My mom (nisei) was born in Washington State to Japanese immigrant parents in 1929. They were very poor growing up, but she said she never felt poor at the time. She and her sisters would play in the watermelon patches and fields. And they'd play with their hagoita paddles and shuttlecock, much like badminton. When she showed this one to me, I thought how beautiful and so well crafted for a child's toy. But the real beauty is the dimpled pock marks created so many years ago from playing the game. Wabi-sabi. I love the Japanese idea that beauty and craftsmanship go hand in hand with function. And that everyday objects should always have those qualities. 

– Jana NY

Relationship:  Grandchild of im/migrant Grandchild of im/migrant