Made in Japan

HANDMADE MATSUOKA-HIME KASUMI SILK JAPANESE FOLDING FAN | KIMONO ITOKO 伊と幸

Name: HANDMADE MATSUOKA-HIME KASUMI SILK JAPANESE FOLDING FAN | KIMONO ITOKO 伊と幸
Brand: Kimono-Itoko
Price: 198.00 GBP
Availability: InStock

£198.00

Where Light, Silk and Shadow Gently Meet

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An exceptional Japanese folding fan made from translucent Matsuoka-hime silk, accompanied by a replaceable scented charm for a subtle trace of fragrance.

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HANDMADE MATSUOKA-HIME KASUMI SILK JAPANESE FOLDING FAN | KIMONO ITOKO 伊と幸

£198.00

Taxes included.Shipping calculated at checkout.

Quantity

📦 Delivered from the UK

🚚 Free UK delivery over £60 or when you buy any 4 items

🎁 Gift wrapping available

🇯🇵 All products made in Japan

Silk, light and a trace of fragrance.

Kasumi is an exceptionally refined Japanese folding fan, crafted with pure Japanese silk and finished with a replaceable scented charm.

Named Kasumi — “mist”, this fan takes its character from the remarkable translucency of its silk.

The fan surface is crafted from Kasumi Silk (霞絹), an exceptionally light and translucent silk textile whose softly sheer appearance evokes a veil of mist. Scattered natural slubs appear throughout the fabric, creating a subtle texture and an airy character unique to the material.

At its heart is Matsuoka-hime (松岡姫), a rare pure Japanese silk used for the weft of the fabric. Produced from carefully selected Japanese cocoons, its fine raw silk reveals a beautiful natural lustre that shifts gently with the angle of the light.

The silk is dyed by skilled Kyoto artisans using traditional Hikizome (引き染め), creating an elegant black gradient that moves from deep charcoal to a subtle indigo-like tone.

The distinctive slubs within the silk are created through Zaguri (座繰り), a traditional hand-reeling process. Their placement naturally varies from piece to piece, giving each fan its own individual character rather than representing an imperfection.

A Fragrance That Never Touches the Silk

At the end of the fan hangs a small decorative charm containing a scented sachet.

Instead of applying fragrance directly to the fan, the aroma is kept separately inside this charm. It leaves only a subtle trace around the fan while keeping the precious silk untouched by perfume or fragrance oils.

When the scent eventually fades, the sachet can simply be removed and replaced.

It is a thoughtful detail — fragrance becomes part of the experience of carrying the fan, rather than a permanent treatment of the object itself.

Discover the quiet beauty of Japanese silk with this exceptional Kasumi Silk Folding Fan by ItoKo (伊と幸), a long-established Kyoto silk specialist founded in 1931.

PRODUCT DETAILS

Brand
Kimono Itoko (伊と幸)

Origin
Handmade in Japan

Materials
Fan Surface: Pure Silk
Fan Pouch: Pure Silk / Tango Chirimen
Fan Ribs: Bamboo

Dye Colour
Black Gradient (黒ぼかし染め)

Size
7.5 sun / Approx. 23 cm

Construction
20 ribs

Content
1 Folding fan with matching pure silk fan pouch, and removable mizuhiki fragrance charm netsuke

Care
Handle with care to preserve the delicate silk and embroidery. Keep away from water and moisture, and avoid rubbing or pulling the embroidered surface. When not in use, gently fold the fan and store it in the included silk pouch in a cool, dry place away from prolonged direct sunlight.

Shipping
Shipped directly from the UK warehouse.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Tōsensu (透扇子)?

Tōsensu refers to a folding fan made with a delicate, translucent fan surface. In this piece, fine silk allows light to pass gently through the fabric, highlighting the intricate embroidery and giving the fan its distinctive airy elegance.

Who is ItoKo (伊と幸)?

ItoKo is a Kyoto silk specialist founded in 1931, originally established as a maker of shirokiji (白生地) — fine undyed silk fabrics traditionally used for kimono.

For nearly a century, the company has dedicated itself to preserving the quality and heritage of Japanese silk weaving. Its work includes Matsuoka-hime (松岡姫), an exceptionally rare pure Japanese silk representing less than 1% of Japan’s domestic silk distribution.

Alongside its traditional kimono textiles, ItoKo now brings its expertise in pure silk (shōken) into contemporary Japanese accessories and lifestyle pieces, helping carry the beauty and cultural value of Japanese silk craftsmanship into the next generation.

What is Hikizome (引き染め)?

Hikizome is a traditional Japanese dyeing technique in which dye is carefully applied across the fabric by hand. For this fan, skilled Kyoto dyers use the technique to create a delicate, translucent colour while preserving the lightness and beauty of the fine silk.

What is Kasumi Silk (霞絹)?

Kasumi Silk is a lightweight, translucent silk textile with an appearance reminiscent of kasumi — mist or haze. Naturally occurring slubs appear irregularly across the sheer fabric, giving it a distinctive texture and understated beauty.

What is Matsuoka-hime (松岡姫)?

Matsuoka-hime is an exceptionally rare pure Japanese silk and Japan’s first unified silk brand covering the production journey from cocoon through to finished undyed silk fabric. ItoKo introduced the Matsuoka-hime brand in 1996. In this fan, Matsuoka-hime silk is used for the weft threads of the Kasumi Silk fabric.

What is the Mizuhiki charm?

The fan includes a removable Mizuhiki fragrance charm netsuke. Mizuhiki is a traditional Japanese decorative cord craft associated with gifting, celebration and meaningful connections. The charm can be removed when preferred.

Why are there small slubs in the silk?

They are an intentional characteristic of the textile rather than defects. The slubs originate during the traditional Zaguri (座繰り) hand-reeling process, giving the fabric its distinctive organic texture. Their size and placement naturally vary, meaning every fan has subtle individual differences.