic.1

Sensu or Ogi. Also known as folding fans, the Japanese sensu feature multiple ribs that are joined at one end with a metal rivet, which allows them to pivot, and they are helped to open to 90, 120, 180, or 360 degrees, by a paper or silk leaf that is attached to their fanning ends. A variation of the Japanese sensu is the Brise Fan, like the Japanese wood fans, which have slats of wood or bamboo that are joined at one end with a metal rivet and joined at the fanning ends by thin, usually clear threads.


Types of Japanese Sensu or Japanese Folding Fans

Japanese Folding Fans for Ceremonies.

Hi-ougi. Also known as Japanese traditional ceremonial fans or Cypress Fans, they are made by binding thin strips of Japanese cypress, known as "hinoki, with silk strings, the Hiougi is the oldest style of Japanese fan. They are available in two (2) types: Plain white, which are mainly used by priests in Buddhist Temples and Shinto Shrines; and, with featured prints in fancy colors and five-colored fringes, which are used by the court ladies during traditional ceremonies and Japanese traditional court dances in Imperial Courts.2

Ceremonial Fans for Japanese Monks

  • Chukei: This Japanese folding fan flares at the tip when closed and was held by the Daimyo, court nobles, high-ranking samurais, and monks (although Buddhist hierarchy has different models of hand fans).3;
  • Bonbori: A simple form of the Chukei and is used mainly by Buddhist missionaries.
  • Onatusen: Designed as a daily-use fan, its head part is unfolded to only about the size of the chukei.

Noh Theater Fans or Japanese Classical Dance Fans

  • Shimai-sen or Chukei. Also known as Noh theater fans, the chukei is generally held by the shite or waki actors. Mai-ougi. A ten-ribbed folding fan for Japanese dances, it features thin, widely-spaced ribs and a showy leaf, which distinguishes the Japanese dance fan for a man and woman. Children's Japanese dance fans measure 26 cm, while for adults measure 30 cm.

Japanese Fans for Special Occasions and Formal Ceremonies:

  • Cha-sen. Used for a tea ceremony, it is also known as Chaseki-sen and is a small folding fan that is generally sized 15 cm (6 inch) for women and 18 cm (7.4 inch) for men. Used as a sign of respect, it is tucked onto the left side of the obi upon entering the tea ceremony room and is placed infront of the owner when introducing himself, making apologies, or saying thanks. Tea ceremony fans come in a wide variety of designs, including passages quoted from the 100 poems about the rules of preparing and serving tea by Rikyu, the found of the Japanese tea ceremony, emblems of the Sen-ke School, which was founded by Rikyu, or symbols of flowers and sweets suitable for the occasion.4
  • Kohsen. Non-scented fans used in Kodo or incense ceremonies.
  • Suehiro Fans. Used for happy events, like engagement and wedding, Suehiro fans' black, lacquered ribs are finished with a strong gold-colored paper leaf. Suehiro literally means tips spread or open, which figuratively connotes auspicious, thus, these Japanese wedding fans are considered one of the customary Japanese gifts for couples and are believed to shower the latter with a happy and rich family.
  • Mofukusen. This is a black folding fan used in the case of a funeral.

Japanese Summer Fans (Natsu-sen).

Although "natsu" means "summer" in Japanese, a natsu-sen is used by both men and women regardless of the season. They come in a wide variety of styles and colors, measure about 23 cm (9.2 inch) in size for men and 20 cm (8 inch) for women, and feature curved framework wooden or bamboo framework and leafed with Japanese traditional paper, or washi, or silk. Among their variations include:

  • Kinusen. Japanese folding fan that is leafed with silk or satin.
  • Byakudansen. Also known as Japanese sandalwood fans, they have strips of sandalwood that is joined by a metal rivet and clear string, or leafed with traditional Japanese paper.

Japanese Decorative Fans (Kazari-sen).

  • Mama-sen. Also known as Japanese Doll Fans, they measure between 3 to 9 cm and held by Japanese geisha dolls. Kawahori Hand Fan. This is a 5-ribbed Japanese folding fan with black wooden or bamboo ribs and colorful leaf made of traditional Japanese paper. Typically decorated on walls or alcove, their name "kawahori" essentially means "bat", and was called as such around 1100 years ago because it was said to unfold like the wings of a bat. At that time, they were used only by priests, nobles, and oracles and in court palaces, they were used for writing love letters, passed with perfume to the person who liked it very much, and considered a romantic property.5

Hand Fans as an Icon of the Japanese Culture

Hand fans were important in many aspects of Japanese society from warrior to actors and dancers. The very first folding hand fan was invented in Japan during the 8th Century and spread to China by the 9th Century. The Japanese believe that the top of the fan symbolizes the beginning of life and the ribs are for the roads of life going out in all directions.