Hagoita and Hanetsuki

Hagoita (羽子板 ｢はごいた｣) are rectangular wooden paddles, originating in Japan, ostensibly used to play hanetsuki, but often instead serving a more ornamental purpose. These are frequently painted, usually with lacquer, with auspicious symbols, or decorated with complex silk collages. This tradition dates to the 17th century, and although the game itself is now rarely played, crafting decorative hagoita is still commonplace.

They are generally sold at traditional fairs, hagoita ichi, which are held in December. In Tokyo, they are sold at shrines, especially Asakusa and Furukawa Fudō.

Hanetsuki (羽根突き, 羽子突き) is a Japanese traditional game, similar to badminton without a net, played with a rectangular wooden paddle called a hagoita and a brightly-coloured shuttlecock.

Often played by girls at the New Year, the game can be played in two fashions: by one person attempting to keep the shuttlecock aloft as long as possible, or by two people batting it back and forth. Girls who fail to hit the shuttlecock get marked on the face with India Ink.

Traditionally, the longer the shuttlecock remains in the air, the greater protection from mosquitoes the players will receive during the coming year.

Although Hanetsuki is not as popular as it used to be, decorative hagoita are commonly sold throughout Japan.

Hagoita sometimes have pictures of Kabuki theatre performers on it.