Tags: hagoita
The Hagoita Fair
By Muza-chan on Dec 17, 2009 | In Japan travel | 9 feedbacks »
The Winter Holidays are coming, with Christmas trees, traditional food, Christmas carols and New Year traditions.
I have a lot of interesting things to share with you during this time of year, about the Japanese customs and traditions, some kept from the old times, some “imported” more recently, some well known, some less so.
If you’re interested in Japan, I’m inviting you to spend the holidays together, with a Japanese touch. ![]()
An event related to the New Year started today, and taking place until December 19th at the Senso-ji Temple in Asakusa is the Hagoita Fair, Hagoita-Ichi ( 羽子板市 ).

Hagoita is a rectangular wooden paddle, used to play a traditional Japanese game, Hanetsuki, something similar to a badminton game without the net.
Hanetsuki was traditionally played by girls at the New Year. A stripe of black ink was drawn on the face of the girl missing a hit and the play continued until one player’s face was completely painted in ink. Sounds like fun! ![]()
The Hagoita used in games were traditionally decorated with drawings representing famous Kabuki players, Kabuki characters or Sumo fighters.
Even if today Hanetsuki is not played often anymore, the Hagoita-Ichi is still very popular, at the event participating approx. 300,000 visitors every year.
However, the Hagoita sold at the fair are not for play, they are for ornamenting or are used as good-luck charms.
These Hagoita are richly decorated with washi and textile materials.
Recently, more modern-fashioned characters appeared on Hagoita, like singers, sport stars, movie stars or even anime characters.

The prices vary from tens of dollars (like the one pictured here, which I bought from Meiji Jingu) to several hundred dollars, depending on size and the complexity of the artwork.
In conclusion, let’s watch a nice recording from Hagoita-Ichi:












From Genghis Khan to Kamikaze
A Japan Photo per Day - Rainy Day at Gokokusan Tenno-ji
A Japan Photo per Day - Rainy Day at Gokokusan Tenno-ji
A Japan Photo per Day - Rainy Day at Gokokusan Tenno-ji
A Japan Photo per Day - Rainy Day at Gokokusan Tenno-ji
A Japan Photo per Day - Rainy Day at Gokokusan Tenno-ji
A Japan Photo per Day - Rainy Day at Gokokusan Tenno-ji
A Japan Photo per Day - Rainy Day at Gokokusan Tenno-ji
A Japan Photo per Day - Rainy Day at Gokokusan Tenno-ji
A Japan Photo per Day - Rainy Day at Gokokusan Tenno-ji
Did you know... The Oldest Structure in Sumida, Tokyo
A Japan Photo per Day - Rainy Day at Gokokusan Tenno-ji
A Japan Photo per Day - Rainy Day at Gokokusan Tenno-ji
A Japan Photo per Day - Rainy Day at Gokokusan Tenno-ji
A Japan Photo per Day - Rainy Day at Gokokusan Tenno-ji