Taniguchi Shoudo (Minami Ward, Kyoto City), a Japanese paper goods manufacturer established in 1925, has announced the Kokon series — short-panel folding fans (tanchi sensu) made from Mino washi, one of Japan's three great traditional papers. The fans feature silk printing that catches and reflects light, combining artisanal craftsmanship with a refined contemporary aesthetic.
Why the Traditional Folding Fan Is Seeing a Global Revival
Ahead of a summer forecast to bring record heat, the folding fan (sensu) is attracting renewed attention beyond its practical function. At international fashion events, celebrities and editors have been spotted fanning themselves with sensu in an unhurried, deliberate manner — a look that has resonated with style-conscious audiences worldwide.
Several factors appear to be driving this renewed interest:
A "functional accessory" rediscovered: The sensu offers a way to stay cool without disrupting a formal outfit, and its decorative quality is being recognized as a smart complement to elegant looks.
A genderless fashion item: With its versatility and understated sophistication, the folding fan has found appeal across a broad range of styles, regardless of gender.
A symbol of Japanese aesthetic sensibility: Traditional Japanese patterns worn as accessories have come to represent a kind of "intellectual beauty" recognized globally — making the sensu a culturally resonant fashion statement.
The Kokon Series: Nature Rendered in Washi and Light
The Kokon series draws from Japan's classical literary tradition, translating seasonal scenes — cherry blossoms, shimmering water, flowing streams, and early spring ice — into fan designs that feel both timeless and contemporary.
The "short-panel" (tanchi) construction keeps the washi fan surface compact while allowing for a generous arrangement of finely shaved bamboo ribs. The interplay between the orderly lines of exposed bamboo and the softness of the washi creates an impression of understated luxury. Silk printing applied to the Mino washi catches light beautifully, shifting the design's appearance with each movement of the fan — much like a watermark seen through changing light.
Four Designs in the Lineup
AW370 Koborezakura (Scattered Cherry Blossoms)
Cherry blossoms in full bloom, spilling forth in spring light. Petals appear to drift and scatter with the light, evoking the fleeting beauty of the season.
AW371 Utakata (Ephemeral Bubbles)
Shimmering bubbles draped in light. The pattern shifts with the viewing angle, adding quiet, ever-changing color to the fan's surface.
AW372 Seiryu (Clear Stream)
A continuously flowing, crystal-clear stream. White ripples form a cool, tranquil scene that conveys a quiet, refreshing mood.
AW373 Usurahi (Thin Ice at Water's Edge)
The thin ice (usurahi) that forms at the water's edge at the close of winter — delicate and fleeting, dissolving in the warmth of the spring sun.
Product Details
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Product name | Mino Washi Short-Panel Folding Fan "Kokon" |
| Specifications | 7-sun, 40 ribs (short-panel style) |
| Price | ¥3,500 (excl. tax / suggested retail) |
| Materials | Mino washi, bamboo (glossy parent ribs), pouch (polyester), metal pivot (iron) |
| Colors | 4 (Koborezakura, Utakata, Seiryu, Usurahi) |
| Dimensions | Fan: approx. 21 cm long; fabric pouch: 22 × 4 cm |
| Weight | 61 g |
| Packaging | Adhesive box |
