Iron War Fan. Japan Edo.

Iron, bamboo and paper war fan. Decorated with a red sun on a gold background on one side and a red sun on a silver background on the other side. Used by a warlord as a visual indicator of movement orders for his troops and possibly usable as a truncheon. Inside some engraved Chinese characters, probably the blacksmith's signature. Japanese work from the Edo period. Good condition. Length closed: 325 mm Open: 550 mm.