Ōgi Wakizashi (扇) – Folding Fan

Ōgi (扇): the folding fan

The folding fan, ōgi, is a Japanese invention. At once a court accessory, a theatrical prop and a ceremonial object, it was also carried by samurai, most notably the gunbai of field commanders. It is a symbol of openness, of expanding prosperity and of good fortune.

This wakizashi honours that symbol through its tsuba: pierced rays that open like a fan across half the guard, punctuated by five cherry blossoms.

A two-tone T10 steel blade with bo-hi

The blade is forged from T10 steel, a high-carbon steel prized for its hardness. It follows a shinogi-zukuri geometry with a chū-kissaki tip and a torii-zori curvature, and is grooved with a bo-hi.

The finish is two-tone: a mirror-polished black body and spine, paired with a satin-finished clear steel edge. The gunome-style line between the two zones is a decorative hamon.

A black, fan-inspired mounting

The kiku-gata tsuba in blackened iron is pierced (ji-sukashi) with rays forming fan petals across half the guard, accented by five pierced cherry blossoms. Its surface is black-polished (migaki), with a rounded rim (maru-mimi). A gilt brass seppa completes the ensemble.

The fuchi and kashira in smooth blackened alloy are deliberately understated. The handle combines wood with a faux black ray skin, beneath a hineri-maki tsuka-ito wrap in brown and black, fitted with black menuki. The ichimai habaki in gilt copper bears a raised floral motif against a chequered ground.

A brown-and-black saya with floral ornamentation

The saya is crafted from solid wood, painted in brown and black with a textured matte finish, and dressed along its entire length with raised floral motifs and scrolling reliefs. The koiguchi and kojiri are lacquered brown, the kojiri carrying the raised decoration through to its tip. The brown-lacquered kurikata holds a blue-and-brown sageo.

Dimensions and handling of the wakizashi

With a blade of 51 cm and an overall length of 78 cm, Ōgi carries the proportions of a wakizashi, the short companion to the katana. Its 23 cm handle offers a comfortable one-handed grip, with room for the second hand in support. At 1 kg, it remains thoroughly manoeuvrable. At 80 cm in its saya, it is an ideal format for display on its own or alongside a katana.