ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Gunbai

Okay kiddo, have you ever seen a Japanese Samurai movie? You know how the samurai sometimes have a big fan that they carry around with them? Well, that fan is called a gunbai.

The gunbai was originally used by high-ranking samurai to communicate with their troops during battle. They would use the fan to signal their troops to move forward, retreat, or change their formation.

Eventually, the gunbai became more decorative and was used by samurai leaders to show off their wealth and status. The fans were often made of high-quality materials like lacquered wood and gold leaf, and were decorated with beautiful designs.

Today, the gunbai is still used in traditional Japanese festivals and ceremonies as a symbol of power and authority. So, that's the gunbai - a fan that was once used in battle but is now a symbol of tradition and culture in Japan.
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