East Asian Sports and Philosophy Quiz

Ancient China

• Civilisation developed due to rice farming
• Social pyramid: Emperor (absolute ruler) at the top, followed by military aristocracy, nobility (imperial family), and mandarins (officials).
• Complex society with elements of patriarchal, slave, and feudal systems
• Monosyllabic and vertical language
• Inventions: paper, gunpowder, porcelain, silk, compass, crossbow
• Religions: Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism

Chinese Dynasties

• Springs and Falls (770-480 BCE)
• Shang Dynasty (1766-1122 BCE)
• Zhou Dynasty (1122-221 BCE)
• Qin Dynasty (221-206 BCE)
• Three Kingdoms (220-581 CE)
• Sui Dynasty (581-648)
• Tang Dynasty (618-907)
• Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms
• Song Dynasty (960-1279)
• Yuan Dynasty (1279-13368)
• Ming Dynasty (1368-1677)
• Qing Dynasty (1646-1911)

Traditional Chinese Sport

• Chinese physical culture traditionally fluctuated between activities aimed at peace and harmony and competitive activities.
• Foundations of Chinese sport systems are inspired by physical education methods such as Kung-Fu, Hua-To System, and Siao-Lao System.

Physical Education Methods

• Kung-Fu: Originated in 527 BC. Indian traveler Bodhidharma taught 18 gymnastic exercises. Led to 24 fighting movements. Possibly had prior knowledge of martial arts.
• Hua-Tuo System: Created by Hua-Tuo (145-208 AD). Based on Kung-Fu and the movements of five animals (tiger, deer, bear, monkey, crane). Aims to stimulate circulation, strengthen health, and awaken the appetite.
• Siao-Lao System: Aimed at the elderly, travelers, and the weak. Included massage as a main activity. Had an important medicinal component.

Physical Education in China

• From the 1st century BC, physical education emerged as an integral education combining intellectual and physical development.
• Objectives: developing full human potential and transmitting Chinese cultural traditions to the young, as well as instilling obedience to the law.
• Physical-sports tests (archery, weightlifting, horse riding) compulsory to obtain the scholar certificate in Philosophy

Main Traditional Sports in China

• Chuiwan: A team game played since at least 1050 AD. Players hit a ball into holes. The winner had the fewest strokes. 10-20 meters apart. Wood and bamboo clubs, and wood or ox-horn balls. Women could participate.
• Jiju (Chinese Polo): Persian influence. Military and aristocratic elites participated. Nominating generals and ministers depended on Jiju skills. The emperor could not start the game without scoring.

Combat Sports

• Chinese Boxing (Sanda): A fighting modality derived from Kung-Fu; uses high-speed kicks and punches to quickly disable the opponent.
• Wrestling (Kich-Li): First recorded combats since 1125 BC. Emphasizes takedowns, holds, and ground control.

Other Sporting Activities

• Bingxi: Ice skating. Popular in Northern China since 7th Century AD.
• Go: Board game (2500+ yrs). 19x19 board with black and white pieces. The aim is to control more than half the board

Classic Japan

• Historical Introduction: From 660 BC (Nara period) to the 19th Century (Mikado). Japan divided into regions with Daimyo (lords) and was based on samurai/warriors (Shogunate). 170+ Daimyo existed. Japan largely isolated, except for a few groups of foreigners. Significant change with Commodore Perry and the Meiji Revolution (1868-1912). This ushered in significant Western reforms and industrialization affecting traditional Japanese sports

Samurai

• Japanese warrior class. Vassalage to a Daimyo or feudal lord. Recruited in youth and trained in castles. Code of conduct (Bushido) regulated duties and obligations.
  • Elitism: Samurai seen as an elite class superior to others.
  • Loyalty: Obliged to serve the lord.
  • Zen Buddhism: Practiced to achieve spiritual balance and discipline
  • Seppuku/Harakiri: Ritual suicide for failure

Samurai Weaponry

• Armor: Textile material reinforced with iron or wood (up to 30kg). Masks for protecting the face were sometimes worn.
• Katana: Curved steel sword (up to 90 cm, 1 kg). Constantly worn.
• Yumi (bow): Bamboo bow with various sizes (80 cm - 2+ meters). Asymmetrical shape.
• Nanigata (spear): Curved spear up to 3 meters, with curved steel spear tip and wood / bamboo shaft, used for cavalry.
• Yari (spear): Similar to the Nanigata, but potentially used with a straighter blade.

