The Iron War Fan or Tessen.

Has anyone used one?

I've seen tessen kata on youtube; they vary in quality. I know that Japanese Kuno Ichi used them, but do guys use them too? I have bought one for our Sempai for her birthday. It's for girls, right? Or is the tessen what Sumo referees carry into the Basho?

"tessen" means "iron fan"

"gunbai" is what gyoji use in sumo tournaments. I think those are usually wooden.

It sounds like you got it right to me. However, I've seen tessen demos done by male and female practitioners.

We spent a small amount of time with it when I studied Tai Chi. Male and female practiced with it.

Gunbai are usually the unfoldable flat ones right?

I think the Tessen is generally a male and female weapon:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_war_fan#War_fans_in_history_and_folklore

A war fan is a fan designed for use in warfare. Several types of war fans were used by the samurai class of feudal Japan. Kunoichi (female ninja) used them also. They are also referred to as tessen. War fans were commonly used as surprise-weapons.

You must watch this video

While the book can be a little fantastical, in Shotokan's Secret the author suggests that since folding fans were such a common element of day to day dress Matsumura and company may have carried tessen (that didn't fold out, basically iron cudgels) as secret weapons. Seeing as he and his pals doubled as bodyguards for the king at the time, and they weren't supposed to carry weapons (Satsuma edicts and what-not) I don't find this unlikely. There are some paintings floating around where they have folding fans stuffed in their belts.

I use a tessen as a secondary weapon when doing juttejutsu, which is part of the Shinto Muso Ryu curriculum.

We generally practice with a price of wood shaped like a folded fan.

I do have a steel foldable fan which is quite stiff and heavy.

Imho, nothings just for girls, and nothings just for boys, at least not in modern times.

Imho, nothings just for girls, and nothings just for boys, at least not in modern times.

I agree. I wasn't sure if it appeared to be more suited to women because they would have carried them more often, as the men would usually have carried something more useful as a weapon, like a sword? But, it appears the fan may have been an item carried by men at times, as well.

Imho, nothings just for girls, and nothings just for boys, at least not in modern times.

I agree. I wasn't sure if it appeared to be more suited to women because they would have carried them more often, as the men would usually have carried something more useful as a weapon, like a sword? But, it appears the fan may have been an item carried by men at times, as well.

I believe this is true. I have to admit that my historical knowledge is mostly in Western history but I seem to remember something about this. Also, fans are an awesome weapon, no matter the gender.