How to Make a Japanese Fan Card

Japanese fans are very symbolic, especially when given as gifts. Fans are a sign of unlimited success, so giving fans as gifts is the perfect way to show people you care. Instead of sending a fan, you can send a Japanese fan card. This card will still carry a symbolic message and you can include your own. In this tutorial, you will learn how to make a simple Japanese fan card to give to someone special in your life.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 6x6-inch piece of red origami paper 6x6-inch piece of origami paper in any color Two 2x 1/2-inch strips of gold paper Tape Glue Pen

1. 
    

   Fold the red piece of origami paper in half, and have the open end of the fold face down.

2. Cut the alternate 6x6-inch colored piece of origami in half.

3. 
    

   Accordion fold both pieces of the freshly cut origami paper. To create an accordion fold, fold 1/2 inch of one end of the paper up and crease it, keeping the flap down. Take the flap and the portion of the paper it's covering down. Repeat this until you reach the other end of the paper.

4. Open the paper slightly and pinch one end of paper together, wrapping a small piece of tape around the end. Open the other end as wide as you can. Here is your fan.

5. 
    

   Take the gold strips off paper and wrap them around the pinched ends of the fan. Glue to secure the strips. The gold strips mimic fan handles.

6. 
    
   One did not have glue for this tutorial, so one used tape. Don't use tape to secure your fans!

   Arrange the two mini fans on the top flap of card you created in step one. Once you are happy with the arrangement, glue the fans down to secure them.

7. 
    

   Wait for the glue to dry. Once the glue is dry, open the card and write an inspiration message inside. Your card is complete!

Tips & Warnings

• Use a lot of red in your Japanese fan card; red is a sign of good luck. Gold is another great color to use while making a Japanese fan card. Gold stands for prosperity. The more you expand your fans, the better. A wide-open fan is a symbol of unlimited success. If you want to make your card look more fancy, include symbolic drawings. Sakura/cherry blossoms are a sign of living in the moment, loyalty, and true love. Plum blossoms are a sign of hope, overcoming challenges, and new beginnings.
• If the glue doesn't completely dry, your fans may fall off easily.

Resources

• Japanese Symbolism

[betterbody]

on 5/14/2009 Love your 5 * tips on making a Japanese fan card.

[lestigre]

on 5/14/2009 very cute idea!

[Quickstar]

on 5/13/2009 This looks like a lot of fun, I saw some wooden Japanese fans the other day, that I thought were very unique. Thanks for the project idea!

[callmechris79]

on 5/13/2009 This was fun. :) Good article :)

[Handmadedreams]

on 5/13/2009 I love this idea. Thanks.