TOKYO – Around 300 traditional “hagoita” battledores were put on display in a Tokyo exhibit from Saturday, with the paddles bearing images of prominent figures, including Princess Diana and Japanese baseball star Shohei Ohtani.
Kyugetsu Co., a Tokyo-based traditional doll maker, showcased the decorative paddles it has unveiled annually since 1986. The 40th lineup of battledores featuring the year’s newsmakers is scheduled to be announced next month.
According to Kyugetsu, the battledores featured a total of 368 personalities, with Japanese baseball legend Shigeo Nagashima, the Giants’ late former star player and manager, appearing six times, the most of any figure.
Two-way Los Angeles Dodgers star Ohtani and former New York Yankees outfielder Hideki Matsui trailed behind, each appearing five times. The late Steve Jobs, co-founder of Apple Inc., was also among those featured.
Hisatoshi Yokoyama, president of Kyugetsu, said he hopes that the hagoita battledores, being good luck charms, would uplift the spirits of people who see them.
In Japan, a hagoita is a wooden paddle originally used for “hanetsuki,” a traditional game played during the New Year. It has since evolved into a decorative New Year item symbolizing good health, protection from evil and the removal of bad luck.
AloJapan.com