Caricatures of California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and New York Yankees outfielder Hideki Matsui are some of the faces that adorn decorative "hagoita" battledores at an annual exhibition of the traditional paddles that began Wednesday in Tokyo.
The ornamental battledores feature caricatures of popular kabuki actors and individuals who have made headlines during the year.
Tokyo-based display doll maker Kyugetsu Inc. is holding the exhibition, which is open to the public at its main store in Taito Ward through Sunday.
Decorative battledores are traditionally given as gifts upon the birth of a girl as symbols of hope that the child will grow up healthy.
Other faces appearing on the battledores include lawmaker Naoto Kan, leader of the Democratic Party of Japan, which made big gains in last month's House of Representatives election, and Senichi Hoshino, who managed the Hanshin Tigers baseball team to its first Central League pennant win in 18 years. Hoshino stepped down as manager after his team lost in the Japan Series to the Fukuoka Daiei Hawks of the Pacific League.
