Kyoto - Miyawaki Baisen-an: Exquisite Handicrafts

Shop Name: Miyawaki Baisen-an Address: 80-3 Daikoku-cho, Rokkaku-dori, Tominokoji Higashi-iru, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto City Business Hours: 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM (until 7:00 PM in summer) · Established in 1823 (Bunsei 6), Miyawaki Baisen-an is one of Kyoto's and Japan's most renowned shops specializing in Kyoto fans. Their handcrafted Kyoto fans are not only perfect for staying cool in summer but are also highly regarded as a symbol of the historical legacy of Kyoto fans. · Each Kyoto fan is meticulously handmade, featuring evenly crafted ribs and richly hand-painted fan surfaces. These fans are also essential props for tea ceremonies, kabuki performances, kyogen plays, and festivals. · The shop is housed in a standalone machiya townhouse. The first floor primarily showcases practical Kyoto fans, while the second floor displays artistic pieces, including fan surfaces inspired by Ogata Korin's "Wind God and Thunder God" painting. Browsing through the collection feels akin to visiting an art museum. · Unlike the mass-produced fans found on Shijo Street, the fans here evoke the timeless charm of Kyoto's ancient culture.