Kyosendo

It is thought that the folding fan was first created in Kyoto 1200 years ago, in the Heian period (8-9th century). At the time, such fans were considered a necessary item for officials and court ladies of the Imperial Court, and gradually came to be used by monks and samurai as well. After becoming more refined over time, the fans spread to China and Europe.

Different types of folding fans came to exist for varying uses, such as dancer's fans, Noh theater fans, tea ceremony fans, Shinto priest's fans, and wedding fans. By the Edo period (16th century), folding fans were one of Kyoto's major industries.

Kyosendo was established in 1823 under its former name, Shinami Kyosendo, and became very popular amongst the people in the capital. Ever since then, Kyosendo's fans have been used by dancers of many kinds of traditional performing arts, Shinto priests, government officials, bank representatives and people of many different companies.

The fans are decorated with beautiful printed art, and created by approximately 30 artisanal processes. They are highly praised as works of traditional handicraft, and very popular as a souvenir from Japan.

Please admire our beautiful Japanese fans. We are looking forward to your visit.