Although there is no document left that depicts the formal manner of holding fans in the Heian period, many emaki (illustrated handscrolls) show that people hold fans with one hand by the position near the pivot and to the height of their chest or faces.
平安時代の持ち方を正式に記す資料はないが、絵巻ではたいてい片手で要に近いところを持って胸から顔に近い高さにかざしている。