A Gunbai (軍配, literally meaning: army arrangement) or gunbai uchiwa (軍配団扇, literally meaning: army arrangement fan) is a non-folding fan, usually made of wood. It was used in ancient Japan by samurai officers to communicate with their troops. Nowadays, it is used by referees of professional sumō matches.
Madara and Obito have been seen wielding large gunbai with the same features. It is a wide fan with tomoe on it and has long handles with bandages wrapped around the base, as well as having a long chain attached to it.
In the past, when Madara used it, it was depicted as having a brown tint with a black border, red tomoe and this chain was attached to the handle that appears to have been connected to his kama,[1][2][3] whereas when Obito uses it, the chain appears to enter his sleeve.[4]
When Obito started using it, it was depicted as having a purple tint with a black border and tomoe design on it. He wields the gunbai predominantly like a flail using the chain attached to guide the fan which he can use as a shield because of its durability, and was able to block Naruto's Super Mini-Tailed Beast Ball without receiving any noticeable damage.[5]
During the Fourth Shinobi World War, Obito returned the fan to Madara, stating that it was in fact Madara's in the first place.[6]
Utilised Techniques
- Uchiha Return
- Gunbai Barrier Technique
Trivia
- In the anime cut-scene of Naruto Shippūden: Ultimate Ninja Storm Generations, Madara is seen using his gunbai to create powerful gusts of wind, capable of blocking projectiles and blowing enemies away, as well as a melee weapon in combination with his kama.
