battledore (early form of badminton racket)(Hagoita)
Originating as a New Year’s game and a tool to ward off bad luck at court, it gradually became one of the New Year’s decorations. Especially on the first New Year’s day of girls, the custom of presenting a beautiful feather board as a gift to ward off bad luck and to wish for their healthy growth was born. In the Edo period (1603-1867), however, the decoration of Hagoita became more colorful, and there was an increase in the number of variations from courtly events, such as the first sunrise of the New Year, cranes and turtles, treasure hunters, flowers and birds, and other auspicious and beautiful objects. In addition, oshie (three-dimensional pictures made of Japanese paper or cloth) depicting flowers, birds, Kabuki, Noh, and kyogen (Noh plays) became popular.
