More than 300 “hagoita” decorative wooden paddles bearing images of celebrities are on display in Tokyo.
A doll wholesaler in Taito Ward has been making the battledore paddles featuring persons of the year since 1986, and releasing them at year’s end.
To mark the 40th anniversary, a collection of past products is being exhibited at the wholesaler’s main store.
The first batch of paddles produced in the very first year includes one bearing the smiling face of Britain’s late Princess Diana. She enchanted Japan through her first visit that year.
One created in 1993 features the Japanese Imperial couple who married that year. The tiara and necklace of then Princess Masako are portrayed in fine detail.
Japanese baseball superstar Ohtani Shohei of the Los Angeles Dodgers is depicted on a paddle produced in 2024. He set the 50 homerun and 50 stolen-base US Major League record that year.
A couple in their 60s from Chiba Prefecture said all the people depicted are memorable and their images are realistic.
The exhibition runs through November 30.
AloJapan.com