On January 4, 2024, the New Year's annual ''Kemari Hajime'' was held at Shimogamo Shrine in Sakyo Ward, Kyoto City. In the sunny precincts of the shrine, ''mariashi'' dressed in colorful costumes gracefully kicked up their balls, entertaining the eyes of the large number of worshipers.
Kemari was introduced during the Asuka period and is said to have become popular as a sport for the aristocracy. There are etiquette rules such as using only the right leg and not bending the knee. The Shukiku Preservation Society (Kamigyo Ward) has been dedicating it to the shrine every year since the 1950s.
Eight people wearing mari costumes such as suikan and hakama entered the mari garden set up in front of the main shrine, and while shouting "ari", "yaa", and "o", they wore mari shoes made of deerskin. kicked each other. The worshipers watched the ball go, and each time it was kicked back, they shouted "Oh!" and applauded.
The highest temperature in Kyoto City on January 4th was 12.3 degrees (as of 2:16 p.m.), making it less cold. Because it rained in the morning, the ball garden was covered with gravel to prevent the balls from getting wet during the first kemari game, which started at 2 p.m.
