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"Uchiwa" are a traditional Japanese fan, made by attaching paper to a radiating bamboo skeleton. Recently, the use of uchiwa for cooling has dwindled with the proliferation of air conditioners and electric fans, but they are still used today in a variety of situations. "Uchiwa" is one of the words used to indicate summer in Japanese poetry. In present-day summer, uchiwa printed with advertisements are handed out in the streets as a promotional device. They are also used to fan the flames of a barbeque, and are held when wearing yukata (Japanese light summer kimono) at festivals.

The Shibu Uchiwa*, printed with the Japanese character for "gold," was devised as a souvenir for pilgrims going to the Konpira Shrine on the island of Shikoku. Around the middle of the Edo era, the retainers of the Marugame fiefdom made fans to supplement their income, and thus the base of Marugame Uchiwa production came to be. Today, it accounts for around 90% of uchiwa produced naturally. *Shibu Uchiwa The surface is coated with the juice of unripe persimmons. A very practical uchiwa used particularly in the kitchen, resistant to water and insects and good for producing a strong breeze. As time passes the color becomes deeper. Global warming has become a world-wide problem. Uchiwa are a traditional device for producing a cool breeze. If each person makes just a small sacrifice, we can prevent global warming. This summer, why not cool down by fanning yourself with an uchiwa--which makes you feel cool just by looking at it. Not only a tool for keeping cool, uchiwa are also receiving attention as a base for strongly designed art for admiring and decorating with.

A handle made of round bamboo as-is A flat, neatly carved handle made of a piece of bamboo split to the necessary width Paper is pasted onto a frame made of finely split bamboo arranged vertically and horizontally. In 3-spoke and 4-spoke frames.

Taking advantage of the fact that bamboo splits straight, a piece is split to a proscribed width. The special feature of Marugame uchiwa is that the handle and frame are often made from a single piece of bamboo. There are both round handles (maru-e) and flat handles (hira-e). Marks are made for the 35-45 spokes, and they are then divided in even intervals. Working at a speed the eye can't catch, a skilled craftsperson can make 500-800 spokes in one day. Then string is tied and the uchiwa's shape is established. Glue is spread on the spokes of the frame, and the base paper is stuck on. Depending on the variety of uchiwa, the spokes are worked into a circle, egg, or some other shape. Long, thin paper called "herigami" is attached around the edge to make it safe.

A graceful uchiwa that looks refreshing too, with thin, transparently woven cloth spread over the bamboo frame. This is the "Fuufu" cloth uchiwa, newly developed by the husband-and-wife team of Mr. and Mrs. Nagato. (In Japanese, "Fuufu" means both "married couple" and "wind-cloth.") When you pick it up you will be initially surprised at its lightness, then when you wave it you will be surprised anew by the soft, gentle breeze produced. These uchiwa are always hand-made one by one, but there are a number of secrets to the construction of these cloth fans that prevents even a veteran craftsperson from making them quickly. This is because they are a product finally perfected after long years of trial and error by Mr. and Mrs. Nagato. They look transparent and cool, and their elegant appearance has a true presence. A stand-out item good to use or to decorate with; we recommend you enjoy yours long into the future. Very light to hold, as if it's dancing on air The production of Fuufu uchiwa starts from the collection of the materials, such as chestnut cases, onion skins, plum, cherry, olive and wax myrtle (a tree from the city of Marugame). The stretching and bending alone is difficult, but these products insist on being made by hand. They each have a different texture, and you can feel the warmth as the blessings of nature change into colors.