Members from a “kemari” preservation association clad in traditional costumes demonstrated an ancient Japanese football game during a New Year event on Friday in Kyoto, Japan. /VCG Photo

Dressed in colorful attire, the players formed a circle and took turns kicking the ball covered with deer skin in a square, entertaining tourists at Shimogamo Jinja in Kyoto's Sakyo Ward. /VCG Photo

Kemari is a popular ball game in Japan during the Heian Period and was introduced from China over 1,300 years ago. Now the sport is performed every New Year. /VCG Photo

China is the birthplace and primary home of the ancient sport, known in Chinese as Cuju, which shares similarities with modern soccer. The sport gained popularity during the Song Dynasty (960–1279), as people of all classes enjoyed both playing and watching the sport. /VCG Photo