A Japanese war fan (gunbai uchiwa)

A Japanese war fan (gunbai uchiwa), the metal framed head of butterfly form, decorated in gold lacquer with a dragon to one face against a dark ground, and four seal script characters against a red ground to the other, bronze mounted shaft with lacquered cane bound grip, tasseled cord, 19th Century.

The original purpose of such fans was as a signaling device and a mark of rank for samurai leaders.