Japanese
Warrior Folding Fan (Gun-Sen), early 19th century
Ink and color on paper with lacquered bamboo ribs and silk tassle, 33.2 x 54.3 cm (13 1/16 x 21 3/8 in.)
One side of this Japanese warrior folding fan is red with a gold crescent moon in its center. To the left of the moon, four gold circles are connected by three gold lines, creating an open square shape, and then connected to the moon with another gold line. On the right side of the moon, three circles are connected to the moon and to each other by the same thin gold line. This arrangement culminates in a stylized arrow shape pointing back at the moon. The reverse side of the fan is gold with a brilliant red sun in the center, similar to the national flag of Japan. The moon and circles design is repeated on this side on the black lacquered guard of the fan. A black tassel holds the base of the ribs together.
Vatichino
Commentary
Isabella Stewart Gardner kept meticulous records of many of her acquisitions. In keeping with this legacy, object information is continually being reviewed, updated, and enriched in order to give greater access to the collection.