Description
War fans varied in size, materials, shape and use. One of the most significant uses was as a signalling device. Signalling fans came in two varieties:
- a real fan that has wood or metal ribs with lacquered paper attached to the ribs and a metal outer cover
- a solid open fan made from metal and/or wood, very similar to the gunbai used today by sumo referees.
The commander would raise or lower his fan and point in different ways to issue commands to the soldiers, which would then be passed on by other forms of visible and audible signalling.
War fans could also be used as weapons, The art of fighting with war fans is tessenjutsu.
Read more about this topic: Japanese War Fan
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