Sunday challenge 173 - This week's challenge is: Inspired by Asia. Pick something related to Asia that is the motivation for the photograph. It could be a map, food, fabric, artwork, a travel souvenir - the sky's the limit.

We can't remember when or where we acquired this, on our travels.

It is a traditional Chinese folding fan, large, just under a metre wide.

The history of the Chinese folding fan begins with its introduction from Japan and Korea in the 10th century during the Northern Song Dynasty, although China had a long history of non-folding fans made of feathers, straw, or bamboo. These imported folding fans, called julian, gained immense popularity during the Ming Dynasty, especially among scholars who decorated them with calligraphy and paintings, turning them into portable works of art that symbolized social status and literary talent.

…The practice of painting motifs like birds and flowers on fans became popular during the Song Dynasty.
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