An object that stands for something else
In many Japanese arts, the fan is less a tool for cooling than a prop that can stand for nearly anything. This article is about those uses and meanings. The shapes and history of the objects themselves are covered elsewhere under the types of fans.
A folding fan is compact, easily carried in a sash or sleeve, and can be shown open, half-open or closed. Each state allows a different gesture, and performers use the changes for effect. In daily life the closed fan also acts as a subtle sign of manners.
Fans in dance
In Japanese dance, a fan is among the most common props. A skilled dancer can use it to suggest a cup of sake, a letter, a sword, an umbrella, falling snow, moonlight or the movement of waves. A flick of the wrist can open the fan in a way that carries the beat of the music, and the angle of the fan against the face can suggest modesty, sorrow or joy. Classical dance pieces often use special fans with painted designs related to the story, such as cherry blossoms for spring or maple leaves for fall.
Training in the use of fans is a major part of dance study, and dance schools commonly have their own conventions. Apprentice entertainers and the geisha tradition use fans as part of their formal repertoire, with each performer carrying one for dance recitals and some banquet performances.
Fans on the stage
In noh theatre, performers carry a fan at nearly all times. A closed fan may serve as a symbol of a sword or a branch, and an open one can show the sweep of a scene or indicate a gesture of looking at the moon. Because noh uses restraint and few props, the fan carries much of the meaning.
In kabuki theatre, fans are used for comic or dramatic action and are sometimes oversized or brightly decorated. Characters may flutter them to show nervousness or use them to point.
The storyteller in rakugo storytelling typically sits on a cushion with only a folding fan and a small hand towel. The fan can become chopsticks, a pipe, a writing brush or a pen, and the storyteller’s sound and gesture make the object appear in the audience’s mind. It is a good example of how a plain prop can carry a whole scene.
Fans in ceremony and etiquette
Beyond the stage, fans in ceremony tend to carry quiet, formal meanings. In tea practice, a guest placing a closed fan on the mat in front of them when bowing is often described as a gesture of respect, creating a line between self and host. The Japanese tea ceremony is rich in such small signals, and details vary by school. At weddings and celebrations, folding fans have traditionally been used as auspicious items. The folding fan widens as it opens, a shape expressed by a word meaning “spreading toward the end” (suehirogari), which is taken to suggest a future that grows brighter. For this reason, a white or gold fan often appears in bridal dress or as a congratulatory gift, though specifics differ between regions and families.
In Shinto and Buddhist ceremonies, priests and officiants may carry ritual fans or wands made for the occasion, and these can be quite different from everyday fans.
In sumo, the referee holds a war fan during bouts, a link to the older military use. The fans used in ceremonial settings tend to be formal and elaborately made.
Everyday gestures and gifts
Fans have long been given as seasonal gifts, and in the heat of summer, a fan could be a modest thank-you. Shops, businesses and community groups give away paper fans printed with their names or designs. Folding fans are also used in summer clothing, tucked at the back of the obi with a yukata.
Fans also appear as decorative designs on kimono and household goods, a motif for good fortune and for the changing seasons. The design of an open fan on a kimono can suggest a festive mood.
Meaning is not fixed
It is tempting to give each fan gesture a precise meaning, but interpretations vary by tradition, school and period. What is consistent is the habit of letting an everyday object carry symbolic weight, and the quiet, indirect way of communicating that goes with it. Visitors who attend a performance will usually find that even those with limited knowledge of conventions can enjoy the grace of the movements.