Folding Fan Day (Sensu no Hi)

What Is Folding Fan Day?

Every year on May 1st, Japan observes "Sensu no Hi" (Folding Fan Day), established in 1990 by the Kyoto Folding Fan and Round Fan Cooperative to promote the appeal of sensu, the traditional Japanese folding fan. The date comes from Japanese wordplay: "5" (ko) and "1" (i) can be read together as "koi," meaning "love." This is tied to "The Tale of Genji", which depicts lovers exchanging fans with each other. The date is also linked to the Heian-period court ceremony called "Kyūsen no Gi," held on the first day of the fourth lunar month, in which the emperor bestowed summer fans in preparation for the hot season.

The Background and Purpose of Folding Fan Day

The sensu is a craft that symbolizes traditional Japanese culture, used not only as a practical cooling tool but also in dance, tea ceremony, festivals, and many other settings. Folding Fan Day was created to help people rediscover the cultural value of the sensu and to spread the culture of giving fans to loved ones as a way of expressing one's feelings. The cooperative also holds a folding fan fair around this time, calling the day "Love Day, Folding Fan and Round Fan Day."

• Established by: The Kyoto Folding Fan and Round Fan Cooperative (in 1990)
• Origin of the date: "5-1" read as "koi" (love), tied to the fan exchanges in "The Tale of Genji" and the court's fan-bestowing ceremony
• Purpose: To spread fan culture and the custom of giving fans as gifts

The History and Culture of the Sensu

The folding fan is believed to have originated in Japan and was already in use among the nobility during the Heian period (794–1185). It later spread to China and elsewhere, and came to be enjoyed around the world.

• Believed to Be a Japanese Invention: The folding fan is thought to have originated from the "hi-ogi," a fan made by binding together thin wooden slats (mokkan).
• An Essential Item for Heian Nobility: Fans were also used as tools to indicate social status and proper etiquette.
• Essential to Dance and Performing Arts: The sensu plays an important role in Japanese classical dance, Noh theater, Kyogen comedy, and tea ceremony.
• The Word "Ōgi": In the past, folding fans were usually called "ōgi," a word thought to come from "afugi," an old form of the verb "aogu" (to fan).

Fun Facts About the Sensu

• A Symbol of Growing Prosperity: Because a folding fan spreads outward as it opens, it is considered a lucky symbol of growth and prosperity.
• A Variety of Materials: Bamboo, washi (Japanese paper), and silk are all used depending on the fan's purpose.
• The Kanji for "Fan": The character 扇 combines "door" (戸) and "feathers" (羽), said to depict a door moving like wings to stir up a breeze.
• Dance Fans vs. Everyday Fans: Dance fans (maiōgi) are often larger and more ornate so they stand out on stage, while everyday fans are mostly light and easy to carry.

Ideas for Folding Fan Day

• Carry your favorite sensu with you: Enjoy the breeze of early summer while feeling the change of seasons.
• Visit a traditional craft shop: Watch artisans at work up close and choose a fan that speaks to you.
• Learn about the history of the sensu: Museums and specialty shops in Kyoto and elsewhere offer a deep dive into fan culture.
• Give a sensu to someone special: In keeping with "Love Day," make it a gift that carries your thanks or feelings.
• Experience a dance fan or tea ceremony fan: Discover the depth of fans used in the worlds of performing arts and tea ceremony.

May 1st: A Day to Feel Japanese Beauty and Coolness

Folding Fan Day is a wonderful opportunity to connect with the aesthetics and craftsmanship Japan has cultivated for centuries. Far more than just a tool for keeping cool, the sensu is a uniquely Japanese craft that condenses culture, art, and etiquette into a single object.

On May 1st, pick up a sensu and enjoy the gentle breeze along with the depth of Japanese culture. You'll find a quiet beauty spreading through your everyday life.