The development of Marugame Uchiwa reflects the combination of several fan-making traditions.

One of the earliest is the shibu-uchiwa, a persimmon-tannin-coated fan traditionally said to have been developed around 1633 as a souvenir for pilgrims visiting Konpira. These fans were characterized by a vermilion surface bearing a circular “gold” emblem and were made with a round handle formed from thicker bamboo.

In the latter half of the eighteenth century, the Marugame domain encouraged fan making as supplementary work for its retainers. Round-handled fans made from thinner bamboo were also produced during this period, helping establish fan making as an important local industry.

During the Meiji period, flat-handled fans influenced by techniques associated with Nara Uchiwa began to be produced in the Shioya area. The combination of these different traditions eventually created the diverse forms now associated with Marugame Uchiwa.

From the late nineteenth century onward, shared workshops and organized businesses helped modernize the local industry. During the Taisho period, tools such as bamboo-cutting and hole-making machines improved production efficiency. In the early Showa period, advances in printing also encouraged the production of fans carrying company names and advertisements.

Production declined during World War II but expanded again after the war, reaching its peak around the 1950s and 1960s. Demand for fans as everyday cooling tools later decreased as electric fans and air conditioning became widespread.

On May 14, 1997, Marugame Uchiwa were designated as a Traditional Craft by the Japanese government. Today, craftspeople continue to preserve traditional bamboo fan-making techniques while also creating new forms and designs suited to contemporary lifestyles.

1. 1. Preparing the Bamboo
   Bamboo is cut to a length suitable for the size of the fan to be made. The nodes are trimmed and the surface is prepared, creating the basic section that will form the handle and the upper portion that will later be split into the fan ribs.
   
   Each piece of bamboo is carefully examined for its thickness, curvature, and the position of its nodes before being shaped.
2. 2. Splitting
   Fine cuts are made in the upper section of the bamboo to create numerous narrow ribs known as ho.
   
   The bamboo is carefully split along its natural fibers so that the ribs are as even in thickness as possible. Uniform ribs make it easier to spread the frame into a balanced fan shape in later stages.
3. 3. Separating the Ribs
   The finely cut bamboo is gently twisted from side to side so that the ribs separate naturally along the grain as far as the node.
   
   Too much force can break the ribs or make them uneven, so the artisan carefully works with the natural properties of the bamboo while separating each rib.
4. 4. Making the Hole
   A hole is made near the boundary between the handle and the ribs so that a bamboo crosspiece known as the kama can be inserted.
   
   The kama supports the ribs as they spread to either side and helps form the shoulders of the fan. Because the position of the hole affects the overall shape, it must be made accurately.
5. 5. Shaping the Kama
   The kama is shaved and adjusted to the appropriate length and thickness.
   
   This crosspiece plays an important role in determining the width, shoulders, and overall balance of the fan. The artisan makes use of the bamboo’s natural flexibility while shaping it so that the ribs can spread evenly.
6. 6. Weaving
   The kama is inserted through the hole, and a thread is tied to one end. The finely split ribs are then woven together one by one.
   
   As the thread is passed around the ribs, they are gradually spread into a fan shape. The tension of the thread and the spacing between the ribs are carefully adjusted to create a smooth and balanced curve.
7. 7. Shaping the Frame
   After the ribs have been woven, the frame is adjusted so that the left and right sides are symmetrical.
   
   The position of the kama, the spread of the ribs, and the curve created by the thread are carefully checked to produce a well-balanced fan frame.
8. 8. Applying the Paper
   Paper, traditionally including washi, is pasted onto both sides of the completed bamboo frame.
   
   Adhesive is carefully applied so that the paper bonds securely to each rib without wrinkles or sagging. The facing paper may be plain or printed with illustrations, patterns, lettering, or other designs.
9. 9. Trimming the Shape
   A specially shaped cutting tool known as a tataki-gama is placed over the paper-covered fan and struck with a wooden mallet to remove excess paper and bamboo.
   
   The outline is trimmed according to the intended design, such as a round or oval shape, creating a clean and even silhouette.
10. 10. Edging and Finishing
    A narrow strip of paper called heri-gami is applied around the outer edge of the fan to protect the paper and neatly finish its outline.
    
    Small pieces of paper known as mimi are also attached to the ends of the kama. The entire fan is then inspected and adjusted as necessary before the Marugame Uchiwa is complete.