Offered are a pair of post war Japanese Kabuki paddles circa 1960, featuring a male and female Kabuki character actors in full traditional Japanese regalia with weapon mounts in hand. Material is fabric (probably cotton) on wood with hand painted floral themes to the reverse side (see images); handles are wrapped in felt. The paddles are in excellent and all original condition, and would have been used to play Hanetsuki. This was a traditional Japanese game played at the New Year and would have entailed using these elaborate three dimensional paddles, called Hagoita, to smash and bat away shuttlecocks or “hanes” (brightly colored round balls) to ward off evil spirits. The custom dates back to the early 17th century Edo period in Japan.
The paddles are intricately and well made; hand crafted with much attention to detail. Unique to find in this larger size and quality, and to find as a pair, especially as a couple. Also hard to find with a pair of “hanes” (shuttlecocks) which are included with the pair of paddles.
Dimensions:
Female character is: 24″ high x 9″ wide (tapers down to the handle) x 3″ deep
male character is 21″ high x 7 3/4″ wide (tapers down to the handle) x 2 1/2″ deep
Provenance: Acquired recently from a San Francisco estate