Fans!!
There are 2 main kinds of fans in Japan. There are the flat fan (uchiwa) and the folding fan (sensu or ogi.) The flat fan is thought to come from Korea. This fan is usually carried in festivals. They are also given as an advertising gift from companies for the hot Japan weather. This fan is also used for the general to indicate to his armies his commands. In wars you can use it as a weapon as well!
The folding fan is an invention of the Japanese people. It originated in Kyoto in about 670 AD. It is made out of bamboo and paper. All the ones that were made with white paper would have love
poetry written on them and then they were presented to a loved one.
Buddhists use the same fans. At a ceremony no one would be perfectly dressed unless they carried a
sensu. It is carried by singers of classical Japanese songs such as Rakugo.
Last term our class made our own Japanese fans. To start with we got one plain paper folding fan and some Japanese brushes and ink. First of all we planned it on a piece of paper. We had to have at least one piece of Japanese writing on it. Next we lightly sketched our plan on to the actual fan. Then, carefully, we painted our designs on the fans with the ink. After they had dried, we outlined them in a black fine liner and got to take them home!
