A wooden paddle decorated with textile and paper applications in the shape of a geisha and a monk with a fish. The back of the paddle with painted bamboo and flowers. Length c. 47 cm. Creme coloured silk textile with woven flower pattern c. 125 x 73 cm. Red silk textile with woven gold pattern c. 100 x 99 cm.
Wear. Sold as is.
From the Collection of Ebba-Stina Kiku Gadelius (1916-2022), thence by descent.
The foundation of the collection was laid by her father Knut Gadelius (1864-1932), who founded the Gadelius company.
Ebba was the third child of Knut Gadelius, she was born in Tokyo and grew up in Japan. She herself had a career as an artist and textile designer both in the USA and France and her design and art was strongly influcenced by her early years in Japan.
Hagoita is the paddles used for playing hanetsuki during New Year and is considered to drive away evil spirits. The hagoita was introduced during the Muromachi period (1392-1573) and the current shape of the paddles evolved during the Edo period (1603-1868) with padded applications in the shape of kabuki actors. The hagoita has since then become a popular collectable and is also made as souvernirs.