n 14th century China, there was a game in which players would kick a feather with a coin attached to it. It is believed that this game was brought to Japan in the Muromachi period (1337-1587) and became the game of "Hanetsuki", in which players use wooden paddles to hit a shuttlecock. An ancient document called "Kanban O-nikki" from the Muromachi preiod describes Hanetsuki being played within the Imperial Court. It mentions nobles and ladies of the Imperial Court playing the game, with the losing team made to treat sake to everyone. Hagoita, which are the wooden paddles used in the game, took on an additional meaning from the Sengoku Period (or Warring States period from mid-15th to early 17th century) when it was believed that the paddles have the power to repel evil spirits. In the Edo Period (1603-1868), people gave Hagoitas at year-end as gifts to wish for good fortune in the coming year. The custom of giving Hagoita as a gift to a newborn girl in the first New Year after her birth still exists today. During the golden age of the Edo Period ("Genroku Bunka"), decorative Hagoitas with portraits of Kabuki actors (called "Yakusha-e") appeared in addition to the traditional designs of sunrise, Seven Lucky Gods and pine-bamboo-plum representing good fortune. Techniques used in traditional "Nishiki-e" (color woodblock printing) were used to paste designs onto the Hagoita. This "Hari-e Hagoita" eventually became Oshie Hagoita with raised designs. Oshie Hagoita with portraits of famous Kabuki actors were very popular in the Edo Period. The Meiji Period (1868-1912) saw the arrival of the golden age of Kabuki, with the rise of famous stars including Ichikawa Danjuro IX, Ichikawa Sadanji I and Onoe Kikugoro V. Oshie and Oshie Hagoita matured as a craft of the Tokyo area during this time.

• published: 16 Sep 2014
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