Hanetsuki(battledore and shuttlecock) began in the Muromachi period(about 1340~1550). According to the pictures which depicts Hanetsuki of the Momoyama period(around 1600), the branches of plum trees or Sagicho(The ceremony of  New Year Day's exorcism in the Imperial court) were drawn on the Hagoita. When the Hagoita started to bear paddled pictures of the figures of Kabuki actors in the latter part of the Edo period, it became much more gorgeous and became popular among commoners. The reason for displaying Hagoita during the New Year's Days and for presenting a Hagoita to the newly born baby girl today is to dispel ill sprits so that she will grow up healthy.