Shibu-Uchiwa Oval Barbecue Wax

The craftsmen of the Kumamoto Prefecture, in southern Japan, manufacture shibu-uchiwa (broken fans) for 400 years.

The fans are made from handmade Japanese paper, covered with khaki tannin (khaki-shibu) and attached to a bamboo handle. The tann layer makes the paper rigid and durable.

With a little care, the fans can last decades, their intensifying color to take a beautiful rich hue over time.

The naturally colored khaki tannin reinforces the paper while pushing insects. The natural color will change and intensify over time. These fans are often used by leaders in Japan and around the world.

As kitchen distensions, they are perfect for cooling foods such as sushi rice or to control heat and flames when cooking on charcoal grills.

* Shibu: Kaki tannin coating: Kakishibu painting (Kaki tannin) refers to Khaki tannin painting, a natural painting. Kakishibu is obtained by fermentation of non-mature green kakis juice. It has antiseptic, insecticide and waterproofing properties, and has been used for many years as paint and dye.

In houses, Khaki tannin coating is often used to cover interior elements such as columns, floors and wooden furniture. The main advantage of Khaki tannin coating is that it improves the durability and impermeability of buildings and furniture. As it is a natural ingredient, it has no adverse effect on the human body.