Based in Koshigaya city, Saitama Prefecture, Kohei Fujita worked as an apprentice under Kato Terukuni who had been crafting Edo-style Miyako Uchiwa Chidori fans for over 60 years.
Now, Kohei is the last remaining creator of these fans with over 400 years of history.
The charm of the Chidori Uchiwa is its bird-shaped wooden handle, its rounded, gentle form, and the intricate silhouette created by the 100 extremely thin bamboo ribs.
Kohei Fujita
Edo-style Miyako Uchiwa Chidori Fans
Works
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Miyako Uchiwa Chidori Edo-style Fans
Beautilful traditional Japanese fans with a bird-shaped wooden handle
Kohei Fujita
Biography
Born in Koshigaya City, Saitama Prefecture in 1991.
After working for a major construction consulting firm in Tokyo, Kohei spent time backacking overseas. While travelling he decided when that he returned to Japan he would become a traditional Japanese craftsman.
After returning to Japan, he worked under a crafstman from his home town, Kato Terukuni, to learn the techniques of the local traditional craft of Chidori Uchiwa fan making. Kato Terukuni had been creating the Chidori Uchiwa fans for over 60 years. Now, after inheriting the skills of Kato, Kohei is the last remaining creator of the Edo-style Miyako Uchiwa Chidori fan.
Since 2019, Kohei has ben producing the Chidori Uchiwa fans on his own. He has also offered fan-making workshops to users of welfare facilities, striving to create new value by combining tradition and welfare.
Career
2019 Started working as a Chidori fan craftsman
2020 Received the Good Design Award, Sustainable Selection
2021 Mitsui Golden Takumi Award Encouragement Award.
2024 Appointed Representative Director of CREATIVE SHERPA Takumi no Mori General Incorporated Association
Media Appearances
NHK "Good Morning Japan" and "Shuto-ken Network"
TV Saitama " Ima Doki! Saitama"
Yomiuri Shimbun (newspaper)
Tokyo Shimbun (newspaper)
Tobu Yomiuri Shimbun (newspaper)
Kasukabe Keizai Shimbun (newspaper)
BRUTUS
Fujingaho Beautiful Kimono
25ans (Vingt Cinq Ans)