other22. Jul 2026

Marugame Uchiwa

Marugame uchiwa (丸亀うちわ) are traditional round fans produced in Marugame City, Kagawa Prefecture, with origins traceable to 1633. Marugame uchiwa is designated as a traditional craft by the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry.

History

The production of Marugame uchiwa is recorded as having begun in 1633 (Kan'ei 10), when Yugei, the head priest of Konkoin — the betto of Konpira Daigongen — devised the fan. The earliest examples were made from Madake bamboo with a round male-bamboo handle (otodake marugara) and coated with persimmon tannin, bearing the character '金' (kin) as a printed mark.

During the Tenmei era (1781–1788), the ruling Kyogoku Marugame Domain actively encouraged fan production as a side occupation for domain samurai. In this same period, the predominant handle style shifted from the round male-bamboo (otodake marugara) to the round female-bamboo (medake marugara) form. As pilgrims traveling to Kotohira-gu arrived at Marugame port in the early 19th century, Marugame fans spread throughout Japan as widely purchased souvenirs. Around the Ansei era (approximately 1860), annual production reached approximately 800,000 fans.

In the Meiji era, the flat male-bamboo handle (otodake hiragara) style entered production. Advances in woodblock printing technology enabled multicolor printing, making mass production of uchiwa-e (fan paintings) possible. Around the middle of the Meiji era, the Marugame Uchiwa Association (Marugame Uchiwa Kumiai) was established to organize the trade. Following the Meiji era, production became divided by labor and transitioned to factory-based manufacturing. By the late Taisho era, annual production of fan ribs (bone) reached approximately 60 million, and approximately 2,000 people were engaged in the craft.

Techniques & Production Process

The original Marugame uchiwa was constructed from Madake bamboo, formed with a round male-bamboo handle and coated with persimmon tannin. During the Tenmei era, the round female-bamboo handle style became the dominant production form, before the flat male-bamboo handle (otodake hiragara) style emerged in the Meiji era. Today, the term "Marugame uchiwa" generally refers to this flat male-bamboo handle style. Advances in woodblock printing technology facilitated the multicolor printing of fan surfaces, enabling large-scale output. After the Meiji era, production was reorganized through a division of labor, with factory production replacing earlier craft workshop arrangements.

How to Identify Marugame Uchiwa

Historically, Marugame uchiwa were identifiable by the printed character '金' (kin) on a persimmon-tannin-coated fan surface, together with a round bamboo handle. Contemporary Marugame uchiwa are generally characterized by the flat male-bamboo handle (otodake hiragara) construction, which distinguishes them from the earlier round-handled styles. The use of Madake bamboo for the rib structure is a defining material feature of the craft's traditional production.

The Craft Today

Marugame uchiwa currently accounts for approximately 90% of national uchiwa production volume in Japan, establishing Marugame City, Kagawa Prefecture, as the dominant center of round fan manufacture in the country. The craft holds designation as a traditional craft by the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry. Marugame uchiwa can be viewed and purchased at Aoyama Square, a dedicated traditional crafts retail venue operated by the General Foundation for the Promotion of Traditional Craft Industries (一般財団法人伝統的工芸品産業振興協会), located at 8-1-22 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo. Among related fan traditions in Japan, Boshu Uchiwa: Round Fans from Chiba and Kyo Uchiwa: Round Fans from Kyoto represent the other principal regional schools of round fan production. For folding fans, distinct traditions exist in the form of Kyo Sensu: Folding Fans from Kyoto and Edo Sensu: Traditional Folding Fans from Tokyo. Marugame uchiwa is also featured within the broader context of Japanese Traditional Crafts (Other): The Complete Guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

When did Marugame uchiwa production begin?

Marugame uchiwa production is recorded as having originated in 1633 (Kan'ei 10), when Yugei, the head priest of Konkoin, devised the fan in Marugame.

What materials are used to make Marugame uchiwa?

The original Marugame uchiwa was made from Madake bamboo with a round male-bamboo handle (otodake marugara), coated with persimmon tannin. The contemporary standard form uses a flat male-bamboo handle (otodake hiragara).

What share of Japan's uchiwa production comes from Marugame?

Marugame uchiwa currently accounts for approximately 90% of the national uchiwa production volume in Japan.

Is Marugame uchiwa an officially designated traditional craft?

Yes. Marugame uchiwa is designated as a traditional craft by the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry.

How did Marugame uchiwa become widely known across Japan?

As pilgrims traveling to Kotohira-gu arrived at Marugame port in the early 19th century, Marugame fans spread throughout Japan as souvenirs. By approximately the Ansei era (around 1860), annual production had reached approximately 800,000 fans.