also: さしば
large ceremonial fan; face-hiding fan
Historical object used in ancient Japanese court ceremonies. An attendant would hold this large fan-shaped object to conceal the face of a noble or to shield them from view. Now primarily encountered in historical or cultural contexts.
Heian-period nobles sometimes hid their faces with a sashiha.
In the festival procession, an attendant walked carrying a large ceremonial fan.
A folding fan used for cooling or as an accessory, not a large face-hiding ceremonial object.
A flat, round fan used for cooling, not held by an attendant to conceal someone.
Primary kanji form for the historical fan object. Also read えい or は in some contexts, but さしは is the most common reading for this meaning.
Alternate kanji spelling, rarely used.
Alternate kanji spelling, rarely used.
Voiced variant reading, also used.
The kanji 翳 means 'shade' or 'screen', reflecting its use as a shielding object. The reading さしは likely derives from 差し (sashi, 'holding up') + 羽 (ha, 'feather/wing'), referring to the fan-like shape. The exact historical derivation is uncertain.