Korean Fans

Before the advent of air conditioning, fans were often used not only in Japan but also on the Korean peninsula as well. During the Joseon dynasty, men used folding fans and women mainly used round fans. A special government office was in charge of making fans for the royal houses, from which some were exported to both China and Japan.

This exhibit introduces traditional fans collected from 4 areas of the southern part of the Korean peninsula. Each having various shapes and patterns; from one that resembles banana leaves, one that depicts yin-yang, one that has bent tips, another resembles paulownia leaves, one has delicate ribs resembling a bird's tail and others.

While Japanese fans often project a cool feeling by their appearance alone, the Korean fans may evoke different feelings.