War fans[1] or metal battle fans[2] are a specialized weapon used both offensively and defensively. They rose to prominence due to their usage by Avatar Kyoshi, and were used extensively by the Kyoshi Warriors, who imitated her fashion and fighting style. Notable users after the life of Avatar Kyoshi include Suki, the leader of the Kyoshi Warriors at the end of the Hundred Year War, as well as Ty Lee upon joining them.
History
War fans were first used in combat by Avatar Kyoshi's mother, Jesa, prior to 315 BG. She created the first known pair of metal fans to strengthen her declining airbending abilities, which she believed to be due to the fact that she had abandoned the Air Nomads' spiritual lifestyle.[3] In Yokoya Port, she left the fans to her daughter, along with a few other tokens, which would influence her later image.[4]
Avatar Kyoshi
Kyoshi would later take up the use of her mother's war fans. Upon using them, she discovered that they improved her earthbending and allowed her to move tiny objects more precisely. Kyoshi also discovered that the fans could improve her waterbending abilities, as she accidentally waterbent for the first time when she automatically defended herself with them from a water attack.[5] Wong, an earthbender and member of the Flying Opera Company, trained Kyoshi to properly employ the fan as a extension of her arm rather than a weapon per se.[6]
Avatar Kyoshi used her war fans extensively in combat, including while separating Kyoshi Island from the mainland and killing Chin the Conqueror.[7] They formed an integral part of her combat style and she used them in a variety of movements, including airbending substantial volumes of air. Her profound bending abilities as the Avatar allowed her to use the fans as a ranged weapon in contrast to their later usage as a melee weapon.[8]
Kyoshi Warriors
The Kyoshi Warriors used a set of two fans in imitation of Avatar Kyoshi, who personally trained the first cohort of female warriors in self-defense.[7][9] As nonbenders, however, they did not use them to enhance their bending like Avatar Kyoshi. They wielded these fans in conjunction with a specialized fighting style that was based on the concept of turning an opponent's energy against them and exploiting openings. These implements were used for defense, but they could also be thrown elliptically as boomerangs or propelled as projectiles. These fans were the primary weapons of the Kyoshi Warriors and usually the first to be used in battle. Later, when teaching Sokka about the way of the Kyoshi Warriors, Suki mentioned that it was like an extension of the arm.[10]
The Kyoshi Warriors used their war fans against Azula's team while defending Appa. Suki dueled Azula with her fans prior to being captured along with the rest of the warriors.[11] Following the conclusion of the Hundred Year War, Ty Lee learned how to use war fans as well.[12]
Design
The ornate war fans are similar in shape and size to other types of fan accessory. Notably, they are made with gold-colored metal that is alloyed with bronze and are packed in a soft wood frame that hold them open and protect them.[1] They make a distinct sound upon being opened. While they were originally designed to augment airbending, war fans have been used predominantly by nonbenders since their creation.[10]
Known users
Trivia
- The fans are similar to those employed in Japan in tessenjutsu. A tessen is a Japanese hand fan made of iron and designed for use in warfare.