War Fan (Gunbai) with Concealed Spear Blade 18th century Japanese Military commanders used a type of fixed fan, called a war fan (gunbai), to signal soldiers on the battlefield. The silver mounts of this example are engraved with flowers against a stippled background, and the lower section of the shaft, which is detachable, is mounted with a concealed steel bladean unusual feature that would have appealed to Western collectors.. War Fan (Gunbai) with Concealed Spear Blade. Japanese. 18th century. Wood, silver, steel, lacquer, silk. Miscellaneous