Craft Your Own Nagoya Folding Fan at a Heritage Fan Shop Near Nagoya Castle

Visit a Time-Honored Fan Workshop Reviving Tradition with a Modern Touch

Sensu, or traditional folding fans, are a symbol of Japanese summer. They play a key role in cultural practices like the tea ceremony, Japanese dance, and Noh, and also serve as stylish interior decorations. During the Edo period (1603-1867), fan-making techniques were introduced from Kyoto, making Nagoya one of the two major fan production centers alongside Kyoto. While Kyoto's "Kyo-sensu" are mostly made for women and dancing, Nagoya's "Nagoya-sensu" are mainly festive fans for celebratory occasions and used by men.

Entrance of Suehirodo Shinmichi Retail Store

Suehirodo: Crafting Nagoya Fans for Over 110 Years

Suehirodo, a Nagoya fan maker since 1912, preserves traditional techniques passed down through generations. Skilled artisans craft each fan by hand. Initially exporting fans, the company now focuses on modern styles. Collaborating with Nagoya Yuzen (a traditional Japanese dyeing technique) artisans, they create products for events and apparel brands, sparking new demand for fans.

The store displays a variety of fans, from decorative pieces for interiors to dancing fans

Explore the Production Process of Traditional Nagoya Fans

Start by discovering the process of making Nagoya fans. Watch videos and observe craftsmen at work in the workshop, getting a firsthand look at the tools they use.

A seasoned craftsman with 30 years of experience adds the final touches. Witness the impressive craftsmanship up close

Making a single fan involves over 10 processes, each expertly handled at Suehirodo under a division of labor system. Skilled artisans, with years of training, swiftly and beautifully finish each fan—a sight to behold.

Choosing Fan Surface and Fan Ribs and Picturing the Final Product

In this hands-on experience, you will learn to apply the fan surface on a 25-35 rib fan for everyday use. The larger the number of ribs, the more difficult the fan is to make.

Choose from 6.5" (for women, approximately 20 cm) and 7.5" (for men, approximately 23 cm) fan ribs in three types: white bamboo, karaki (imported wood), and black dyed (note: the 6.5" 25-rib fan is not available in black)

In the standard Suehirodo fan-making session, participants create an 11-rib fan. However, in this Wabunka exclusive experience, you will make a full-sized fan with 25 to 35 ribs. A skilled artisan will guide you carefully through the process so you can make your fan with confidence.

Pick your favorite from a variety of Japanese-style floral designs

Next, pick your preferred fan surface and fan ribs from the available options. The "fan surface" is the paper part responsible for creating a breeze when fanned. Both the fan surface and fan ribs come in sizes of 6.5" (for women) and 7.5" (for men), so it is recommended to decide on your preference first.

You can choose from a range of stylish designs, including designs featuring the Nagoya Castle

Experiment with various fan surface and fan rib combinations for a unique look. Consider the occasion, season, and what you plan to carry to find your perfect fit.

Learn “Fan Surface Pasting” — Part of the Actual Fan-Making Process

Once you have chosen a fan surface and fan ribs, you will try your hand at fan surface pasting with guidance from an artisan in charge of the finishing touches. This involves expanding the hole in the fan surface to insert the glued fan ribs, a crucial step in shaping the separate materials into a complete fan.

No need to worry if you are not confident with your hands – the craftsman will gently guide you on holding and inserting the fan ribs

At first glance, attaching the fan surface might seem simple. Yet, inserting the thin fan ribs into the 23 to 33 holes before the glue dries can be challenging. The craftsmen's skillful and speedy finishing, achieved through years of training, is evident in this intricate process.

Once the fan ribs are in place, the craftsman proceeds with the finishing steps of drying, fixing, and attaching the thicker outer two ribs

Journey Through the History and Future of Nagoya Fans

After inserting all the fan ribs, the class concludes, with the craftsmen taking care of the final finishing touches. During this wait, Ms. Naomi Kawase, the representative of Suehirodo, will give a talk on the Nagoya folding fan.

Ms. Kawase, Suehirodo's representative, gives a casual talk on the history of fans and their modern-day applications

Explore topics like Nagoya fan history, Suehirodo's story, fan types, and their uses. Reflecting on the processes you have observed and experienced as you listen to the talk will help you understand it better. Following that, pick a case for your fan. The experience concludes when your finished folding fan is placed in your chosen case.

Pick from a range of cases, including plain and chirimen (silk crepe) fabrics, and take them home with your folding fan the same day

Exclusive to workshop participants, enjoy a 20% discount on in-store purchases on the same day (some exclusions apply, and discount rates vary). Please take this opportunity to explore mizuhiki (traditional Japanese knots) decorations, modern accessories, and other products that can be enjoyed throughout the year in the shop.

Stunning mizuhiki decorations for the New Year available for purchase during the year-end and New Year holidays

Countless processes precede the arrival of a fan to us. Picture artisans, each trained for decades, contributing to every step. This unfolds the remarkable story behind the creation of a folding fan. Engage in making, observing, and using fans—a cherished part of traditional Japanese culture—to experience its rich world.