An artistic and practical introduction to the secrets of classical Japanese traditions: Yuko Matsuyama introduces the Japanese folding dance fan Mai-Ohgi (aka Sensu), the soul of Japanese dance. The 90-minute workshop begins with a brief introduction to the kimono and its shapes (patterns), then we open the Japanese folding dance fan and experience the Japanese aesthetic through the movement of the Mai-Ohgi (舞扇/dance fan).

Mai-Ohgi (舞扇) aka Sensu (扇子)
舞 (Mai) = dance: The dancer dances to the accompaniment of a song or melody. She starts spinning or moving between people while being cheered on by the others.
扇 ( Sen, ōgi) = tool to create wind
子 (Su) = this is a Chinese suffix and is only used to enhance the sound of the preceding Chinese character.

The folding fan appeared in Japan as early as the 8th to 12th centuries, the Heian period. It is still a custom in Japan today to carry a fan on ceremonial occasions when wearing the traditional Japanese kimono. Throughout the history of Japan, hand fans (rigid fans and folding fans) have evolved and become an integral part of Japanese culture and dance culture. The fan consists of 6 to 12 shafts, a paper fan surface and small iron weights attached to the bottom left and right of the shaft. When a dancer holds the fan, it becomes an extension of the dancer's body. The weights on the shafts allow the dancer's hand to accurately sense the drag on the surface of the fan, and using this drag and gravity the dancer controls the movement of the fan and his body. Always using gravity and air resistance, the aesthetics of the Mai fans are based on dynamics. And Mai-ohgi can also be turned into pantomime props to represent objects such as glass, bottle, letter, mountain or door.

Participation fee €5 / reduced €3

Due to the limited number of participants, registration by e-mail is required!