Dear Customers & Freinds;

Hello from Japan! This is Antique Ichiroya News Letter.No.95th.
We still are in the middle of Tsuyu,rainy season,but it is already extremely hot,humid,more than you can imagine,so when I go outside,we have to carry umbrella not to get direct sun,apply layers of UV protecter on the skin, also carry Sensu,folding fan.When I have to drive for hours,I cover my face with scarf showing only eye,put a pair of long gloves which can cover to my almost shoulders.That is how I stay not to get darker skin in summer,and to feel cool,we have many interesting ways here in Japan.
Today, I would like to talk about how we live comfortably in summer and related subjects.

Old days,there were not any AC,so to feel cool,they used Uchiwa,rounded fan and Sensu,folding fan.Uchiwa is originally came from China and in Edo era,they are used as part of people's life.Children carry them cashing bugs,or fireflies,women carry them as part of fashion,stores woodblock printed names as advertisement on them.
How about Sensu? What are the differences between Uchiwa and Sensu? Both are used to fan ourselves,but Uchiwa can be folded and sensu can and sensu is probably more artistic and ornated.

Sensu are made of usually bamboos,but high-end sensu can be ivory,sandalwood to have wonderful smell when they are opened.Just like western culture,sensu was a part of fashion,communication,ritual from old days.
Of coures,main purpose of sensu is to feel cool,but actually,there are so many unqiue purposes why people use sensu and here are examples.

-Rakugo, traditional comic storytelling holds in the hands pretending like they are pieces of chopsticks,sword and telescope during storytelling.
-The principal mourner at funeral places folded sensu in front of her/him to have a kekkai,barrier which are special zones in buddhism.
-Bride puts sensu inside of kimono,but before 1,900s,it was short sword which means that she will kill herself if somebody try to rape her.
-Target of arrow.
-Tool for dancing
-To hide teeth when people laugh
-A part of accessory for Tosenkyo Game(sensu is thrown away to the target)
-Home Decor
-Weapon during war era used like an iron rod called Tessen,sensu made of iron,also as confidential letter since they are made of papers.
-Accessory for the head of the cheering group

Actually,there are more purposes and I realize that sensu is essential to Japanese life.

Here is some examples of traditional ornated sensu.

http://www.sensu-uchiwa.or.jp/sen/kindsensu.html

I really feel great when I fan myself with sanse made of sandlewood because of fantastic fragrance.What a nice way to feel cool!!!
Kyoto is famous for beautiful sensu and uchiwa,so if you come to Japan,it might be a good idea to get them!

Monday(no new arrival will be listed tomorrow),we will list beautiful antique vase,and handsome pair of court fan (hiogi)
sensu,etc. and beautiful kimonos,so please browse our both sites!

Thank you for taking your valuable time to read my 95th newsletters and we will get back to you soon!

Have a wonderful day!

Hisami Sato

Japanese antique Ichiroya
http://www.antiqueichiroya.com
e-mail: info@ichiroya.com
address: Asia-shoji Bldg.301
Wakamatsu cho
Tondabayashi city
Osaka 584-0025 JAPAN
TEL&FAX ****( international number ) - 81-721-23-544