Hagoita (Japanese Badminton Racket) - 25cm x 11cm

This item is still in its original bag and has not been taken out. It is completely new.

Hagoita (a traditional Japanese paddle) is an auspicious item given to girls for their first New Year, wishing them good health and warding off evil spirits. The hane (feather) in Hagoita sounds like hane (to repel), signifying the warding off of misfortune, and the ball used in the game (a soapberry seed) means mukoshi (a child without illness), symbolizing the wish for children to grow up without trouble. It is typically displayed from mid-December to mid-January (Little New Year). Hagoita are characterized by their vibrant depictions of beautiful women or Kabuki actors, and today, they come in various designs suitable for interior decoration.

Origin: Its roots lie in the Gitcho (a type of mallet game) played in the Imperial Court during the Heian period, and it became a pastime for the nobility in the Muromachi period.

Meaning: The hane (feather) is said to hane (repel) evil spirits, and the feather ball (soapberry) represents mukoshi (a child without illness), signifying the wish for a child to grow up healthy and protected from harm.

Edo Period: With the meaning of warding off evil spirits, Hagoita were decorated with pictures of beautiful women and Kabuki actors, developing into decorative items.

Display Period and Timing
When to Give: It is customary for the maternal grandparents to give it around mid-December, coinciding with the baby's first New Year.
Display Duration: The general guideline is from mid-December to around January 15th (Little New Year). After the New Year, there is a custom of burning it along with other New Year's decorations during the Ota-age (Dondo-yaki) ceremony.
Notes: In modern times, there are no strict rules regarding the display period, and it can be enjoyed until late January or displayed year-round.

The item will be shipped with bubble wrap attached to the outer box.

Thank you for your consideration.