The Kyoto Shimbun
  • Home
  • Sightseeing/Events
  • News
  • Graceful "Kemari Hajime"
    Visitors Enchanted at Shimogamo Shrine

    4 January 2013 - Sightseeing/Events
    Amid the snow, preservation group members gracefully kick the "Mari" ball (January 4, Shimogamo Shrine, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto)

    Amid the snow, preservation group members gracefully kick the "Mari" ball (January 4, Shimogamo Shrine, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto)

    The annual New Year ritual "Kemari Hajime," or the first "Mari" ball kicking game of the year, took place on January 4 at Shimogamo Shrine in Sakyo Ward, Kyoto. As snow occasionally whirled through the air, the Kemari players dressed in colorful traditional court costumes kicked the ball gracefully and fascinated visitors.

    Kemari was introduced to Japan in the Asuka Period and was popular among noblemen in the Heian Period. Although Kemari declined after the Meiji Restoration, the Kemari preservation group "Shukiku Hozonkai" was established in 1903 to preserve the tradition.

    After a Shinto rite, the Kemari performance started around 2:00 p.m. The Kemari court, with green bamboo set on the four corners, was set up in front of the shrine's main sanctuary. Fifteen members of the preservation group, who were attired in Kemari costumes of "Suikan" jackets and "Eboshi" caps, played three Kemari games, kicking the deer-skin ball in groups of eight. As the players kicked the ball high with shouts of "Ari," "Ya" and "Oh," spectators surrounding the "Kemari Hajime" performance applauded loudly.

    Toshihiko Oka, a coach for Kobe Football Club who came to watch the event, said, "I came here for the first time to learn the origin of kicking balls. I was impressed with how the players assist each other, unlike a competitive game."

    (translated by Galileo, Inc.)
  • Also in Sightseeing/Events:

    Kyoto Ranked World's Most Popular City for First Time
    Tokyo, Last Year's Top, Falls to Sixth
    22 January 2021

    Relic of "Great Ruler Mitsuhide"
    Fukuchiyama Castle
    22 January 2021

    Through a Russet Tunnel
    Row of Metasequoia Trees Undamaged from Typhoons
    22 January 2021

    Kiyomizu-dera Temple's Renewed Terrace
    Gorgeous Ceremony for Completed Renovation, including Main Hall Roof
    22 January 2021

    Bonfires Drastically Scaled-Back This Summer
    Seen as Points of Flame from Kyoto City; COVID-19 Countermeasures
    12 August 2020

News Archive
  • January 2021
  • August 2020
  • April 2020
  • March 2020
  • February 2020
  • January 2020
  • More...
Categories
  • Sightseeing/Events
  • Temples/Shrines
  • Tradition/Culture
  • Local topics
  • Education/University
  • Business/Company
  • Traffic
  • Gourmet
  • 1min Kyoto
  • Kyoto
  • Shiga
Web site
Introducing Privacy Policy Japanese Site
Copyright © 1995-2021 The Kyoto Shimbun Co., Ltd. All rights reserved.
We use cookies for a number of reasons, such as keeping our websites reliable and secure, providing social media features and to analyze the performance of ads. Accept & continue Read More
Privacy Policy