Marugame-uchiwa

Round fans from Kagawa producing 90% of Japan's uchiwa.

Marugame-uchiwa, a distinguished traditional fan originating from Marugame City in Kagawa Prefecture, Shikoku, holds the esteemed designation of a National Traditional Craft. Its rich history dates back to the early Edo period, gaining prominence as a popular souvenir for pilgrims journeying to Konpira-san shrine. Evolving from simple, practical tools for cooling and fanning cooking fires, these fans transformed into elegant accessories deeply embedded in Japanese culture, frequently gracing summer festivals, tea ceremonies, and daily life as symbols of grace and utility. The creation of a Marugame-uchiwa is a testament to meticulous craftsmanship, utilizing two primary natural materials: locally sourced, resilient bamboo and durable washi paper. The distinctive technique begins with the careful splitting of a single piece of bamboo, which ingeniously forms both the handle and the intricate skeletal frame of the fan. Master artisans skillfully employ the flat bamboo rib splitting technique, fanning out the bamboo into as many as 50 to 100 thin, precise ribs to create the characteristic shape. Following this intricate preparation, multiple layers of high-quality washi paper are meticulously pasted onto the bamboo frame, often adorned with beautiful hand-painted designs or traditional woodblock prints. What truly distinguishes Marugame-uchiwa is its unique integrated design, where the handle and the entire framework are crafted seamlessly from a single bamboo piece, unlike many other fans with separate attached handles. This cohesive construction, combined with the delicate balance of the finely split ribs and the resilient washi, results in a fan that is both aesthetically pleasing and remarkably durable. Each Marugame-uchiwa embodies centuries of tradition, exceptional skill, and the natural beauty of Kagawa, offering a gentle breeze and a tangible piece of Japan's rich cultural heritage.