Old Uchiwa Fan (1)

Bamboo and paper uchiwa fans were often given out  by shops as promotional material during  very hot Japanese  summers.  Huge numbers must have been made over the years because they still turn up and are reasonably priced.  This one is from  Gamataki fish shop in  Kikugawa-cho, Shizuoka.   The phone number is 9  - which gives an idea of how old  it is.  I only see this shape in very old fans  and it's in near perfect condition.  24cm x 34 cm.  This is good  an example of how Japanese traditionally have taken a simple everyday item and turned it into a work of art.   Early 20th century.

Price includes GST and postage within Australia