Bringing the Feel of Edo to the Twenty-First Century

Ibasen got its start in 1590 as a washi-paper and bamboo business in Nihonbashi, the heart of Edo (today's Tokyo). It began turning these materials into illustrated folding fans and round uchiwa fans, and then parlayed its printing knowhow into a thriving business publishing woodblock prints by famed artists such as Toyokuni I, Kuniyoshi, and Hiroshige.

Edo uchiwa fans are made by splitting a single stalk of bamboo into many spokes; Edo sensu (folding fans) are known for their thick, imposing ribs at top and bottom. Both are still handcrafted by artisans today. Ibasen retains its traditional designs, as well as pursuing new collaborations with Japanese creators and international designers.

Uchiwa (round fans) with illustrations became popular in the Edo period. These reproductions are available at Ibasen (¥5,500).