all images used are from いらすとや
Sports Day, known as undokai (oon-dou-kai), is an event typically held in the spring. During Sports Day students participate in multiple activities ranging from relay races and dance performances. The students are typically separated into two teams, red and white, and compete for their team. (write more)
Here are some of the unique activities you might see students doing on Sports Day!
Oodama korogashi (大玉ころがし）
Oodama translates to big ball, and korogashi translates to "to roll". In this event, two teams compete to roll a giant ball to the finish line. Students typically form a path by splitting their team into two lines, and using their hands, push the ball as fast as they can through the path and to the finish line. In different versions, students must keep the giant ball off the ground, and if the ball drops, they have to start all over again!
image from Asano's Blog image from Niigata Municipal Shindori Tsubasa Elemntary School Blog
Tamaire (Beanbag toss, 玉入れ)
Tamaire, or beanbag toss is an fun game where students throw small beanbags into a basket hung at the top of a tall pole. The beanbags are typically the color of the team. The teams compete against each other to get the most number of beanbags in the basket. There is a time limit, and beanbags thrown into the basket after the time ends are not counted.
Kibasen (Mock cavalry battle/chicken fights, 騎馬戦)
Kibasen is arguably one of the most interesting to those new to Sports Day to watch. Teams split into groups of four, and three of them hold up one student like a horse, and chase the other team's "horses", and try to take off their hat or headband. The hat/headband is typically the team color, and worn by the student at the top of the "horse". The team that takes the most headband/hats by the end of the time limit is the winner.
Sports Day promotes physical activity and teamwork among students. Personally, my favorite activity during sports day is Kibasen (mock cavalry battle/chicken fights), as getting together into groups and fighting like a calvary is extremely entertaining, no matter the age. My Japanese class at my high school did a Sports Day recently with all the different Japanese classes. We all dressed in our team color, did a short performance, Tug-of-War, dodgeball, and Kibasen. It was engaging and fun to have friendly competition with the other classes, while also experiencing some Japanese culture.
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