"Hanetsuki," drawn in this picture, is a traditional New Year's game in Japan. Regrettably, these days one hardly sees it, though children used to enjoy it around the streets in the old days. By hitting a shuttlecock made by attaching a soapberry seed to a feather, people mimed driving away mosquitoes and flies which caused epidemics. That is, "hanetsuki" had the meaning of driving out evil.
"Hagoita," a battledore, originally related to court functions, became popular not only as a decoration or a plaything but also as a mascot of good omen. On battledores beautiful pictures were painted such as birds and flowers, glamorous ladies, ships loaded with treasures, the Seven Deities of Good Fortune, and so on. Especially, battledores on which kabuki actors were painted were most popular, like the photographs and posters of the present day. "Hagoita-ichi," a battledore market, began in 17th century and is still held in the bustling precincts of the Sensoji Temple in Asakusa, Tokyo on December 17-19 every year.