Sports in Japan

Watching and participating in various sports are popular
activities in Japan enjoyed by people of all ages and walks of life. The origin
of sports in Japan dates back to the twelfth century, when military nobility
known as samurai introduced events such as kendo, (Japanese stick fencing) kyudo,
(archery) and jujustu, ( judo) to the populous. These athletic games were
eventually established as martial arts in the Edo period (1600-1868), with the
focus on mastering the mental aspects of each activity in hopes of elevating the
participant to a nobler, more transcendent level. These sports have been passed
down from generation to generation, and still continue to flourish today. Sumo,
which also maintains a long history as a traditional martial art, originated
approximately 2,000 years ago from a ceremonial dance used to entertain the
Shinto gods, and is considered Japan's national sport. Even today the event
includes ritualistic elements derived from the Shinto religion, such as tossing
salt to the ground at the start of each match as a means of symbolic
purification. The rules of sumo are quite basic. Two wrestlers called rikishi
face off in a circular ring called a dohyo, and the wrestler who first touches
the floor with any body part other than the soles of his feet, or is pushed out
of the ring by his opponent loses. The fight itself is usually over within
seconds, but on rare occasions can last up to a minute or longer. Six
tournaments are held throughout the year, each one lasting 15 days.

Western sports were eventually introduced to Japan with the arrival of the Meiji
Restoration, including baseball in 1872. Baseball has since evolved into one of
the country's most popular spectator sports, with thousands of enthusiastic fans
attending professional games held each season in stadiums found in all major
cities throughout the country. Games are also broadcast live on television
several times a week, featuring teams from both leagues, (the Central and
Pacific), which consist of six teams each. The last few years has also seen a
rise in the number of Japanese players who are currently playing successfully in
the American Major Leagues, and whose games are covered extensively through the
media in Japan. University and high school teams are also numerous, and the All
Japan High School Baseball Championship held each summer and televised
nationwide is viewed by millions. Competing with baseball as the nations most
popular sport is soccer, which made it's debut in 1993 with the introduction of
J-League, a professional soccer league consisting of two divisions, J1 and J2.
Soccer had been played by amateurs for many years in Japan, but it's appeal
gained momentum after Japan's national soccer team participated in the world cup
in France for the first time in 1998.



Following closely behind soccer in regard to popularity in Japan is Golf. The
bubble economy boom of the 80's and the affluence which followed brought golf
quickly into the forefront as one of the most popular games in the country.
Enjoyed in the past by only a privileged few, it soon grew in favor among the
average "salary man", who used it as a means of extending his business network
by playing a round or two on Sunday with potential clients. Memberships in
prestigious clubs at the time were in such demand that they cost anywhere from
100 to 400 million yen, and were sought after by large companies who were hoping
to establish themselves in the ranks of those who were often closing more deals
on the golf course than in the conference room. Because of the increase in the
number of players and limited space available, the prospect of playing golf for
the average person in Japan is still an expensive one, the price averaging
between 20,000 yen and up for 18 holes, with caddy fees and lunch usually not
included. Another consideration when figuring the cost of playing golf in Japan
is that of "hole in one insurance". Those who are fortunate (or unfortunate
enough) to sink the elusive "hole in one" celebrate the event by paying for all
fellow member's fees that day, as well as bestowing expensive gifts on those
present. Consequently insurance was made available to purchase to cover the
residual expense for those skillful enough to make this difficult shot.



As well as enjoying golf, baseball, and soccer, the Japanese due to an increase
in free time available in recent years are now participating more than ever
before in an array of sport related activities including jogging, weight
training, long distant running, calisthenics, aerobics, jazz dancing, softball,
swimming, badminton, volleyball, cycling, tennis, table tennis, billiards, and
bowling. High risk sports such as scuba diving, hang gliding, and horseback
riding are also gaining popularity.

