Kemari players kick off New Year in timeless styleーNHK WORLD-JAPAN NEWS #shorts

Players in vibrant traditional attire revived the ancient ball game of “kemari” as part of a New Year ritual at Kyoto’s Shimogamo Shrine. This Shinto shrine, recognized as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site, hosts the event every year on January 4, keeping alive a tradition that dates back to the Heian period (late 8th to 12th century). Once a favorite pastime of Japanese noblemen, kemari focuses on grace and teamwork rather than competition. Eight players take turns kicking a lightweight deerskin ball—20 centimeters in diameter and weighing about 150 grams—while rhythmically chanting “ari” or “ya” to maintain focus and flow. The crowd cheered each time the players skillfully kept the ball aloft.#japan #kyoto #history #traditional #shrine #unesco