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蹴鞠:足球的古老前身


    Football has reached even the most remote parts of the world, emerging as one of today’s hottest topics. About 2,500 years ago in China, there was a similar game called “cuju”. According to the International Football Association, cuju is considered the origin of football as a sport.

    “Cu”, meaning “to kick”, and “ju”, referring to a leather ball stuffed with feathers, gained popularity during the Warring States Period (476-221 BC). At that time, cuju was used to train military cavalrymen (骑兵) because of its intense and competitive nature.

    During the Han Dynasty (206 BC-AD 220), cuju’s popularity expanded from the army to the royal courts and upper classes. The Han emperor Wu Di was known to enjoy the sport. At the same time, the rules of cuju were formalized, leading to standardized games. Cuju matches frequently took place within the imperial palace.

    The sport was improved during the Tang Dynasty (618-907). Firstly, the feather-stuffed ball was replaced by an air-filled ball with a two-layered hull (壳). Additionally, two different types of goal posts were introduced: One type consisted of posts with a net between them, and the other consisted of just one goal post in the middle of the field.

    Cuju thrived in the Song Dynasty (960-1279) due to social and economic growth, making it popular among all social classes. Professional cuju players became well-known, and the sport gained a commercial aspect. There were two types of professional cuju players: those trained by and performing for the royal court, and those who were civilians earning a living through cuju. In large cities, cuju organizations called Qi Yun She or Yuan She, considered the earliest professional cuju clubs, were established. Members included both cuju enthusiasts and professional performers. Non-professional players had to appoint a professional as their teacher and pay a fee to join, ensuring income for the professionals.

    Cuju began to decline during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), and the 2,000-year-old sport eventually disappeared.

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