Bashōsen

Not to be confused with the Item Box power-up, Bashosen.

The Bashōsen (バショウセン, Bashōsen^?, lit. "Banana palm fan")^[1] is an object that appears in the Sonic the Hedgehog series. They are a pair of war fans and Jet the Hawk's main weapons.

Description

Appearance

The Bashōsens are a pair of fans that are made up of large green feathers with dark green tips and wooden handles with a red strap on them.

Features and traits

The edges of the Bashōsen fans are said to be razor-sharp.^[2] With one fan, Jet can release wind currents powerful enough to blow opponents off course and disorientate them. He can also use both fans in melee combat, either smacking his opponents or spinning then around to knock away anyone that gets too close.

Game appearances

Sonic Riders series

Sonic Riders

In Sonic Riders, Jet pulls out a Bashōsen fan when he reaches level two in gameplay. At that level, he wields it to disorient his foe. At level three, Jet takes out a secondary fan and uses it in his off-hand to create a twister-like attack to stun the foe for an even longer amount of time.

Sonic Riders: Zero Gravity

In Sonic Riders: Zero Gravity Jet uses only one Bashōsen fan. In gameplay, he uses it whenever he gets an Attack item.

Sonic Forces: Speed Battle

Main article: Bashosen

In Sonic Forces: Speed Battle, the Bashōsen (spelled as Bashosen) is an Item Box power-up exclusive to Jet. In this game, the Bashōsen is an offensive power-up that can be used to attack opponents. Upon dealing damage, it will also steal some of the opponent's Rings. This power-up can also be improved by leveling up the playable character.

In other media

IDW Publishing

Main article: Bashōsen (IDW)

In the Sonic the Hedgehog comic series and its spin-offs published by IDW Publishing, the Bashōsen is a tool used by Jet the Hawk.

Trivia

• The Bashōsen is an item from the Chinese epic Journey to the West. It is one of the five treasured tools owned by the two demon brothers; Kinkaku-daiō and Ginkaku-daiō.
• Jet uses the main Bashōsen in his left hand and sometimes an auxiliary one in his right.
• In Sonic and the Black Knight Jet's counterpart Sir Lamorak uses dual swords that are inspired by the Bashōsen.

References