The New Year's annual "Kemari Hajime" was held at Shimogamo Shrine, a world heritage site in Kyoto, to celebrate the New Year by dedicating Kemari.
At Shimogamo Shrine in Sakyo Ward, Kyoto City, "Kemari Hajime" is held on January 4 every year to celebrate the new year by dedicating kemari, which was the favorite of the nobles of the Heian period.
At the "Mariwa" in the precincts, eight members of the Preservation Society, dressed in colorful traditional costumes such as red and blue, formed a circle and started kicking the ball.
The ball, made from deerskin, is about 20 cm in diameter and weighs about 120 grams, which is lighter than a soccer ball.
Many people visited the venue to catch a glimpse of the traditional event.
A woman in her 60s from Kyoto City said, "It was nice to wear a traditional costume and kick up slowly."
Takashi Yamamoto, chairman of the Kemari Preservation Society in Kyoto, said, "It's the first event for the preservation society, so I'm relieved to be able to dedicate it safely."