Kemari Game at Gosho 1

Gosho is the Imperial Palace of Kyoto, Japan, where the emperor used to live. Here, we see a group of men (and a woman) playing Kemari, a game they used to play in the Heian Era.

Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• Kemari
• Japan
• Kyoto
• Gosho
• Heian

[RoninDave]

very cool! Little historical tidbit - a coup against the powerful Soga family was started at a kemari match in the mid-7th century.

When was this exactly? Do they do this every year at that time? I know they do kemari around the New Year but I don't know of other times.

[tangosaltat]

I remember this was some time in April. Apparently Gosho only opens up once a year to the Japanese public, but if you're foreign, you can request a visit at any time.

[BonifacioRagaz]

This is nuts. Is it so full of people just because it is being played at Gosho or is the game kind of popular? Seems fun. Is it viewed as a game or as a sport?

[tangosaltat]

It's a pretty old game and no one really plays it anymore. This is more like a demonstration of what the Heian Era nobles played during their free time, so that's why there are so many people curious about what's going on.

[heidirh]

Thanks for the interesting video :) Do you know why, in this video, when the ball drops to the ground & one of the players picks it up, the player hits it with his open hand as if he's "punishing" the ball for falling (or something)?

[monstermorrill]

its japanese hacky sack =0....the only difference is street rats play in in the U.S., nobles use to play in in Japan =/

[crs3yo]

COOL