When we think of samurai warriors, swords are often the first image that comes to mind. But among their many tools, there’s one item that’s often overlooked — the war fan. Known as tessen in Japanese, these seemingly delicate items were far more than accessories. For the samurai, fans could be tools of leadership, symbols of status, and even weapons of war.
In the noisy chaos of a battlefield, shouting commands wasn't always effective. That’s where the war fan came in. Officers used large, often rigid fans to signal troops — raising one could mean "advance," while closing it might signal retreat. These fans were easy to spot and didn’t require spoken words, which made them especially useful during the confusion of battle.
The most iconic among them, the gunbai (or command fan), was carried by high-ranking commanders. These fans were often made of solid wood or metal, decorated with clan symbols or personal crests, and designed to be both durable and visible. Unlike regular folding fans, the gunbai didn’t fold. It was used not only for directing troops but also to shield the user from the sun — and, occasionally, from arrows.
Folding fans (tessen) served a very different purpose. At first glance, they looked just like ordinary fans used to stay cool. But inside the folds, hidden iron ribs turned them into discreet weapons. In times of peace — especially during court meetings or negotiations where swords were forbidden — the tessen became a silent equalizer. A samurai could walk into a room unarmed, yet still be protected.
There are historical accounts of samurai using tessen to block sword attacks or even strike down enemies. Though lighter than a blade, a well-aimed fan could stun or injure, especially when used with the precision of a trained warrior.
Fans weren't only used for battle or self-defense. They also carried social and symbolic meaning. The style of fan a samurai carried could reflect his status, clan, or personal taste. Decorative fans were sometimes given as gifts during diplomatic missions or courtship, and they were even part of formal dress in the shogunate's political system.
Some martial arts schools went so far as to include tessenjutsu — the art of fan fighting — in their curriculum. Techniques involved strikes, parries, and disarms using the folded fan, treating it as an extension of the body, much like a small baton.
What makes the samurai war fan so fascinating is the way it blends form and function. At a glance, it might seem like an object of beauty, but beneath its surface was often hidden power. In an era where every gesture mattered, and appearances were tightly linked to social order, the war fan was a perfect tool — graceful, symbolic, and dangerous when needed.
Even today, collectors and martial artists look to the tessen and gunbai as unique artifacts of Japanese history. They remind us that the samurai’s strength wasn’t just in the sword, but also in strategy, discipline, and subtlety.
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