Marugame Uchiwa (Round Fans) are uchiwa fans made mainly in Marugame City, Kagawa Prefecture. They are said to have begun in the early Edo period with shibu-uchiwa (fans coated with persimmon tannin) devised as souvenirs of the Konpira pilgrimage, and they grew into Marugame's representative local industry after the Marugame domain encouraged fan-making as a side job for its samurai. A true Marugame uchiwa has its handle and ribs made from a single piece of bamboo, and each fan involves as many as 47 steps, nearly all of which rely on the handwork of craftspeople. It was designated a national Traditional Craft in May 1997 (Heisei 9). According to the Kagawa Prefecture Uchiwa Cooperative Federation, Marugame accounts for about 90 percent of domestic production, with annual output of roughly 100 million fans or more, and together with its great variety of shapes, it is said to rank first in Japan. As it took on fan-making orders from all over the country, it also incorporated the strengths of other production areas. At the Marugame Uchiwa Museum in Nakazu-cho, Marugame City, visitors can watch craftspeople demonstrate their work and also try making a fan of their own.
Origin
The origin of Marugame Uchiwa is said to lie in shibu-uchiwa devised in 1633 (Kan'ei 10) as souvenirs for worshippers by the head priest of Konko-in, the betto (administering temple) of Konpira Daigongen. Modeled on the feather fan of the tengu, it was a sturdy fan with an odake maru-e (round handle made of odake bamboo), colored vermilion and marked with the 'maru-kin' (金 in a circle) emblem. The techniques of Marugame Uchiwa are thought to have been established by the early Edo period.
History
In the Edo period, the Marugame domain encouraged fan-making as a side job for its samurai, laying the foundation of the production area. In the Tenmei era (late 18th century), production is said to have shifted mainly to the medake maru-e (round handle made of medake bamboo). In the 19th century, Konpira pilgrims landed at Marugame Port, and the fans spread throughout Japan as souvenirs. In the Meiji era, production of the odake hira-e (flat handle made of odake bamboo), today's mainstream type, began, and division of labor and factory production advanced. It was designated a national Traditional Craft in 1997.
Features
The ability to source materials from nearby parts of Shikoku, with bamboo from Ehime, paper from Kochi and glue from Tokushima, is said to have supported the development of the production area. A true Marugame uchiwa has its handle and ribs made from a single piece of bamboo, and the finely split strips (ho) are woven together with thread to form the framework of the fan face. To make the fan hard to tear, the backing paper (jigami) is pasted on with glue whose consistency is adjusted to the thickness of the paper. Another characteristic is the wide variety of shapes, including flat-handled (hira-e) and round-handled (maru-e) types.
Materials Used
Production Process
- 1
Fushi-hadake (Removing the Node)
Bamboo is split to a set width, the node is removed, and the inner part that will become the strips (ho) is taken out. Making the bamboo an even thickness is an important task that determines the quality of the finished fan. Fan-making is broadly divided into the 'hone' (ribs) and 'hari' (pasting) stages, and rib-making begins here.
- 2
Saki and Momi (Splitting and Kneading)
A slitting machine cuts slits into the tip, splitting it at equal intervals into about 32 to 42 strips. The bamboo is then twisted left and right and kneaded down along the fibers to the node, shaping the strips into flexible ribs.
- 3
Anaake and Kama-kezuri (Drilling and Shaving the Kama)
A three-pointed awl (mitsume-giri) is used to drill a hole in the node section through which a part called the kama is passed. The kama is shaved with a kiridashi knife and is an important part that creates the beautiful curve unique to Marugame Uchiwa. Its thickness and length vary by fan type.
- 4
Ami and Tsuke (Weaving and Fastening)
Thread is passed through the kama and the strips are woven. White cotton thread is mainly used, though silk or colored thread is sometimes used as well. The strips are aligned so that the kama and the itoyama (thread arc) form a beautiful curve and made symmetrical, and then the thread is tied off.
- 5
Hari (Pasting)
The consistency of the glue is adjusted according to the type of fan, and glue is applied to the strips and backing paper to paste them together. Adjusting the glue to the thickness of the materials so that the finished fan is hard to tear is where the craftsperson's skill shows.
- 6
Tataki and Heritori (Tapping and Edging)
A 'tataki-gama' matched to the shape is placed on the fan and struck with a wooden mallet to cut off the excess and form the fan's shape. Finally, a long, narrow strip of 'heri-gami' (edging paper) is pasted around the edge, and the 'mimi' and 'giboshi' are attached to finish it.
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Artisans & Workshops
丸亀塩屋団扇株式会社
A fan manufacturer based in Iino-cho, Marugame City, and a member of the Kagawa Prefecture Uchiwa Cooperative Federation. Committed to manufacturing that combines traditional skills with contemporary sensibilities, it makes and sells bamboo fans as well as plastic fans, handmade fan kits and more.
Official site →紙工芸やまだ（うちわ屋涼）
A company established in 1975 in Manno Town, Nakatado District, which launched the Marugame Uchiwa specialty shop 'Uchiwa-ya Ryo' in 2020. It produces Marugame uchiwa made from a single piece of bamboo, handcrafted by Traditional Craftspeople (dento kogeishi).
Official site →How to Buy
- Marugame Uchiwa Museum (Museum Shop)
- It carries everything from traditional Marugame uchiwa made by Traditional Craftspeople to collaboration fans with designers and washi artisans, and small goods that make use of fan-making techniques. Gift boxes and fan stands are also sold.Where to buy →PR
- うちわ屋涼 (Uchiwa-ya Ryo)
- A Marugame Uchiwa specialty shop run by 紙工芸やまだ (Kami Kogei Yamada). The Marugame uchiwa introduced in its crowdfunding campaign had a planned general retail price of 4,950 yen (tax included) per fan. For Marugame uchiwa made as a Traditional Craft, around 5,000 yen can be considered a rough guide.Where to buy →PR
Hands-on Experiences
丸亀うちわミュージアム
香川県丸亀市中津町25-1
Under the guidance of Traditional Craftspeople and others, visitors can choose a favorite design and make one Marugame uchiwa. The fee is 1,000 yen per fan, it is open to ages 5 and up, and reservations are required by 15:30 the day before. It takes about 40 to 50 minutes. Admission to the museum is free, and it is closed on Wednesdays.
View details →FAQ
Q. Why did fan-making flourish in Marugame?
A. In addition to the fans spreading as souvenirs of the Konpira pilgrimage, a major factor is said to be that the Marugame domain encouraged fan-making as a side job for its samurai. The ability to source bamboo, paper and glue from nearby parts of Shikoku, and the fact that Marugame Port was the gateway for pilgrims, also supported the production area.
Q. What shapes of Marugame Uchiwa are there?
A. They are broadly divided by handle shape into 'hira-e' (flat handle) and 'maru-e' (round handle), and within the hira-e type there are various styles such as Ichimonji, Tamago and Kameyama. In the Edo period, the odake maru-e and medake maru-e were the main types, and the odake hira-e, which emerged in the Meiji era and later, is considered today's representative type.