Nara uchiwa is a traditional craft of Nara City said to be among the oldest types of uchiwa (flat fan) in Japan. Its origin is traced to the 'Negi Uchiwa,' made by a Shinto priest serving at Kasuga Taisha, founded in the Nara period. In the early Edo period, a monk of Kofuku-ji added his own refinements to a fan style introduced from China, perfecting a distinctive design featuring openwork carving (sukashibori) of motifs associated with Nara, such as deer and wisteria. Its defining feature is the openwork carving technique itself: 60 to 90 ribs — more than three times the number found in an ordinary uchiwa — are split from thin strips of medake bamboo and covered with washi paper, with the pattern areas then cut out with a carving knife. The unusually high number of ribs lets the fan flex gently, producing a soft breeze. All 13 steps, from dyeing the paper to bamboo-rib processing, sketching, openwork carving, and paper-mounting, are done entirely by hand within a single workshop without any division of labor — a feature not found in uchiwa from other production areas. Today, Japan's only specialty shop for Nara uchiwa, located in Nara City, has preserved this technique for more than 170 years.
Origin
The origin of Nara uchiwa is said to trace back to the 'Negi Uchiwa,' made by a Shinto priest of Kasuga Taisha, founded in the Nara period. At first it was used not so much for cooling oneself as for ceremonial purposes — to show a priest's high rank during Shinto rites, to hide the face, or to drive away insects. In the early Edo period, a monk of Kofuku-ji, drawing inspiration from a fan introduced from China, perfected the openwork carving (sukashibori) technique of cutting out patterns, giving rise to the prototype of today's Nara uchiwa.
History
Refined throughout the Edo period, the openwork carving technique developed into designs skillfully incorporating Tempyo-style motifs closely associated with Nara, such as deer and wisteria blossoms. While uchiwa-making in other regions is typically carried out through division of labor, Nara uchiwa has been passed down with the distinctive feature of a single workshop handling the entire process, from paper-dyeing to finishing. Today, Japan's only specialty shop for Nara uchiwa remains in Nara City, having passed down its technique and design across generations for more than 170 years.
Features
The greatest characteristic of Nara uchiwa lies in its frame of 60 to 90 ribs, split from thin strips of medake bamboo. This is roughly three times the number of ribs found in an ordinary uchiwa, and the flexibility this creates produces a soft, gentle breeze. The paper is decorated with openwork carving, done with a carving knife, of designs based on Nara's nature and Tempyo-style motifs such as deer and wisteria, which appear beautifully when held up to the light. Another major feature is that all 13 steps — including paper-dyeing, bamboo-rib processing, sketching, openwork carving, and paper-mounting — are done entirely by hand, without the use of any machinery.
Materials Used
Production Process
- 1
Paper Dyeing
The washi paper used for the fan surface is dyed in colors such as indigo or crimson, chosen without regard to season. This preparatory work is concentrated in the dry winter months.
- 2
Bamboo Rib Processing
Medake bamboo grown near Nara is selected and split into thin, even strips to form 60 to 90 ribs — a meticulous task producing roughly three times the number of ribs found in an ordinary uchiwa.
- 3
Sketching and Openwork Carving
Tempyo-style motifs associated with Nara, such as deer and wisteria blossoms, are sketched onto the paper, and a small knife is used to carefully cut openwork patterns along the outlines, one by one.
- 4
Paper Mounting (Tataki-bari)
Glue is applied to the openwork-carved paper, which is then gently tapped into place over the bamboo frame. This tense process is carried out in summer, when the paper is most prone to tearing.
- 5
Finishing
Excess paper is trimmed from the edges, and a handle is attached to complete the overall shape. A final inspection is carried out before the fan is finished as a completed Nara uchiwa.
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Artisans & Workshops
池田含香堂
Japan's only specialty shop for Nara uchiwa, founded more than 170 years ago. All 13 steps, from paper-dyeing to finishing, are handled without division of labor within a single workshop, and the sixth-generation head, Ikeda Masashi, carries on the traditional openwork carving technique today.
Official site →How to Buy
- 池田含香堂
- Japan's only specialty shop for Nara uchiwa. Openwork-carved Nara uchiwa start at around 2,420 yen and come in five colors — red, yellow, blue, and others — while rustic-style Nara-e folding fans are available for around 3,520 yen.Where to buy →PR
Hands-on Experiences
池田含香堂
奈良県奈良市角振町16
Offers a hands-on fan-making experience where visitors choose from about 20 designs and 4 colors of washi paper, for around 1,800 yen (shipping not included) and taking about 2 hours. Viewing only costs around 1,000 yen per person for individuals, and is free for school groups.
View details →