The production of Kutami Uchiwa began in 1600. A traveling priest from Marugame City, a city famous for uchiwa, initiated people in Kutami City into the production method of uchiwa, in return for letting him stay a night at the city.
The uchiwa is coated with persimmon tannin, which makes its Japanese traditional paper (washi) strong and long-lasting, while also having an effect of insect proofing. Shibu Uchiwa can only be produced by Kutami, a word that means "people come," and thus, believed to lead people to have thriving businesses, which is why their uchiwa served as a lucky charm and often used as gifts.
Kurikawa Shoten is the only workshop that inherits the tradition of Kutami City, a city that was counted one of the three greatest production areas of uchiwa in Japan, other than Kyoto and Marugame City.
Thank you for making these kinds of products available to those of us overseas! The fan and hairbrush I ordered have been splendid—no defects at all—and I have been using them every day in my hair and skincare routines! The fan is much lighter and sturdier than I expected it to be and the brush is nice and heavy too. They certainly feel like quality items that were made to last. Overall I would say that I am more than satisfied with what I received!
C.L. from USA
Superhappy! It was superquick! And perfect secure package. I will order more when back from vacation!
J.T. from Sweden
I am very happy with the fan I ordered from your website. It arrived in perfect condition and we love the beautiful craftsmanship. We are also happy to have information about the shop that made the fan, so when we can return to Japan we'll take it with us and have it customized. It is very difficult to find such well made Japanese products outside of Japan and I will certainly be returning to your website to buy other quality products for my kitchen.
R.S. from USA
This is my second time to order the hand fan, this time I order as present to my friend.
M.T. from Canada
I am happy with all the products that I order, please continue to bring in traditional Japanese hand-made items to your website. I like to use Japanese Uchiwa because it is light weight and handy to create breeze immediately when I don't feel like using an electric fan. I brought Bussen, Nagadai and Sensen that I could put in different places in the house for summer. The workmanship of these Uchiwa is excellent, I just re-order some to give to my friend as present.
M.T. from Canada
I have been very satisfied with the products so far. In particular I have been using the iron teapot and frying pan the most! The frying pan was smaller than expected, but that is actually perfect for me as I currently live alone.
A.X. from USA
This item is usually shipped in 3 business days. We will inform you of the estimated shipping date if shipping is delayed due to a shortage.
An uchiwa that is an uchiwa cherished at Hosokawa family's tearoom, which is designed by Meiji era's brushmaker, teahouse, and uchiwa maker, with the intention to create an uchiwa that can be used to write books as well as in tea rooms.
Size: About 250x370x1mm
Weight: About 20g
Material: Bamboo, Japanese Paper, Persimmon Tannin
Price: 2,500 JPY
Kurikawa Shoten
Shibu Uchiwa Shomaru Popular
An uchiwa that revived an old uchiwa for children that was in production during the early Showa era. It is a modern uchiwa, simple and small in size, with a long handle.
Size: About 195x375x1mm
Weight: About 12g
Material: Bamboo, Japanese Paper, Persimmon Tannin
Price: 1,700 JPY
Kurikawa Shoten
Shibu Uchiwa Bussen
Although, as the name Bussen (Buddha fan) suggests, this type of uchiwa has been used to put out votive lights, it is currently popular among women, as its portable size allows users to store it in their bags.
Size: About 150x300x1mm
Weight: About 10g
Material: Bamboo, Japanese Paper, Persimmon Tannin
Price: 1,200 JPY
Kurikawa Shoten
Shibu Uchiwa Nagadai
Nagadai with a large area for creating wind is especially useful in cooking situations, such as cooling sushi rice or adjusting the heat and smoke of charcoal grills. Since it can create a large breeze even with small power, it is also recommended for cooling off in the summer.
*As it does not fit in the wrapping paper, the fan comes by itself.
Size: About 265x415x1mm
Weight: About 41g
Material: Bamboo, Japanese Paper, Persimmon Tannin
Price: 3,000 JPY
Kurikawa Shoten
Shibu Uchiwa Koban
The fan surface is long and neatly designed in a koban shape. Even though it is small, you can enjoy a cool and comfortable breeze.
Size: About 180x375x1mm
Weight: About 19g
Material: Bamboo, Japanese Paper, Persimmon Tannin
A new uchiwa, coated with bluish black ink on the face and finished with persimmon tannin, has been added. The stamp indicating the fourth generation is attached.
Size: About 250x370x1mm
Weight: About 20g
Material: Bamboo, Japanese Paper, Persimmon Tannin, Seiboku (Bluish Black Ink)
Price: 3,500 JPY
Kurikawa Shoten
Kuro Uchiwa Shomaru
A new uchiwa, coated with bluish black ink on the face and finished with persimmon tannin, has been added. The stamp indicating the fourth generation is attached.
Size: About 195x375x1mm
Weight: About 12g
Material: Bamboo, Japanese Paper, Persimmon Tannin, Seiboku (Bluish Black Ink)
Price: 2,500 JPY
Kurikawa Shoten
Founded in 1889, Kurikawa Shoten is the only manufacturer making and inheriting the tradition of Kutami Uchiwa, which has a history of 400 years in Kutami, Kumamoto Prefecture.
