What is a Japanese hagoita?
What is a Japanese hagoita?
Hagoita (羽子板 ｢はごいた｣) are the wooden paddles used to hit shuttlecocks (羽子 pronounced hago ｢はご｣ or hane ｢はね｣), traditionally made of soapberry seeds and bird feathers, that are used to play the traditional Japanese pastime called hanetsuki during the New Year.
What was hagoita originally used for?
It is a well-known event that both strikes up business as well as welcomes the end of the current year. Hagoita were originally used to play a form of Japanese battledore (a forerunner of badminton).
Is hanetsuki still popular?
Although hanetsuki is not as popular as it used to be, decorative hagoita are commonly sold throughout Japan.
When was Hanetsuki created?
The origins of the Japanese tradition of playing hanetsuki with hagoita can be traced back to 14th-century China. The game was brought to Japan during the Muromacho Period (1337-1587). The ancient document “Kanban O-nikki” describes Hanetsuki as played by the Imperial Court.
Where is Hanetsuki played?
Hanetsuki, with a history of 1,300 years, is one of traditional games often played in New Year’s Holidays in Japan, and is a girls’ game or action for good luck where two players bandy a fletched soapberry seed with Hagoita (battledore).
Is a furisode a kimono?
The furisode is a kimono for young women with long sleeves that hang down to the ankles or calves. This type of kimono has its origins in the kosode (“small sleeves”) style of clothing that appeared in the Heian period (794-1185) and later developed into the kimono we are familiar with today.
When was Hanetsuki invented?
Where do you wear furisode?
Furisode are a type of kimono that have long hanging sleeves in the forearm. They are only worn by adult single women as they symbolize availability for marriage.
What is a Japanese furisode?
The furisode is a kimono for young women with long sleeves that hang down to the ankles or calves. History and Designs of FurisodeThe term furisode, literally meaning “swinging sleeves,”refers to kimono with long, flowing sleeves.
What does the Hagoita mean?
The Hagoita is usually rectangular in shape. When playing “Hanetsuki”, since the Hagoita’s movement is similar to the “Harau” action (a Japanese expression meaning “drive away”), it is thought to be effective to drive away evil spirits and is thus often used as a charm against evil.
What are Hagoita paddles?
Hagoita are wooden paddles used to play a Japanese game called hanetsuki, which is similar to shuttlecock or badminton (but is apparently known in English as Battledore). Hagoita are used to hit small feathered shuttles known as hane.
Why do Japanese play Hanetsuki with Hagoita?
Thus playing hanetsuki with hagoita is often used as a charm against evil. Hagoita were introduced into Japan during the Muromachi period (1336-1573) from Ming dynasty China. In the Edo period (1603-1868), oshie-hagoita were designed with images of elegantly made-up kabuki actors ( oshie meaning raised cloth pictures).
What is the Hagoita Fair in Tokyo?
From December 17 to December 19, the yearly hagoita fair attracts thousands of visitors to Asakusa in Tokyo. Brightly colored and artistic, these good luck charms make beautiful gifts or can be used as a unique piece of decor.
