Description
This item is a Tessen (鉄扇, iron fan). It is a fan with iron bones, or a folded fan made of iron, and was a fan that doubled as a self-defense weapon for Samurai families in the early modern period. Iron fans were carried in places where swords could not be used. For example, when Samurai went to his boss’s house, he could not bring his sword. Furthermore, it is said that even when Samurai were invited to their superior’s home, they did not know when they would be attacked, so some of them carried iron fans in case of an emergency.
However, iron itself was expensive at that time, and only the middle to upper-class Samurai could own iron fans. Iron fans in the early days of Samurai society were made entirely of iron without an inner fan part. Afterward, since the peaceful era continued, it is thought that iron fans began to have a fashionable feel and began to have internal parts like ordinary folding fans.
About the design, the figure of a dragon is engraved on the bones of this iron fan. Initially, the dragon was an imaginary creature found in ancient foreign traditions or myths. Furthermore, it is regarded as a symbolic beast of auspicious signs. Its body is likened to nine animals: antlers are deer, the head is a camel, eyes are demons, the neck is a snake, the belly is Mizuchi (蛟, a mythical animal in Japan that looks like a snake and has a horn and four legs), scales are fish, claws are falcons, palms are tigers and ears are cows. The dragon was thought to reign at the top of all animals because of its odd appearance.
The inside of the fan, which is made of paper, has the moon or sun depicted in vermilion paint. The background is painted gold and silver; the impression changes depending on the color. Among the celestial bodies, the sun and moon are particularly closely connected to people’s lives and are said to have been deified and favored by many military commanders who wished them protection on the battlefields.
*As this item is an antique, please check each photo and ensure its condition. This fan has been partially repaired, and there are signs of repair. Please feel free to contact us if you would like to know more details about the damaged area.
【About us】
Ninja Weapon Museum is located in Kanazawa, Japan, exhibiting antique artifacts related to the history of Ninja and Samurai.
【Payment method】
We accept payment through Stripe (Credit card), Apple Pay, or ChromePay, all of which are secure payment methods. If you prefer other payment methods, please contact us. You may either pay in JPY, USD. The price is set in Japanese Yen. Prices in other currencies are automatically calculated based on the latest exchange rate.
【Shipping duration】
We normally ship via EMS (Express Mail Service) provided by Japan Post. It usually takes at least 5-14 days to deliver the package after you place an order. We offer Free International Shipping as long as we can ship your order by EMS. If you prefer other shipping carriers, please contact us.
We will inform you of the order’s tracking number via email. Please make sure you fill out your valid email address correctly.
*Please keep in mind that due to the spread of COVID-19, there might be possible delays in delivery. If you like to make sure if EMS shipping is available to your country, please contact us.
【How to make sure the condition】
Please keep in mind that what you are going to purchase is an antique item. We uploaded high resolution photos for you to check its condition thoroughly. If you like to see more photos with different angles, please feel free to contact us. We will be happy to send them to you so that you can make informed decision.
It is essential for us to know that you are happy with your choice of antique item and we are prepared to use the best of our ability to serve you.
【How To Contact Us】
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