Search｜Photos & Images & Videos｜KYODO NEWS IMAGES INC

Traditional Kemari event held at Shimogamo Shrine in Kyoto

KYOTO, Japan - A man in Heian era (eighth to 12th century) aristocratic attire keeps a soccer ball in the air during an traditional annual "Kemari-hajime" event at Shimogamo Shrine in Kyoto on Jan. 4, 2014. The soccer ball was used instead of a traditional ball made of deer skin in tribute to the World Cup soccer tournament in Brazil this year. In Kemari, players continue kicking the mari (ball) in the air to a fixed height as many times as possible.

E

Traditional Kemari event held at Shimogamo Shrine in Kyoto

KYOTO, Japan - People in Heian era (eighth to 12th century) aristocratic attire kick a soccer ball, instead of a traditional ball made of deer skin, in an annual "Kemari-hajime" event at Shimogamo Shrine in Kyoto on Jan. 4, 2014. The soccer ball was used in tribute to the World Cup soccer tournament in Brazil this year. In Kemari, players continue kicking the mari (ball) in the air to a fixed height as many times as possible.

E

Traditional Kemari event held at Shimogamo Shrine in Kyoto

KYOTO, Japan - People in Heian era (eighth to 12th century) aristocratic attire kick a ball made of deer skin in a traditional annual "Kemari-hajime" event at Shimogamo Shrine in Kyoto on Jan. 4, 2014. In Kemari, players continue kicking the mari (ball) in the air to a fixed height as many times as possible.