Sensu and Tessen: the Fan

of War
By. Connor Hamby
Origins of the Fan
Folding fans were invented in the 6th century

600 BC – 501 BC (ancient)

Made in Japan

Earliest version was the Hinoki fan

Who owned these?
Luxury item

Owned by Samurai, aristocrats, and wealthy merchants

Only 3 above could afford them

A Symbol of status.
Outside of combat
Used for Court etiquette

Samurai of high rank brought to gatherings

Used to combat mild heat inconveniences

Used for traditional dances

Unique Qualities and design
Considered fashion accessory

Decorated with poems, paintings, and religious writing

Painted with gold of silver foil at times

People actually used Folding Fans as Weapons?!
Women used to hide impolite emotions

Men either carried or had in a shash

Rarely out of reach of samurai

Variation of Sensu is the Tessen

Tessenjutsu fighting style

Generals used to give signals or orders to troops

Tessen
Literally means “Iron fan”

Used in Tessenjutsu

Used for defense when disarmed from other weapons

Tessenjutsu is more for restraining opponents for self defense rather than causing
injury or death

Numerous people won duels of people with Tessen against swords, numerous
recorded deaths from Tessens
Notable people who used them
Tokugawa Ieyasu- first shogun of Tokugawa Shogunate, used to startle his
enemies.

Ganryu- famous swordsman defeated several heavily armed opponents with

tessen
Major battles used in
Sword was deflected by Tessen in fourth battle of Kawanakajima

Araki Murashige used to save his life when attempt of assassination

Used to defeat the Great Warrior Monk Saito Musashibo

Without the tessen Araki would have died, and the great monk might not have
been defeated
Evolution
Any weapon that originated as a hidden weapon.

Quarter staffs

Dansen uchiwa

Gunbai- variation used by sumo referees

Some modern Sensu have blades.