A Stage Carved Into Silk and Wood

Dec 12, 2025

「EP.97」江戸押絵羽子板

EDO OSHIE HAGOITA
Tokyo

「transcript」

The game of hanetsuki (羽根つき) has long symbolized protection from illness, representing the act of striking away misfortune. By the 17th century, families began gifting decorated hagoita to celebrate a baby girl’s first New Year, carrying wishes for her healthy growth.

Later, as kabuki and ukiyo-e flourished, the hagoita evolved. Artisans began crafting yakusha hagoita (役者羽子板) which features popular kabuki actors in full costume, turning each paddle into a miniature stage.

Creating an Edo Oshie Hagoita is meticulous work. Artisans cut paper forms, wrap them with cotton and silk, and build layered depth. Mastering the amount of cotton is essential: too much makes the piece stiff, too little flattens the design. The most delicate step is the face. A specialized craftsperson called a mensōshi (面相師) paints the features with precise, expressive strokes. One brushstroke can change the entire character.

Today, the craft thrives at the annual Hagoita Market at Senso-ji, where paddles depicting kabuki icons, elegant beauties, and modern motifs fill the temple grounds. Families continue to display hagoita for a daughter’s first New Year, and collectors prize them as sculptural works.

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