Kemari is a historical Japanese ball game with a long tradition.
Understanding Kemari
At its heart, Kemari is a ball game characterized by cooperation rather than competition. Unlike many modern sports, it has no winners or losers.
Origins and History
Based on historical accounts, Kemari is said to have come from China to Japan during the Yamato period approximately 1,400 years ago. This makes it a game with deep historical roots in Japanese culture.
Objective of the Game
The main objective of the game being simply to pass the ball to fellow players. Participants gather in a circle and attempt to keep the ball in the air using only their feet, skillfully passing it among themselves without letting it touch the ground.
In summary, Kemari is:
- A traditional Japanese ball game.
- Imported from China around 1,400 years ago (Yamato period).
- Focuses on cooperation and skill.
- Has no competitive element (no winners or losers).
- The goal is to pass the ball to other players.
It is a practice centered on maintaining the ball aloft through collaborative effort and individual dexterity, representing a cultural practice rather than a contest.
