Cooling the Air with Water

Jan 26, 2026

「EP.107」水うちわ

MIZU UCHIWA
Gifu Prefecture

「transcript」

Gifu’s river culture is closely linked to ukai, traditional cormorant fishing on the Nagara River. Tourists watching these night fishing scenes would dip their fans into the river to cool off, which led to the creation of the Mizu Uchiwa. When waved, it scatters tiny droplets into the air, cooling the breeze through natural evaporative cooling.

The creation process involves multiple crafts working together. Papermakers create a unique type of washi using ganpi plants, carefully removing impurities from the fibers before sheeting, drying, and sun-curing the paper. Designs are added through precise, hand-applied screen printing. Bamboo craftsmen then hand-shape and weave ultra-fine bamboo ribs to form the frame. Once assembled, the fan is varnished and sun-dried to achieve its signature clarity.

Today, Mizu Uchiwa serves as both a cooling tool and a piece of art. It’s used outdoors in summer heat, and also displayed as seasonal art that evokes rivers, wind, and summer light. Collaborations with artists have introduced new patterns and colors, expanding how this craft is enjoyed.

Mizu Uchiwa isn’t about overpowering heat.

It’s about creating a gentle cool by working with water, air, and light.

*The assets featured here are the work of their rightful creators, credited below