Pop Japan

A traditional Japanese game, Hanetsuki, is played with the use of a wooden paddle, called hagoita, and a shuttle called hane. The game is closely resembling badminton but it is played without a net.

This game is often played by girls during the new year but it can also be played by any gender in two ways: one is to keep the hane aloft for as long as possible, and two, is to have two people bat it back and forth.

In recent times, the popularity of Hanetsuki has declined but the beautifully ornamented hagoita remains to be a popular collector's item.

During the middle of December, the Hagoita-ichi or the Hagoita Market is held at the Sensoji Temple in Asakusa, Tokyo, in which fruitful ornamented wooden paddles are being sold. It comes in different sizes but most usually features portraits of kabuki actors and beautiful Edo ladies.

Tags: hanetsuki, edo, hane, hagoita, badminton, hagoita ichi, hagoita market, sensoji temple, asakusa, tokyo