Keep it long, treasure it long.

A fan that allows you to enjoy beautiful gradations.

On a summer day when the blazing sun makes you hesitate to step outside, you can see more and more people in the city holding handheld fans. However, when you encounter someone gently cooling themselves with a folding fan or uchiwa (a flat fan), it evokes a unique charm of a Japanese summer that captivates the heart.

As the summer heat intensifies year by year, the practicality of folding fans is being reevaluated as a measure against heatstroke outdoors. Unlike handheld fans, which require power and charging, the convenience of being able to discreetly carry a folding fan in your bag and easily pull it out when needed is truly appealing. With the growing awareness of sustainable consumption, the fact that it can be used repeatedly for a long time without electricity is also a reason why it is favored.

Giemon has created a folding fan using Kurume Kasuri fabric for the fan surface. The handle features a beautiful luster and a smooth texture, made from hardwood. It comes with a dedicated pouch made from the same fabric, allowing for beautiful storage and making it easy to carry. This kasuri fan, which embodies the beauty of Japan, is sure to be a delightful gift for yourself, for Mother's Day or Father's Day, or as a present for someone from overseas.

Experience the Charm of Kurume Kasuri

Many people associate Kurume Kasuri with the fabric used for mompe (traditional Japanese work pants). It is one of Japan's traditional crafts, made from 100% cotton in the Chikugo region of southern Fukuoka Prefecture. The flourishing of kasuri weaving in this area is thanks to the blessings of the Chikugo River, the longest river in Kyushu, which flows through the region. The rich soil and clean water were very suitable for the production of kasuri. By dyeing the threads before weaving, subtle shifts are created, resulting in a fabric with a unique expression that has gained popularity.

Furthermore, Kurume Kasuri is not printed on woven fabric; instead, the threads are dyed first to create the weaving pattern. The fabric, tightly woven with both warp and weft threads, is very durable. In the past, once it served its purpose as kimono fabric, it was often mended and repurposed as bedding, showing how it has been cherished for a long time. Its most notable feature is its softness. After weaving, the fabric is boiled to remove the starch, resulting in a fluffy and soft texture from the very beginning, which only improves with use. This is the essence of Kurume Kasuri. It is a product that you want to pass down from parent to child, and from that child to the next, feeling its deepening charm over time.

Connecting Traditional Crafts to the Next Generation

Giemon is the in-house brand of Okamoto Shoten, a wholesaler of Kurume Kasuri established in 1971. Founded by the first generation, Taisuke Noguchi, Okamoto Shoten has continuously asked, "How can we match kasuri with contemporary fashion?" as the world shifted from traditional Japanese clothing to Western styles, connecting weavers (hataya) of Kurume Kasuri with consumers. Since 1978, in an effort to further expand the possibilities of Kurume Kasuri, which boasts a history of over 200 years, they have launched their own brand and are engaged in planning, manufacturing, and selling original products that blend seamlessly into modern life.

The Kurume Kasuri folding fan is a product that grows dearer with everyday use on hot days. It can be enjoyed by people of all ages, making it a wonderful gift for those who appreciate natural materials and crafts, as well as for those with a preference for a natural lifestyle. It is also likely to be well-received as a souvenir that conveys the essence of Japan to overseas visitors.