About Kyo Uchiwa
Kyo Uchiwa are round fans with separate handle and ribs, produced in Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture. They inherit the style of 'gosho uchiwa' (imperial fan) transmitted from China via the Korean Peninsula during the Nara period. Characterized by the 'sashie' (inserted handle) structure where a wooden handle is inserted after attaching painted washi paper or silk faces onto a finely split bamboo frame. Developed as a sophisticated division-of-labor craft among painters, rib-makers, and pasting specialists for use as summer decorations, cooling tools, and tea ceremony implements.
Techniques & Materials
Craft terms are shown in the original Japanese — these are proper names with no standard English equivalents.
Techniques
Materials
Where to see & buy
Workshop names are in Japanese; links go to their official sites.