Type: Tessen (Iron War Fan)
Length: Approx. 58 cm (fully open)
Mass: 613.5g
This well-crafted Japanese tessen displays a powerful combination of martial austerity and symbolic richness. The fan is imposing in size, nearly 60cm when opened, and extremely heavy, over 600g, more than three times heavier than typical examples. The fan’s surface is lacquered in deep black, centered by a bold red sun motif, an emblem of vitality, divinity, and the warrior spirit. Faintly visible beneath the lacquer are gilt-painted depictions of a dragon and tiger, traditional symbols representing the dual forces of heaven and earth, or yin and yang. The dragon, rendered in delicate linework, coils dynamically across one half of the fan, while the tiger crouches in the opposite field, both partially softened by age but still discernible in the right lighting. The paper surface shows some minor rubbing and crease wear consistent with age, while the underlying iron ribs remain solid and structurally intact, exhibiting a steady dark patina throughout. The tessen is completed with a vivid red silk kumihimo cord, in good condition, providing a striking contrast to the blackened metal.
This example is unsigned, consistent with functional tessen made during the Edo period for samurai and high-ranking retainers. These fans were not mere accessories but practical defensive and signaling tools, permitted in formal spaces where blades were restricted. The combination of the red sun and the dragon-tiger pair suggests a piece made with auspicious intent—perhaps a gift item or ceremonial implement emphasizing strength, courage, and divine favor.
This fan is an absolutely striking piece, with the black and red lacquer remaining eye wateringly vivid despite its age.