Samurai Training (Archery and Combat)

• Kyudo: Japanese art of archery (yumi bow). Strict order emphasized and 1000 arrows a day were shot during samurai training.
• Yabusame: Horseback archery. Shooting at three targets while galloping. Practiced to enhance equestrian skills
• Kendo: Martial art of the katana. Practiced with a hollow bamboo sword. Focus on calmness, restraint, and moment recognition to avoid injury.

Traditional Japanese Sports

• Jiu-Jitsu: "Gentle art" that relied on agility to defeat opponents through counter-attacks, chokes, or strikes. Military and some Samurai training. Became the base for many later martial arts.
• Judo: Martial art developed by Jigoro Kano (1882). Grappling, takedowns, locks, and chokes. Avoids injury while emphasizing beauty and plasticity. Educational character. Based on respect for rules and opponent. System of colored belts to organize levels.
• Sumo: Japanese national sport and cultural symbol. Dating back to 7th century AD, possibly part of agricultural rituals. Wrestlers (rikishi) have 9 years of training in a stable (training centers). Purpose of fights was to knock opponents out of the fighting ring, or to submit the opponent to a single takedown. Wrestlers subject to a strict lifestyle regime.
• Kemari: Ball game involving 6-12 players in a circle passing a ball with their feet and to prevent it from falling to the ground. Requires skill, and balance, and good footwork. Abstraction, relaxation.

General Remarks

• Early India education didn't primarily include physical training as a core element of the educational program.
• Dance was the earliest physical and sporting activity in India associated with religious rituals.

General Remarks India (cont.)

• Many early Indian sports were developed as paths to achieving health, hygiene, and delaying old age.
• Indian sports are not notable for the preeminence of rhythm and choreographic elements.
• Some aspects of sports and competitions developed as skills related to certain functions/roles in society (e.g., cattle breeders).

Yoga

• A practice involving postural and breathing exercises combined with meditation practices. Aim is to achieve a mental liberation (Nirvana) that allows the individual to detach from anxieties, desires, and suffering.
• Earliest archaeological evidence of Yoga (over 5000 years old) suggests a practice linked to the Indus Valley.
• Compiled techniques and theories (about 196 techniques) around 300 BC by the sage Patanjali.
• Techniques and positions were often interpreted differently over time, contributing to variations in schools and practices

Kalaripayattu

• A dance-fighting practice that uses real weapons in a specific dance style. Many authors consider Kalaripayattu as the oldest martial art in Asia. Training includes several phases such as body control, combat with wooden weapons, and subsequently with real weapons. Includes use of batons, swords, shields, daggers, and a whip-sword (urumi). Some elements can be used as a belt around the waist.

Wrestling (Kushti)

• Wrestling practice (Kushti). Performed on a sand pit using a mixture of oil, buttermilk, and spices. Wrestlers wear a short length pair of pants. Wrestlers have bodies covered with oil.
• In the past, wrestling matches lasted until one opponent submitted. Now, achieving a single takedown often results in victory. Match time typically is 5-10 minutes.
• Training for wrestling happens in gyms or akharas. The wrestlers are mentored by a guru that regulates practices, training, and lifestyle.

Strength Training Methods

• Gadas (clubs): Involves rhythmic movements of clubs (different weights & materials).
• Mallakhamb: Involves using a greased wooden pole (3.6 meters, 40 cm thick). Includes agility exercises using the pole. Focuses on combining agility and strength.

Team Sports

• Yubi-Lapki: "Coconut robbery." A game with 7 players per team. Uses a coconut ball.
• Kabaddi: Two teams and 7 players each. One player from one team enters the opponent's field (must not breathe). The opponent's try and catch the player (or stop the player from returning). The original game is believed to be more than 4000 years old

Oxen Races

• Held in both dry and wet seasons (different rules). Races for farmers are to demonstrate breeding skills of cattle, and an opportunity to hopefully earn significant money from the sale of animals.
• Races involve oxen pulling heavy carts or planks.

Chaturanga

• An ancient board game that was a predecessor to modern chess. Composed of four players (with four corresponding pieces).Exact rules are now unknown, but some general concepts remain. Ways of winning involved the concept of "Choking the King", or "Stripping the King".

Test your knowledge on East Asian sports, including their historical significance and philosophical underpinnings. This quiz covers various aspects from the Tang Dynasty to the practices of yoga and Kalaripayattu. Explore how traditional sports impact health and well-being across different cultures.