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Korean Fans

  • Image of "Fan, From Naju, Jeollanam-do, Korea, Joseon dynasty, 19th-20th centuryFan, From Goseong, Gyeongsangnam-do, Korea, Joseon dynasty, 19th-20th centuryFan, From Gyeongju, Gyeongsangbuk-do, Korea, Joseon dynasty, 19th-20th century"

    Fan, From Naju, Jeollanam-do, Korea, Joseon dynasty, 19th-20th century
    Fan, From Goseong, Gyeongsangnam-do, Korea, Joseon dynasty, 19th-20th century
    Fan, From Gyeongju, Gyeongsangbuk-do, Korea, Joseon dynasty, 19th-20th century

    Asian Gallery (Toyokan) Room 10
    July 21, 2007 (Sat) - September 2, 2007 (Sun)

    Long ago when air conditioners did not exist, people used fans, both folding and round, to overcome the summer heat.

    Among historical materials of the Korean Peninsula, we can find handles of fans excavated from the Tahori Tomb No.1 (1st century, BC), and a drawing of a fan in a mural of the Anak Tomb No.3 (4th century).

    The oldest mentioned Korean fan in written materials is in an article in "Samguk Sagi (Chronicles of the Three Kingdoms)", which states that in 918 (late Silla dynasty period), a regional magnate congratulated the enthronement of the emperor with a peacock fan together with other gifts.

    During the Joseon Dynasty, men mainly used folding fans and women used round fans. The fans were given unique names according to their various shapes and patterns. This exhibit introduces fans collected from four regions of the southern Korean Peninsula, ranging from simple round fans to the colorful folding fans.

 Major works in this exhibition

* Works listed below are in the TNM Collection unless otherwise indicated.
Fan, From Naju, Jeollanam-do, Korea, Joseon dynasty, 19th - 20th century
Fan, From Gyeongju, Gyeongsangbuk-do, Korea, Joseon dynasty, 19th - 20th century
Folding Fan, Joseon dynasty, 19th - 20th century, Korea (Gift of the Ogura Foundation)
Exhibitions