Highlights of the Exhibition
Chapter 1: The Origins of Japanese Sports as Seen in Arts and Crafts
Chapter 2: Modern and Contemporary Japanese Sports and the Olympics
Chapter 1: The Origins of Japanese Sports as Seen in Arts and Crafts
The history of sports in Japan can be traced all the way back to primeval times. These origins are highly diverse, ranging from the imperial court events of the nobility and military arts of samurai to games of the common people, religious rituals, and performing arts. Such ancient forms have been passed down to the present day as aspects of traditional culture like sumō wrestling, yabusame horseback archery, and the kemari ballgame, as well as modern Japanese martial arts like kendō and kyūdō. These have much in common with modern sports and the Olympic spirit in the sense that they involve competitions of skill according to predetermined rules in order to train the mind and body.
Chapter 1 introduces the origins of Japanese sports during the Edo period (1603–1868) and earlier through paintings, crafts, and other artworks from the collection of the Tokyo National Museum.
Illustrated Scroll of Tale of Warrior Obusuma Saburō (detail)
Kamakura period, 13th century (Important Cultural Property)
(On exhibit from June 30 to August 15, 2021)
Kasagake is a practical mounted archery technique in which archers shoot special whistling arrows from atop a galloping horse.
Long Sword (katana) by Nagasone Kotetsu
Edo period, 17th century
Kotetsu swords are known for their exceptional cutting ability. Yotsudō in the inscription means "four bodies" and indicates that when the blade was tested, it was sharp enough to cut through the stacked corpses of four criminals.
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Saddle Tree with Lions
Heian–Kamakura period, 12th–13th centuries (Gift of Mr. Kano Jigorō, Important Cultural Property)
A splendid saddle decorated in gold. Note the lion ornaments in mother-of-pearl inlay.
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Battledore and Shuttlecock
By Ishikawa Toyonobu, Edo period, 18th century
(On exhibit from June 30 to August 15, 2021)
The Japanese battledore and shuttlecock game known as hanetsuki uses a feathered shuttlecock and racket and is played at the beginning of the New Year.
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Sumō Wrestlers Kajigahama, Sekinoto, and Referee Kimura Shōnosuke
By Katsukawa Shunsho, Edo period, dated 1784
(On exhibit from August 17 to September 20, 2021)
During the Edo period, the traditional combat sport of sumō wrestling became a major form of sporting entertainment, with spectators paying a fee to watch matches.
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Chapter 2: Modern and Contemporary Japanese Sports and the Olympics
Chapter 2 covers the history of Japanese sports from early modern times to the present day. As showcased in Chapter 1, various physical activities closely tied to traditional culture have existed in Japan since ancient times, and these can be considered the “origins” of Japanese sports. The modern concept of “sports” came to Japan from overseas after the Meiji Restoration of 1868, and the Olympics played a particularly important role in popularizing and cultivating sports in Japan.
Chapter 2 presents early Japanese sporting equipment and gear, Japan’s participation in the Olympics, and its process of successfully bidding to host the Games through materials from the collection of the Prince Chichibu Memorial Sports Museum.
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Tomb Sculpture Haniwa: Warrior in Tankō Armor
Found in Kumagaya City, Saitama, Kofun period, 6th century (Important Cultural Property)
This haniwa clay figurine was used in the design of a poster for the 1940 Tokyo Olympics.
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Track-and-Field Uniform and Shoes Worn by Mishima Yahiko
Dated 1912
These were worn by Mishima Yahiko when he competed in the men’s 400-meter track-and-field event at the 1912 Olympics in Stockholm.
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Olympic Torch and Its Holder for the 1964 Olympics in Tokyo
Dated 1964
The handle portion of the Olympic torch for the 1964 Games in Tokyo was designed by the renowned art scholar Yanagi Sōri.
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Uniform Worn by Vera Cáslavská (Czechoslovak Gymnast)
Dated 1964
This uniform was worn by Vera Cáslavská of Czechoslovakia, who won the individual all-around gold medal in women’s gymnastics.
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Gold Medal from the 1964 Olympics in Tokyo
Dated 1964
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"Friendship Medal" Won by Ōe Sueo and Nishida Shuhei (Pole Vault) at the 1936 Olympics in Berlin
Dated 1936
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