Updated at 2022-03-23
Compared to the non-foldable uchiwas, ogis are easier to carry around. Folding fans originated from the wooden cypress fans used in the imperial court during the Heian period. Slender wooden veneer was fixed with silk threads and metal buckles and decorated with calligraphy or patterns. Fan materials popular among the upper class at the time were washi and silk. In the early days, ogis were used in ceremonies. After becoming popular among the common folk, they were incorporated into tea ceremonies and used as props in performances. In Japan, fans have many auspicious implications. For example, "opening" a fan is a symbol of prosperity. The number of parts in the frame can also indicate good fortune.
Alliance Date: August 9, 2016
Language: Japanese
Area: 5,156.48 square kilometers
Population: Approx. 6,280,000 people
Main Industries/Features: Agriculture, fisheries, commerce, and industry