"Sensu"(a folding fan) *The history of "sensu"*

"Sensu" were made in Kyoto?prefecture in Japan, not in China. In the middle of the 7th century, it was used commonly by the upper classes. The "sensu" they used was called "Hiougi". The reason it was called "Hiougi" was that it was made of Hinoki (Japanese cypress).

The "sensu" of this era had two kinds, one for men and one for women. The "sensu" for?men was used to record, so its color was plain. It was used not only to record, but also to represent authority. "Sensu"?was made up of dozens of thin boards of Hinoki, and the more boards it was made of , the greater power it was represented. While for women,?"sensu" was tool of fashion.

In the middle of the Heian period, the material of "sensu" changed, from wood to paper. To make "sensu" of paper is the way today. This "sensu" was called "Kawahori-ougi" because it looked like a bat?(*Kawahori means a bat). In those days, only the aristocracy and the priests used "sensu", while common people were prohibited from using it.

China imported Japanese "sensu" in the Kamakura period, and Japanese "sensu" was affected by Chinese culture. Japan started to introduce Chinese methods of making?"sensu" in the Muromachi? period. In those days, the common people were allowed to use "sensu", and it was used for Nou, Sadou, and drama.

Reference; http://www.kyosendo.co.jp, http://www.hangesho.com

Written by Noriko

Last updated 6-Dec-2001