Tanzan Shrine, Nara

An elegant ball game that was popular among people of the court in early Japanese history takes place at the ancient Tanzan-jinja. Mountains in fresh spring verdure provide the perfect setting for this traditional event called kemari. Wearing beautiful kimono, performers kick and pass the ball gracefully. Legend has it that Prince Nakano Oe first met his vassal Kamatari Fujiwara at a kemari game in the 7th century. To commemorate this historical event, Tanzan-jinja, the shrine that houses the deity Kamatari Fujiwara, hosts the ancient ball game biannually in spring and autumn.