Medieval court game 'kemari' played

Medieval court game 'kemari' played

KYOTO, Japan - People in traditional Japanese costumes play ''kemari'' in a reenactment of the traditional ball game at Shimogamo Shrine in Kyoto on Jan. 4. Kemari attained wide popularity among court nobles during the Nara (710-794), Heian (794-1185) and Kamakura (1185-1333) periods. People wearing leather shoes form a circle and kick a deerskin ball about 24 centimeters in diameter, trying to keep it from hitting the ground.

Medieval court game 'kemari' played

Medieval court game 'kemari' played

KYOTO, Japan - People in traditional Japanese costumes play ''kemari'' in a reproduction of the traditional ball game at Shimogamo Shrine in Kyoto on Jan. 4. Kemari attained wide popularity among court nobles during the Nara (710-794), Heian (794-1185) and Kamakura (1185-1333) periods. People wearing leather shoes form a circle and kick a deerskin ball about 24 centimeters in diameter trying to keep it from falling to the ground.

Medieval court game reproduced

Medieval court game reproduced

KYOTO, Japan - Three men play kemari in a reproduction of the traditional ball game at Shimogamo Shrine in Kyoto on Jan. 4. Kemari attained wide popularity among court nobles during the Nara (710-794), Heian (794-1185) and Kamakura (1185-1333) periods. People form a circle and kick a deerskin ball to prevent it from falling to the ground.

Medieval court game 'kemari' played

Medieval court game 'kemari' played

KYOTO, Japan - People in traditional Japanese costumes play ''kemari'' in a reproduction of the traditional ball game at Shimogamo Shrine in Kyoto on Jan. 4. Kemari attained wide popularity among court nobles during the Nara (710-794), Heian (794-1185) and Kamakura (1185-1333) periods. People wearing leather shoes form a circle and kick a deerskin ball about 24 centimeters in diameter trying to keep it from falling to the ground. (Kyodo)

U.S. envoy Kennedy at Buddhist art exhibition opening ceremony

U.S. envoy Kennedy at Buddhist art exhibition opening ceremony

U.S. Ambassador to Japan Caroline Kennedy, dressed in a kimono, makes a speech at the opening ceremony for an exhibition of Buddha statues from Japan's Kamakura period (1185-1333) in New York on Feb. 11, 2016. About 30 sculptures will be on display at the Asia Society Museum through May 8. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

U.S. envoy Kennedy at Buddhist art exhibition opening ceremony

U.S. envoy Kennedy at Buddhist art exhibition opening ceremony

U.S. Ambassador to Japan Caroline Kennedy (R), dressed in a kimono, poses for a photo before cracking open a barrel of sake during the opening ceremony for an exhibition of Buddha statues from Japan's Kamakura period (1185-1333) in New York on Feb. 11, 2016. About 30 sculptures will be on display at the Asia Society Museum through May 8. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Medieval court game 'kemari' played

Medieval court game 'kemari' played

KYOTO, Japan - People in traditional Japanese costumes play ''kemari'' in a reenactment of the traditional ball game at Shimogamo Shrine in Kyoto on Jan. 4. Kemari attained wide popularity among court nobles during the Nara (710-794), Heian (794-1185) and Kamakura (1185-1333) periods. People wearing leather shoes form a circle and kick a deerskin ball about 24 centimeters in diameter, trying to keep it from hitting the ground. (Kyodo)

Medieval court game reproduced

Medieval court game reproduced

KYOTO, Japan - Three men play kemari in a reproduction of the traditional ball game at Shimogamo Shrine in Kyoto on Jan. 4. Kemari attained wide popularity among court nobles during the Nara (710-794), Heian (794-1185) and Kamakura (1185-1333) periods. People form a circle and kick a deerskin ball to prevent it from falling to the ground.