Takashima Senkotsu are the bamboo ribs of folding fans, made in Takashima City, Shiga Prefecture, especially along the Ado River basin. The region produces roughly 90% of all fan ribs distributed in Japan. It is said to have begun in the Edo period as a side occupation during the winter farming off-season, making use of madake bamboo planted along the Ado River. Craftsmen make a distinction between oyabone, the outer ribs that support both ends of the fan, and nakabone, the inner ribs that fan out from the pivot, and the process of splitting, shaving, and polishing the bamboo runs to about 18 steps for the oyabone and about 16 for the nakabone, each handed from one specialized craftsman to the next in a division-of-labor system. Most finished fan ribs are sent to fan wholesalers in Kyoto, where they are papered and painted to become 'Kyo-sensu' (Kyoto folding fans) — making Takashima the unsung backbone that supports the glamorous Kyoto fan industry from behind the scenes. In recent years, efforts have also spread to create original local products, such as cloth fans using Takashima fan ribs.
Origin
Takashima Senkotsu is said to have begun in the Edo period as work during the winter farming off-season, using madake bamboo that grew wild and was cultivated along the Ado River flowing through what is now Takashima City. In addition to being a bamboo-producing region, the area's location made it easy to travel to and from Kyoto via the Ado River's water transport, and it developed as a production center supplying fan ribs, the skeletal framework of the folding fan, to Kyoto, where the fan industry flourished. The climate and natural conditions favorable to growing high-quality madake bamboo also helped the region develop as a production center.
History
Fan-rib making in Takashima has been passed down for more than 300 years, continuing to develop as an important local industry along the Ado River basin from the Meiji era onward. Today, Takashima is said to account for roughly 90% of all fan ribs distributed within Japan, with most of the finished ribs sent to fan wholesalers and manufacturers in Kyoto to be completed as Kyo-sensu. In recent years, some local businesses have also begun finishing and selling fans themselves, working to promote the region as a brand in its own right.
Features
Takashima Senkotsu uses high-quality madake bamboo grown for three to five years, but only a small portion of the bamboo — after the bark and core are shaved away — can actually be used as rib material, with about 90% becoming scrap; the material is chosen with remarkable extravagance. Craftsmen distinguish between the oyabone, the outer ribs supporting both ends of the fan, and the nakabone, the inner ribs, finishing them through a division-of-labor process of splitting, singeing, shaving, and polishing the bamboo, handed from one specialized craftsman to the next. The result is a fan rib thin enough to flex gracefully, producing a pleasant breeze.
Techniques
Oyabone-making
The process of finishing the oyabone, the outer ribs on both sides of the fan that support the whole structure. Achieving both thickness and strength while producing a beautiful curve requires as many as 18 steps.
Nakabone-making
The process of finishing the nakabone, the inner ribs that line up from the pivot to support the fan's paper surface. They must be finished thinner and lighter than the oyabone, requiring about 16 steps.
Materials Used
Production Process
- 1
Harvesting and de-oiling the bamboo
Madake bamboo grown for three to five years is cut, then heated over a flame to draw out its oils while being straightened.
- 2
Splitting
The bamboo is split lengthwise into thin strips matching the width of the fan ribs.
- 3
Shaving
The bark and core of the bamboo are shaved away, leaving only the thin section used for the fan ribs; about 90% of the material becomes scrap.
- 4
Polishing and finishing
The shaved ribs are polished to even out their thickness and shape, finishing them ready to be bundled at the pivot.
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How to Buy
- すいた扇子
- A long-established fan shop in Adogawa, Takashima City. It manufactures and sells original fans using Takashima fan ribs, decorated with motifs such as Otsu-e paintings and the Eight Views of Omi.Where to buy →PR
- 鈴木扇子店
- A long-established maker of Takashima fan ribs. It supplies ribs to cloth-fan brands and pursues a wide range of other initiatives, and sells fan products through its own website.Where to buy →PR
Hands-on Experiences
すいた扇子
滋賀県高島市安曇川町西万木62
Reservation required. Visitors can try a hand-painting experience to finish a one-of-a-kind original fan, with content accessible enough for children to join.
View details →FAQ
Q. What is the difference between Takashima Senkotsu and Kyo-sensu?
A. Takashima Senkotsu refers to the bamboo rib framework of the fan itself, which becomes a 'Kyo-sensu' once paper is applied and painted in Kyoto. Takashima City specializes in producing the fan ribs, while much of the finishing work is handled by Kyoto artisans, in a division-of-labor relationship between the two regions.