You write: "You will note that the drawings and much of the text of this passage are remarkably similar, not to say identical to, those in ‘Sports and Pastimes’ from 1676."
I see the image but not the text of the 1676 book. I'd like to read it as well.
The 1881 description says that is is also known as "Japanese fan". Any lead on that? Why name it "Japanese" if it had been known in the West for centuries?
Hmmm. I suppose that the name 'Magic Fan' comes from the fan-like position that is one of the basic forms, or perhaps because in many forms the paper is 'fanned out'. Since pleated collapsible paper fans are Japanese in origin it seems a simple step to then call it a 'Japanese Fan' ... and, of course, at that date, calling things Japanese or Chinese etc without any historical justification was quite a widespread practice in conjuring circles. We have the Chinese Wallet, for instance ... and even the Afghan Bands. The mystery of the Orient! Or at least, those are my guesses. What we do know, however, is that there is no evidence for Troublewit in Japan. It seems to been an exclusively European form of paperfolding.
Very interesting!
Awesome! Thanks for your research
You write: "You will note that the drawings and much of the text of this passage are remarkably similar, not to say identical to, those in ‘Sports and Pastimes’ from 1676."
I see the image but not the text of the 1676 book. I'd like to read it as well.
Here you go https://www.origamiheaven.com/historysportsandpastimes.htm
Thank you :)
The 1881 description says that is is also known as "Japanese fan". Any lead on that? Why name it "Japanese" if it had been known in the West for centuries?
Hmmm. I suppose that the name 'Magic Fan' comes from the fan-like position that is one of the basic forms, or perhaps because in many forms the paper is 'fanned out'. Since pleated collapsible paper fans are Japanese in origin it seems a simple step to then call it a 'Japanese Fan' ... and, of course, at that date, calling things Japanese or Chinese etc without any historical justification was quite a widespread practice in conjuring circles. We have the Chinese Wallet, for instance ... and even the Afghan Bands. The mystery of the Orient! Or at least, those are my guesses. What we do know, however, is that there is no evidence for Troublewit in Japan. It seems to been an exclusively European form of paperfolding.
Sounds like a good guess. Another piece to add to the already confused laypeople who believe that all folded things originated from Japan!