Type: War fan (Wooden ribs)
Length: Approx. 53 cm (fully open)
Mass: 90.8g
This striking Japanese tessen, or war fan, is a fine example of martial craftsmanship blending aesthetic refinement with functional purpose. Constructed with wooden ribs and lacquered paper panels, it features alternating fields of gold leaf and deep vermilion lacquer forming a bold sun motif—an unmistakable symbol of vitality and divine authority in Japanese iconography. The reverse presents a complementary inversion of this design, maintaining symmetry and elegance from either side. The lacquer retains its rich luster despite age, showing some areas of surface wear and minor creasing typical of period examples. The fan’s iron ribs have developed a deep patina from time and handling, their ends terminating cleanly into a lacquered wooden guard bearing subtle decorative cutouts. The original kumihimo has been replaced with a simple brown cord.
The gold and red coloration is strongly evocative of imperial themes, and the craftsmanship of the lacquer and metalwork suggests an artisan of considerable skill working in the mid- to late Edo period.
