Uchiwa Kobo Yoko

Boshu uchiwa, inherited in the Minamiboso area of Chiba Prefecture, is a bamboo uchiwa characterized by its rounded shape and flexible bamboo ribs. Uchiwa Kobo Yoko opened its workshop in Chikura-cho, Minamiboso City, as a workshop that conveys the techniques of Boshu uchiwa to the modern era.

At the workshop, the entire series of processes is done by hand — from bamboo gathering from bamboo forests, drying, splitting, and shaving for rib-making, to stretching cloth or washi paper and wrapping the edges to finish. Using diverse materials such as yukata fabric, yuzen washi paper, kimono fabric, and textile fabric, the maker creates one-of-a-kind Boshu uchiwa.

Works are exhibited and sold not only at the Minamiboso workshop but also at traditional craft exhibitions held at department stores and event venues across the country. While demonstrating in front of visitors, the maker carefully conveys how to make bamboo uchiwa and the history of Boshu uchiwa.

In recent years, the maker has also held uchiwa-making experiences for visitors from Japan and abroad, as well as workshops for international school students — communicating Boshu uchiwa as an entry point to familiarize people with Japanese traditional crafts. The aim is for each person to take home the breeze of Minamiboso with the uchiwa they finished by their own hands.

A maker of "Boshu uchiwa" with over 400 years of history

Uchiwa Kobo Yoko is a workshop that makes "Boshu uchiwa," a traditional craft of Chiba Prefecture. The maker sticks to old-fashioned handcrafting — splitting ribs from a single bamboo, polishing them, and stretching cloth or washi paper to finish.

A workshop adjacent to the flower fields of Shirahatsu, Minamiboso

With the workshop located within Hana no Parking in Shirahatsu, Chikura-cho, Minamiboso City, the maker holds live demonstrations and experience classes for Boshu uchiwa in a location overlooking flower fields and the sea. Visitors can stop by during their trip and experience the breeze of bamboo uchiwa.

"Uchiwa-making experience" and on-site workshops with artisans

At the workshop, uchiwa-making experiences enjoyable for families and groups are held. You can choose the design of cloth or washi paper, then experience the process of stretching and finishing it on the ribs alongside an artisan. On-site experiences at accommodations, corporate training, and event venues are also accommodated.