Uchiwa Ota-ya

Uchiwa Ota-ya's history dates back to the first generation, who handled Edo uchiwa in Tokyo. Through a connection with the Boso region — known as a producing area for medake bamboo essential to uchiwa making — the workshop relocated to Tomiura-cho, Minamiboso City, Chiba Prefecture after the Great Kanto Earthquake, becoming part of today's "Boshu uchiwa" producing region.

Boshu uchiwa is characterized by a radial bamboo bone where handle and rib are unified, finished by attaching washi or fabric. Polishing the bamboo surface, splitting it finely to make the bones, weaving with thread, and attaching paper or fabric — completing one uchiwa requires more than 20 processes, with each step demanding the artisan's experience and intuition.

Fourth-generation Mitsue Ota has been involved in Boshu uchiwa making for many years and is highly evaluated as a traditional craftsperson. At the workshop, she finishes uchiwa with careful handwork while facing each material — from selecting medake bamboo to making bones, dyeing, and choosing patterns.

In recent years, the workshop has taken on new expressions and channels while preserving traditional techniques — including original uchiwa for restaurants and clubs in Roppongi and Ginza, high-interior pieces, and sales through the English site "Uchiwa Ota-ya" for overseas fans. Through reservation-based "uchiwa classes" and visiting workshops, the workshop also focuses on activities to pass uchiwa culture to the next generation.

Born from medake bamboo: "Boshu Uchiwa," one of Japan's three great uchiwa

Uchiwa Ota-ya is a maker of "Boshu uchiwa" — a Chiba Prefecture traditional craft, counted as one of the three great uchiwa of Japan. Using locally Boso-grown medake bamboo, the workshop builds bones that leverage the long internode and suppleness — finishing each uchiwa to create a soft, comfortable breeze, one by one.

A four-generation artisan workshop carrying Edo uchiwa techniques

Ota-ya originally handled Edo uchiwa in Edo. With the Great Kanto Earthquake as a catalyst, the workshop relocated to Boso — a bamboo-producing region. Today, 4th-generation Mitsue Ota carries on the workshop, continuing uchiwa making that fuses Edo uchiwa and Boshu uchiwa techniques.

A world of uchiwa expanding through original design, classes, and overseas shipping

Beyond traditional Japanese patterns, the workshop also creates original-design Edo uchiwa (Boshu uchiwa) incorporating modern sensibility. In addition to special orders for company and restaurant interiors, commemorative items and gifts, the workshop also runs reservation-based "uchiwa classes" and overseas shipping through its English site and online shop.