Round Japanese Fan 'Aisai'

Round Japanese Fan 'Aisai' — Traditional Uchiwa Flat Fan

The round uchiwa is the most iconic form of Japanese flat fan — the shape you see in countless ukiyo-e prints, summer festival photographs, and traditional Japanese dance performances. Unlike the folding sensu, the uchiwa stays permanently open, providing continuous cooling with each movement. The round silhouette has been refined over centuries into the distinctive shape recognizable as fundamentally Japanese.

The name Aisai — meaning 'beloved wife' in Japanese — speaks to the fan's historical role as an everyday household object. Traditional Japanese families kept multiple uchiwa on hand throughout summer, hanging them on walls between uses and handing them out to guests as a gesture of hospitality. This deep domestic role shaped the uchiwa into the familiar form we know today.

Built with a bamboo wood frame and handcrafted construction, the Aisai measures 13x24cm — compact, easy to carry, and comfortable to hold for extended use. The bamboo handle extends naturally from the fan's framework, giving the piece structural continuity and the characteristic feel of traditional uchiwa craft.

The Aisai works beautifully for summer use, festival wear, garden parties, or as a distinctive everyday accessory. It also serves as a charming decorative piece when displayed in Japanese-inspired interiors or hung on walls in the traditional uchiwa storage style. A thoughtful gift for anyone drawn to classical Japanese summer culture.

• Traditional flat fan (uchiwa) design
• Bamboo wood structure
• Handcrafted construction
• Dimensions: 13 x 24 cm
• Functional accessory and decorative piece