CHIBA

Uchiwa no Ota-ya

Where Traditional Japanese Fan-Making Lives On Through Four Generations

Experience the artistry of Boshu Uchiwa, one of Japan's three great fan-making traditions, at a family-run workshop in Chiba Prefecture.

Culture & Arts Experience & Activities

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Discover a living piece of Japanese craftsmanship in the coastal region of Minamiboso, where traditional bamboo fans are still made entirely by hand using methods passed down through generations.

Nestled in Minamiboso City, Chiba Prefecture, Uchiwa no Ota-ya stands as one of the last bastions of Boshu Uchiwa, a traditional fan-making craft officially designated by Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. At the helm is Mitsue Ota, a fourth-generation artisan who in 2008 became the first officially recognized traditional craftsman of Boshu Uchiwa, a testament to her dedication to this centuries-old art form.

Boshu Uchiwa is one of Japan's three major uchiwa styles, alongside Kyo-Uchiwa and Marugame-Uchiwa. The craft's roots in the Boso Peninsula trace back to the Meiji period around 1857, when the region's abundant medake bamboo made it ideal for fan production. Following the devastating Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923, many Tokyo wholesalers relocated to this coastal area, transforming uchiwa-making into a thriving cottage industry. At its peak in the 1920s-30s, nearly 1,000 artisans produced 7-8 million fans annually, with fishermen's wives crafting fans at home while their husbands were at sea.

Today, with modern cooling technology having replaced the practical use of fans, only five makers continue the tradition, producing around 30,000 fans annually, of which Ms. Mitsue Ota crafts approximately 12,000. Yet Mitsue Ota keeps the craft alive, handcrafting each fan from locally sourced bamboo and combining traditional techniques with contemporary sensibilities. Her workshop creates both classic designs and innovative fabric fans made from yukata and chirimen textiles, as well as custom commissions for prestigious clients like high-end Ginza-based establishments.

Visitors to Uchiwa no Ota-ya witness firsthand the meticulous process that transforms simple bamboo and paper into elegant works of functional art. Ota's commitment extends beyond creation: she actively trains successors, ensuring this precious regional heritage endures for future generations. In a world of mass production, her workshop offers a rare glimpse into the patience, skill, and soul that define Japanese traditional craftsmanship.

Address

1193 Tadara, Tomiura-machi, Minamiboso City, Chiba, Japan

Contact

info@ota-ya.net (Japanese & English)

Business hours

9:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m.

Holiday

Closed on weekends and public holidays

WEB site

https://ota-ya.net/

Digital Map