In which country was a hand fan used in the military?

Japanese fans are made of paper on a bamboo frame, usually with a design painted on them. In addition to folding fans (ōgi), the non-bending fans (uchiwa) are popular and commonplace. The fan is primarily used for fanning oneself in hot weather. The uchiwa fan subsequently spread to other parts of Asia, including Burma, Thailand, Cambodia and Sri Lanka, and such fans are still used by Buddhist monks as "ceremonial fans".

It was also used in the military as a way of sending signals on the field of battle. However, fans were mainly used for social and court activities. In Japan, fans were variously used by warriors as a form of weapon, by actors and dancers for performances, and by children as a toy.

More Info: en.wikipedia.org

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17 Comments

tbear

It would have been interesting if it explained how it was used as a weapon! 😊👍

Chris Braid

Good question, poor explanation!

Maia

Tbear, I believe the Samurai made their fans out of fine metal, both men and women would carry them as deceptions to their enemies (or possible enemies). So if that other person (s) threatened the fan-carrier the edge of the fan could be forcefully thrust into pressure points, the throat or belly. Of course, one would have to train beforehand.

mrsteve

"in the military" is very different than "as a weapon", so if it was used as such, how?

Dennis Lane

"It was also used in the military as a way of sending signals on the field of battle." Like Semaphore?

mapiferuk

It wasn’t used as a weapon but for signalling. Fans are very popular in Spain and in the XVIII and XIX centuries there was an extended code of signs used by ladies to communicate discretely, especially with their secret lovers.

ninakamwene

Domo Arigato. I have been to Japan and I like fans, they so pretty.

Wendy Griffin Anderson

Tessenjutsu, the art of the war fan, has a long and legendary history in Japan. It is a relatively rare skill in American martial arts schools, but I had the privilege of watching several fan kata (performed by an incredibly skilled and graceful young black-belt girl) when I was competing in North Mississippi ten years ago. It's an amazing and beautiful art form as well as an effective means of fighting.

bettye

tbear, used in the military to send signals

tbear

Maia , thank you, so much! Makes sense! 😊👍

tbear

Steve Edwards, no apologies necessary! Read Maia's comment! 😊👍

Steve Edwards

tbear, apologies for my last comment - I’ve just read the answer and saw the reference to weapons. Yes, I agree, it would have been interesting to know how!