History of uchiwa fans
The origin of uchiwa fans dates back to the Kofun period (300-592) when a large fan-shaped object called Sashiba was introduced in Japan from China. Sashiba was made of feathers, furs, and leaves. Uchiwa fans in the old days were used as a tool for blocking sunlight, waving insects away, hiding the faces of high-ranking people. After uchiwa fans made of bamboo and washi paper became popular, they were able to create a strong airflow and people started using them as a fan in the Edo period (1603-1868). Uchiwa fans with Ukiyo-e portraying beautiful women called Bijin-ga printed on them also became popular for adding a touch of entertainment. Bijin-ga was very popular at that time.