Good luck charms for the New Year, Renjishi Hagoita

Started from the idea that you can "hit the bad luck" hagoita, the wooden paddles used for an old game similar to badminton, have become, with time, popular good luck charms.

These sophisticated objects are still called hagoita, but they are now embellished by 3D models made of Japanese paper, silk, wood and metal, representing a large variety of characters such as kabuki actors, geisha, sumo wrestlers, characters from stories or theater plays.

In today's photo, the large hagoita in the middle represents two Kabiki characters, shishi, mythological lion-like animals from the Renjishi - "Lion Dance" play.