2 Vintage Hagoita Geisha Japanese w/stand Hand Painted Paddle Silk Kimono 3D

Each fan is 7.5", not on the stand. These are unique and from Japan from 30 years or more ago. See pictures for condition and marking. People of ancient times knew that various diseases can be contracted from mosquitoes, and that dragonflies eat mosquitoes. In the game of Hanetsuki, a shuttlecock would fly through the air like a dragonfly as it was hit by paddles. So, people started to play Hanetsuki during the New Year season to wish that their children would not be bitten by mosquitoes. Also, the hard, black seed of the soapberry plant is often used to make the shuttlecock, as it makes a pleasant clacking sound when hit by a wooden paddle. The Japanese characters for soapberry, "Mukuroji" (無患子) mean "No-Disease-Child." So, you can see that the the Hagoita paddle has an important meaning as a decorative ornament to celebrate the first New Year of a newborn girl and to wish for the healthy growth of the child in addition to its use as equipment in the game of Hanetsuki. Questions? Leave a comment below!