 

Japanese Karaoke

Pass any number of local clubs or bars on any given night in Japan, and you
will no doubt hear the off key refrain of people participating in one of the
countries all time favorite activities: karaoke. Although there are
conflicting reports on how this popular form of recreation came about, most
people agree that it most likely began in Kobe in the early 1970's, when a
popular singer by the name of Daisuke Inoue introduced the concept after being
asked frequently by guests to provide a recording of his performances they
could sing along with on company sponsored vacations. Realizing the potential,
Inoue developed a karaoke machine that played background music of his most
popular songs for the price of 100 yen. Originally regarded as a fad which
lacked the atmosphere of a live performance, Inoue leased his machines to
stores instead of selling them outright. As the form of entertainment
gradually became more popular, karaoke machines were eventually placed in
restaurants and hotel rooms. Unfortunately Inoue never bothered to patent his
invention, and lost his chance at becoming one of Japan's richest men when
Roberto del Rosario, a Filipino inventor, secured the patent in 1983 for his
sing along system referred to as Minus-One. The first karaoke machines on the
market used cassette tapes, which were later replaced with CD's, VCD's,
Laserdiscs, and currently DVDs.

The most well known venue for Karaoke in Japan to date are known as
“karaoke boxes”, small or medium sized sound proof rooms equipped with
microphones and a video karaoke machine which can be rented by the hour,
providing a more intimate atmosphere for a couple or group seeking privacy.
Rooms vary in size and style, with seats usually placed along the sides with a
table in the middle that can be used for placing food and drinks ordered by
phone to the staff located in the main reception area. The massive songbook
provided for each room offers a wide range of tunes, the majority of them in
Japanese. There are also many British and American songs available as well
including the Beatles, which are always a favorite among the Japanese. Singing within
the group can sometimes take on a competitive edge, with some karaoke machines
rating your performance based on how closely you resemble the original tune.
Another popular but more expensive alternative to the karaoke box is the
Karaoke Bar, which is often a favorite night spot for Japanese businessmen who drop
in after work with colleagues to have a drink and to enjoy singing songs to
the accompaniment of a karaoke machine.

The Bicycle in Japan

One of the first things that foreigners arriving in Japan are often surprised
by are the vast number of bicycles that can be seen careening through the city
streets and sidewalks. Almost everyone, from grandmothers to well dressed
businessmen on their way to the office use a “jitensha” ( bicycle) as a form
of mainstream transportation. Whether employed for picking up the children
from preschool, pedaling to the nearest train station, or commuting to work or
university, the bicycle has become an integral part of Japanese society. Even
the police, who can often be seen making nightly rounds on bicycles, prefer
them in regard to navigating the narrow network of streets that comprise most
Japanese cities and towns. The two wheelers are indeed everywhere, and to such
an extent that huge parking areas near most shopping centers and railway
stations are dedicated solely to accommodating bicycles.  

Despite their convenience and appeal as a cheap form of transportation,
they are also a major annoyance and possible physical threat to those riders
and pedestrians who fail to learn the rules of the road. Those rules being: that
there are no rules of the road. In theory bicycles by law are to be ridden
only on city streets and not sidewalks, except when signs indicate otherwise.
In reality however this regulation is entirely ignored by everyone. More times
than I care to remember I've found myself jumping out of the way of some over
zealous cyclist who decided the path of least resistance would be to run
directly over me. Or felt the sudden swoosh of air touch my arm as a crazed
biker appearing out of nowhere like some invisible phantom in the night sped
manically by from behind as I leisurely sauntered home.  

In spite of these pitfalls the bicycle in Japan for better or worse is here
to stay, and as the saying goes, “if you can't beat em join em”. For those of
you who are considering purchasing one upon arriving you'll be pleased to know
they're quite inexpensive, the average cost running around 10,000 yen , and
used bicycles are available for even less. The most common bicycles for
everyday use are typically one speed models with steel frames which include a
kickstand, generator lights, fenders, caliper front brake and disk rear brake,
and a steel mesh basket which is attached to the handle bars for carrying
groceries and other items.