The folding fan is said to have originated from Japan during the Heian Period and was introduced to China during the Northern Song dynasty. Before then, Chinese fans could not be folded but came in a variety of shapes and materials, from palm fronds and bamboo ones used in ordinary homes, to silk and satin ones for highborn ladies. The folding fan is wielded spectacularly by Jackie Chan in The Young Master (1980) — a short staff for stabbing and blocking when folded, and a defensive tool and an ever-changing distraction to the opponent once opened.

The folding fan from The Young Master (1980)