The tessen 鉄扇, also known as the war fan, is a unique Japanese weapon. It comes in two main forms: either as a functional fan, made up of linked blades that can be unfolded to allow the blades to be sharpened, or as a block of steel that mimics the shape of a folded fan, and is used to strike and parry attacks.
Used mainly during the period of feudal Japan, its use was more widespread during the Sengoku period (mid-15th to early 17th century) and the Edo period (17th to mid-19th century).
During these tumultuous periods of Japanese history, marked by incessant conflicts between rival feudal lords and civil wars, the tessen was used as a personal defense weapon in situations where the use of a sword or other more conventional weapons was forbidden or inadvisable. Samurai and ninja were among those who used the tessen, although its use was not limited to them alone.
Unlike the traditional samurai fan, which was generally a fixed panel on a handle, the tessen more closely resembles a European fan. Although traditionally associated with noble men and commanders, women were also skilled in its use and often wore one at all times, in the absence of a kaiken, a small dagger concealed in the kimono's belt. Its discretion made it a popular choice among ninjas, whose weapons often had to go unnoticed.
Samurai commonly used the tessen as a defensive weapon in the palaces of the daimyo or shogun, where carrying swords or knives was often forbidden. Its small size also made it a logical choice for confined spaces, such as corridors or castle rooms.
The fighting techniques developed with tessen are known as tessen-jutsu. They emphasize strikes, parries and keys, rather than cutting, which was rare and ineffective. Indeed, a slash made with a sharp fan would not have been sufficient to neutralize an opponent. In self-defense, it was often more useful to neutralize an assailant to obtain information than to kill him.
Thus, the tessen remains above all a defensive weapon, although in the context of ninjutsu, its use can vary considerably, sometimes making it the ideal weapon for an assassin.
Discover a tessen offered at Kogeiya Gallery:
