The Amazing Tennis Skills of Professional Female Tennis Player Naomi Osaka! This video, titled "[Tennis] Historical Achievements! Naomi Osaka's Top Plays Part 1!" (【テニス】歴史的快挙！！大坂なおみのスーパープレイPart1！【神業】Naomi Osaka Best Points Part1), contains footage of amazing tennis shots by professional female tennis player Naomi Osaka. Naomi Osaka has strong forehand, backhand, and stroke shots, and is known for consistently making amazing shots during her matches. In this article, we'll introduce you to Naomi Osaka, the tennis player famous for her amazing tennis skills. More About the Professional Female Tennis Player Naomi Osaka Source :YouTube screenshot Naomi Osaka was born in Chuo ward, Osaka city in Osaka prefecture (大阪県大阪市中央区, oosakakenoosakashichuuouku). She is sponsored by Nissin Foods (日清食品ホールディングス). She is 180 cm tall (5'11") and weighs 69 kg (152 lbs). She uses a YONEX racket and likes to wear Adidas and Nike apparel. She currently has many sponsors such as YONEX and Nissin Foods and often appears in commercials and in the media. Osaka's father is American (of Haiti origin) and her mother is Japanese. Until 2019 she held dual nationality, however she currently has Japanese citizenship. There are rumors that she is dating the American rapper YBN Cordae as well. She made news after deciding to drop her tennis coach Sascha Bajin (サーシャバイン) in 2019. The History and Achievements of Professional Female Tennis Player Naomi Osaka Photo：Tennis court Naomi Osaka took part in her first professional tour, the ITF (International Tennis Federation) Women's Circuit, at the age of 14. From there, she decided to skip the junior competitions and instead compete in the lower divisions of professional competitions to improve her tennis skills. She has won the WTA (Women's Tennis Association) Tour singles 5 times and was the first Asian player to be ranked number one in the world. She was the first Japanese player to become a Grand Slam Singles champion, the third Japanese player make it to the WTA finals, and she also made it to the finals of the ITF Circuit and has won open competitions all over the world, including the US and Australian Open. She has fans not only in Japan but all over the world. She represented Japan in Wimbledon and the French Open in both singles and doubles, breaking many records along the way. From 0:08 and 0:30 in the video, you can see some of Naomi Osaka's amazing shots against Serena Williams and Angelique Kerber, respectively. Enjoy watching her unbelievable tennis skills in the video! Summary of Professional Female Tennis Player Naomi Osaka Source :YouTube screenshot For those who would like to see more amazing tennis shots from the previous #1 tennis player in the world, Naomi Osaka, feel free to watch the video as much as you like and enjoy her thrilling plays! If you're interested in seeing more on Naomi Osaka, make sure you watch one of her upcoming matches or check out her Twitter or Instagram pages for more information. 【Official Website】Naomi Osaka's official home page https://www.naomiosaka.com/en/

Skateboarding in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics! This video is a session of TEAM RIDER, which consists of five street skaters, Yoshiaki Toeda, Ryuhei Kitazume, Yuto Hori, Daisuke Ikeda, and Sorayoshi Shirai. Skateboarding has become a hotly anticipated event as it becomes a part of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. For some of you, skateboarding is what "kids do for fun." However, skateboarding is one of the most popular international extreme sports, along with surfing, snowboarding, bodyboarding, and BMX, which are all part of the Olympic Games. Check out the video to see some awesome tricks and learn just how fun skateboarding can be! The 2020 Tokyo Olympics' Skateboarding Competition Photo：Skateboarding Although the history of skateboarding varies, it is most likely that it was born around 1940 on the west coast of the United States. Until around 1990, it was enjoyed for fun, but it later took established itself as a sport and joined the Olympic games. There are two types of skateboarding: street and vert. Street skating is exactly what it sounds like- skating around streets and using the natural environment as your skatepark. At the Olympics, it's essentially a small course intended to mimic that natural environment, with staircases, handrails, and more setup for the competitors to do tricks with. Competitors are judged on the number of tricks the can do in the allotted time period, as well as on the complexity of their tricks. Photo：Skatepark On the other hand, vert skating, also known as park skating uses large half-pipes, quarter-pipes, and bowls that you would see at a skatepark. These allow the competitor to gain speed that allows them to grind for long distances, or to gain incredible height and do aerial tricks. It might not look that hard, but being so high in the air can actually be quite nerve wracking, and they don't always land their tricks either. Street skating might not be as fast paced, but the freestyle performances are just as impressive as their vert counterparts. The video shows a video of a street skateboard competition starting at 0:17. Skateboarders and Other World-Class Riders! Murasaki Sports Supporting the Youth! Source :YouTube screenshot Many athletes who have won numerous awards in world contests, including the designated players for the Tokyo Olympics, belong to Murasaki Sports. The skateboard team "TEAM RIDER," that can be seen in the video, includes Yoshiaki Toeda (0:15), Ryuhei Kitazume (1:14), Yuto Horiyume (2:21), Daisuke Ikeda (0:39), and Sorayoshi Shirai (1:42). Check out some of their awesome tricks in the video. There's also surfing, snowboarding, bodyboarding, and other athletes besides the five skaters mentioned above. The athletes are committed to improving their skills while practicing for competition on a daily basis. The Murasaki Sports website also features blog posts on the athletes' competitions as well as their private lives, so you can stay up to date with their daily activities. You too can support the players of Murasaki Sports! Summary of Murasaki Sports' Skateboarders Photo：Skateboarding We hope you were able to see some of the charms of skateboarding through this article. Be sure to look out for skateboarding at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics! The population and public interest in skateboarding isn't that high, but the community is great and they love helping beginner get into the sport! If you're into skateboarding, be sure to watch the video and check out some of their awesome tricks! 【Official Website】Skateboard - Murasaki Sports https://www.murasaki.co.jp/brand/ridelifemag-murasaki-sports/shop/honatsugi/354a9bd2-09ad-4aea-a98f-e4249637a13b

Wheelchair Rugby: Video Introduction to the Paralympic Sport The video “Wheelchair Rugby ‘PR MOVIE’（Wheelchair Rugby ウィルチェアーラグビー "PR MOVIE"）” created by “The Nippon Foundation Paralympic Support Center” introduces the Paralympic game: wheelchair rugby. Wheelchair rugby is the only game where wheelchairs are allowed to crash against each other, leading to fast paced, dynamic matches, which makes it an indispensable addition to the Paralympics. This article will explain the thrill of wheelchair rugby, with the help of the video. Wheelchair Rugby: A Paralympic Sport Photo：wheelchair rugby Wheelchair rugby, is a chance for those with impaired movement to enjoy the popular sport. It was created in Canada in 1977 for paraplegic athletes, and is a popular sport in Europe. Since it is for impaired athletes, and because of the clashes between wheelchairs, it is sometimes referred to as “quad rugby” or “murder ball". One of the most distinctive features of wheelchair rugby, is the rule that allows for tackling between wheelchairs. This leads to violent bodily contact just like in the original game. You can see many plays like this from 0:31 in the video. Big crashing sounds ring out through the venue. It was chosen as an official Paralympic game in the 2020 Sydney Paralympics, and has continued to gain recognition throughout the world. As seen in the video, the ball used in wheelchair rugby is round; different from the oval ball used in normal rugby. It was developed based on a size 5 volleyball. During the game, players advance up the field with the ball on their laps. Those without legs use a wheelchair called a Rug car which has a special ball rest installed on it. Japan's National Wheelchair Rugby Team Source :YouTube screenshot Japan's national wheelchair rugby team took home bronze at the 2016 Rio Paralympics, and at the World Championship in 2018, they won gold, placing them at No. 1 in the world. During the 2019 Rugby World cup in Japan, the “World Wheelchair Rugby Challenge 2019” was held among the 8 strongest countries for 5 days at the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium. As predicted by the IWRF (International Wheelchair Rugby Federation) world rankings, the games were fierce and Japan managed to place 3rd. By the 2015 Asia-Oceania Championship, Japan had won medals at 7 out of the 8 games, cementing their place as Asia's representative team. The Japan national wheelchair rugby team achieved great things during their international matches, and placed 3rd in the overall world rankings. They have been doing a great job! Two popular players are Kurahashi Kae, and Sugano Motoki. Wheelchair Rugby - The Rules Source :YouTube screenshot A wheelchair rugby game is 4 on 4 and uses specially designed wheelchairs. Players advance by dribbling or passing the ball. Crossing over the opponents try line at the ends of the field will score points. Like wheelchair basketball, there is a rule for choosing players. Each team has a certain amount of points. The points are based on each individual player's level of disability. The total points need to be within the allotted amount. For the field, a basketball court is used, and offense and defense is fast paced and thrilling to watch. Wheelchair Rugby: A Paralympic Sport Photo：wheelchair rugby The video “Wheelchair Rugby ‘PR MOVIE’” by “The Nippon Foundation Paralympic Support Center” introduces the fire of wheelchair rugby, a sport for disabled. If you're familiar with, and enjoy watching rugby, we recommend giving wheelchair rugby a watch! It is an official Paralympic game that will be held in the Tokyo Paralympics as well, so please check it out.

What is the V. League? The V. LEAGUE is a newly established domestic volleyball league in Japan. The sponsor is the Japan Volleyball League Organization (V. League Organization) and they officially started from the 2018/2019 season. The predecessor was, the V. Premier League which mainly consisted of corporate structured teams. After the league license system was implemented, they became one step closer to creating a professional volleyball league. Volleyball has been a very popular sport In Japan since its inception. However, due to recent concerns about the difference in ability when compared with other countries who have professional organizations, it is considered imperative that the Japanese teams turn professional in order to surpass the top leagues of other countries. The Structure of V. League Source :YouTube screenshot 【 DIVISION 1 (V1) 】 V. League's top tier league The top-ranking club teams who hold an S1 license. There are 10 men's teams and 12 women's' teams registered in this league. Unfortunately, in the 2019 season, the number of women's teams dropped to 11. 【 DIVISION 2 (V2) 】 This division is comprised of 12 Men’s teams and 8 Women’s teams that have S1 or S2 qualifications. 【 DIVISION 3 (V3) 】 This division is the lowest ranked division in the V. League. In the 2018/2019 season, 4 Men's teams will be participating in this division. 【V Challenge Matches】 If a V2 division team places 2nd or higher, they will have a competition with a lower ranking V1 division team for a chance to replace them in the upper division. Source :YouTube screenshot Both men's and women's winning club teams earn the right to participate in the Asian Club Volleyball Championships. This footage is a promotional video showing the Grand Final's competition in which the winners are determined. The “Panasonic Panthers” can be seen from 0:28 and the “JT Thunders” from 0:47. The V. League is still a newly established Japanese league and cannot be said to be a completely pro league. As a matter of fact, the Japan Volleyball League Organization was holding competitions such as the V Summer League Women’s Tournament separate of the V. League up until 2019. At this tournament, popular women’s club teams were divided into Eastern and Western divisions and competed for rankings. Check Out the Official V. League Website! Source :YouTube screenshot On the official V. League website, you will be able to see information such as dates, how to buy tickets, rankings, results of tournaments, the status of the V. league Final Stage tournament, introductions to club teams and players, and information about access to tournament venues as well. Also, you will be able to see the competition through V. League TV, or one of the sponsors, the DAZON app (a smartphone app dedicated to sports), and tune into the live stream or recorded coverage. If you are a volleyball fan, definitely check it out. Summary of Japan's V. League Photo：Volleyball The volleyball V. League is a league that was newly established in 2018, however, you can see the energetic plays and successes of the all-star players on both the men's and women's teams; players like Kimura Saori (Toray Arrows) who retired from the Women’s National Team representing Japan. Her departure is sorely missed by avid fans. In the 2020 league tournament, the participation of 3 men’s teams and 1 women’s team has been decided. This marks the start of a new history in the world of Japanese sports.

Video of Sprinter, Kiryu Yoshihide, Taken by Gopro! Check out the video, uploaded by Kiryu Yoshihide “Running with a GoPRo!（GoProを付けて走ってみた！）” Kiryu Yoshihide is a famous sprinter, holding the national record for the 100 meter dash, at 9.98 seconds. It's rare to see him running on indoor track with a GoPro on his head. The difference between his point of view and the point of view of a normal person while running, is shown at 2:21 in the video. What Kind of Athlete Is Kiryu Yoshihide? Source :YouTube screenshot Kiryu Yoshihide is a sprinter from Hikone, Shiga in Japan's Kansai region. He was born December 15th, 1995 and he is now 24 years old (as ofJune, 2020). He is 176 cm tall and weighs 70 kg. He has liked sports since his childhood, and during his time at Rakunan High School and Toyo University, he participated in national and world tournaments. After graduating from college, he participated in the Asian Games as a track and field athlete affiliated with Nippon Life Insurance, while also appearing in commercials and television programs. In 2020, he announced his marriage on his official YouTube channel, surprising everyone. A Look at His Records and Awards! Source :YouTube screenshot Yoshihide Kiryu competes globally in short-distance track and field events such as the 100 and 200 meter dash. In 2017, he achieved a 9.98 in the 100 meter sprint, his best record as well as the national record. At the Rio Olympics in 2016, he ran 2 x 100 meter relays with Yamagata Ryota, Iizuka Shota, and Aska Cambridge. They set a record for Asia and took home a silver medal. About Kiryu Yoshihide Source :YouTube screenshot Other than YouTube, he also has a Twitter and Instagram. He talks about his training and track and field in general. He introduces about his cleats, how to build muscles, and more. Definitely check it out if you're interested in track and field. Summary of Kiryu Yoshihide Source :YouTube screenshot This video showed Kiryu Yoshihide’s impressive speed, and introduced a little bit about him. If you watch the video at 2:21, you realize the difference between a professional runner and an average person. We also see a race between Yoshihide and his coach at 2:38. He is now training for the Tokyo Olympics. It'll be exciting to see what he can achieve, and if he'll be able to set any new records. 【Official Webbsite】JAAF | Kiryu Yoshihide https://www.jaaf.or.jp/english/

Introducing Sitting Volleyball! An Official Event at the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics! This is an introductory video to women’s sitting volleyball (シッティングバレーボール, Sitting Volleyball). In sitting volleyball, athletes with disabilities, such as paralysis in their hands and/or legs, play volleyball while sitting on the floor. Sitting volleyball, which is an authorized event of the IPC (International Paralympic Committee), is an official event at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics. A Look at Sitting Volleyball! Source :YouTube screenshot As seen from 0:06 in the video, Taito City's "Taito Riverside Sports Center," a tournament venue in Taito Ward that aims to promote sitting volleyball, hosted the international tournament "WORLD SUPER 6" in 2019. Japan, sitting at 10th place in the world rankings, managed to place 3rd, taking home the bronze medal. Yoshihisa Mano, the sitting volleyball women's national team coach in Japan, is shown at 1:00 in the video. In his video he talks about the amazing efforts of the athletes. Sitting Volleyball- An Introduction to Its History and Rules! Source :YouTube screenshot Sitting volleyball is a sport played while, you guessed it, sitting. It was established in the Netherlands, in 1956. In 1967, an international sitting volleyball match was started by the International Sports Organization for the Disabled (ISOD). In Japan, the Japan Sitting Volleyball Association was established in 1992, and since then, the numbers of players has only increased. Currently, there are active sitting volleyball teams in areas such as Chiba and Osaka. The Charm of Sitting Volleyball Source :YouTube screenshot The charm of sitting volleyball is that it's a sport that both those with and without disabilities can enjoy. The rules and equipment used are similar to that of six-player indoor volleyball, with players battling with serves, volleys, and spikes. However, the size of courts and the height of nets are different from that of regular volleyball, and the use of kicking is prohibited, so attack and defense are slightly different from that of regular volleyball. Summary of Sitting Volleyball Photo：Japan National Stadium At the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics, you can see many exciting events, such as men’s & women’s sitting volleyball, and other events like wheel chair basketball. Unfortunately, the Olympics has been postponed to 2021, but that's all the more time to learn about new sports, their top athletes, and highlights. Are you looking forward to the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics? 【Official Website】Sitting Volleyball – JPVA Japan Para-Volleyball Association http://www.jsva.info/contents/spoting_events/sitting.html

An Interview With Aska Cambridge "Aska Cambridge_ Sports Information（ケンブリッジ飛鳥さん_Sports Information（世田谷区スポーツのしおり））" created by the “Setagaya Sports Promotion Foundation,” is an interview video with Aska Cambridge- a Japanese track and field sprinter. You can watch how the top athletes, who have competed in and shown good results at international and national tournaments, feel about track and field. This article introduces silver medalist Aska Cambridge. Be sure to follow along with the video! Who is Aska Cambridge? Source :YouTube screenshot Aska Cambridge is a track and field sprinter affiliated with the Nike track and field club. In 2016, he ran 4 × 100 metres relay and won a silver medal at the 2016 Olympic Game in Rio de Janeiro. Since then, he has become one of the top athletes in Japan. His full name is Aska Antonio Cambridge. He is 180 cm (5'11") tall and weighs 76 kg. His nationality is Japanese. He has a Jamaican father and Japanese mother. He was born in Jamaica and came to Osaka when he was two years old. He played soccer when he was an elementary school student but switched to track and field at the recommendation of his club supervisor. He went to Tokyo High School and holds the record for the 100m in 10 seconds. He entered the Department of Physical Education, College of Humanities and Sciences at Nihon University. He was injured during the Kanto intercollegiate competition in 2014, but he still managed good results and won the championship many times. Photo：Track field At the Rio Olympics, he ran the 4 × 100 metres relay as an anchor for Japan with “Ryota Yamagata, Shota Iizuka and Yoshihide Kiryu” and won a silver medal. He made a new record in Asia and left good results. At London World Championships 2017, he also ran in 4 x 100 relay finals. His personal best is 10.08 for 100 meters and 20.62 for 200 meters. If you noticed, he is also quite handsome, making him popular with women, similar to Sani Brown, another track and field sprinter. He currently appears in TV commercials for "UHA Gummy Supplements." The Interview With Aska Cambridge Source :YouTube screenshot Be sure to watch his interview in the video. In it, he discusses his decision to go professional. You can see this at 2:38 in the video. He decided to go pro after competing with world class athletes at the 2016 Rio Olympics. He also talks about his commitment as a professional from 3:46. He says that he eats healthy, stays well-rested, enjoys healthy lifestyle habits and relaxes regularly. He also explains his transition from soccer player to track and field athlete, why he continues track and field, and the happiest and hardest things about competing, as well as his overall attraction to sports and his goals. Summary Source :YouTube screenshot The video “Aska Cambridge_ Sports Information” created by “Setagaya Sports Promotion Foundation,” is an interview video with 2016 Rio Olympic silver medalist Aska Cambridge. We recommend this video to people who like sports and want to hear more about Japan's top athletes, their goals, thoughts, and dedication to their sport. If you want to know more about Aska Cambridge, be sure to check out the video!

PR Video for Japan's Flyboard Championship! This is the promotion video called “Japan Flyboard Championship 2018（フライボード選手権2018 & フライボードガール～Flyboard Japan Championship～）” . As you can see from the video (0:07) , a new device called a "fly-board", that soars through the air using water pressure, is attracting a lot of attention as a new marine sport. Surprisingly, there's also a Flyboard World Championship. Flying through the air with all that freedom looks like a blast! You won't be able to keep your eyes off this new marine sport! What a Flyboard Looks Like Photo：Flyboard Flyboarding is a marine sport where a person flies from the surface of the water by using a hover-boardthat connects between a water-jet and a hose on the rider's feet. When water bursts forth from the exhaust of the personal watercraft, jets are sprayed from under the board through a hose, allowing the wearer to fly. The maximum flying height is about 9 meters (30 ft.). But it's possible to do a variety of flips and tricks with practice. You can see a lot of different tricks such as the back-flips in this video (0:23). The Japan Flyboard Championship! Source :YouTube screenshot The 2018 Japan Flyboard Championship was held at the Hachikenyahama (八軒家浜: Hachikenyahama) in Tenma, Osaka City Osaka in May, 2018. Entrants competed with each other to perform the most impressive tricks in a set time limit. As you can see in the video at 1:40, the performances of female competitors, called “Flyboard Girls”, also became famous in this championship. Besides the Japan Flyboard Championship, there's also the Flyboard World Championship as well. People from all over the world enjoy flyboarding. As you may know, flyboards are used for many shows such as the ones at Tokyo Disney Sea. Wanna Give It a Shot? Source :YouTube screenshot Recently, trial lessons have become available seaside or at lakes such as Lake Yamana ( 山中湖：Yamanakako) or Lake Kawaguchi (河口湖:Kawaguchiko). There is another activity similar to flyboarding where you can fly using a jet pack. This can be seen at 3:13 in the video. "Do I need to buy something in order to try it out?" Don’t worry about that, necessary items such as a wet suits or life jackets are available for rent. Don't worry about being a beginner either. Instructors give great guidance so there's nothing to worry about. The average lesson fee is about 6000 yen (~$55 USD). It's definitely worth trying at least once! Summary of the Japan Flyboard Championship Source :YouTube screenshot Flyboarding is not a major marine sport yet, but it has been attracting a lot of attention due to the nature of the sport's aerial freedom. If this article has you interested in flyboarding, be sure to give it a shot!

Performance Video for Ryuji Shirakawa, an Aikido Master This video entitled “Aikido Dynamic and fluid movement Shirakawa Ryuji shihan (合気道 ダイナミックで流れるような動き！白川竜次 師範), performed by Aikido Master Ryuji, and produced by "Aikido Shinburenseijuku," features performances of Aikido, one of Japan's traditional martial arts. You can see the performance by Ryuji Shirakawa, 6th dan of Shinburenseijyuku, as he throws his opponents from one to the next. What are the techniques of Aikido, Japan's historic martial art? What is Aikido? Photo：Aikido Aikido and other traditional Japanese martial arts emphasize the ancient Japanese concept of "mind, technique and body." "Mind, technique and body" refers to a balance of mind, technique, and body. Aikido is a martial art that was established between the Meiji period and the beginning of the Showa period. It has a relatively short history in comparison with other martial arts. Aikido is a comprehensive martial art into which the principles not only for Jujitsu, but also for Kendo and Judo, are incorporated. The martial art came to be called Aikido in 1942, and has since spread all over the world. It is estimated that there are about 1 million people competing domestically and 1.5 million abroad. Aikido has various types of attacking techniques such as Ikkyo, Shihonage , Iriminage, Kotegaeshi. A half-body stance is the basic position for Aikido regardless school. It is important to practice things such as breathing techniques or switching of body positions to use the martial art's techniques properly. In this video, you can see scenes of master Ryuji Shirakawa throwing his opponents one after another. Sometimes arm-locking them as well. Learn the Japanese Martial Art, Aikido! Photo：Children sitting in "Seiza" The number of people who practice Japanese martial arts such as Karate, Judo, and Kendo has been increasing. Wearing dojo clothes and training in a jiu-jitsu or kendo dojo can help you maintain your health and improve your mental strength. The Japanese martial arts are useful as a self-defense technique, making them a great choice for men as well as women and children to learn. If you can find a good coach and receive careful guidance, you can participate in a competition, even if you are a beginner. Summary of Aikido Master Ryuji Shirakawa's Aikido Performance Source :YouTube screenshot This video features many beautiful and powerful techniques by Aikido Master Ryuji Shirakawa. Please watch his performance in the video if you haven't yet, and enjoy the exchange of great techniques by Japanese martial artists. There are many dojos or training halls in Japan where anyone can learn Japanese martial arts including Jujitsu and Taijutsu. If you're interested in traditional Japanese martial arts, or if you feel like taking up a sport, you should visit a dojo or class where you can practice martial arts! 【Official Website】Aikido Shinburenseijuku http://www.shinburenseijuku.com/

A Look at Japan's Sumo Wrestling "Sumo Match - Tokyo - 相撲" is a video produced by TokyoStreetView – Japan The Beautiful, featuring Japan’s national sport! Sumo is a traditional martial art loved by the masses since old times in Japan. As the matches are held internationally, the sport has many overseas fans and is capturing the world’s attention. Matches between top wrestlers in the sumo rankings such as Yokozuna or Ozeki, are very spectacular and spectators can fully enjoy the thrilling matches. The video features footage of a match between sekitori (a sumo ranking) during the New Year’s tournament held in January 2017. Check out Japan’s spectacular sport - sumo wrestling! About Sumo – Japan’s National Sport Photo：Sumo Wrestling The first written record of sumo in Japan is said to be found in a Shinto document called Kojiki. Sumo matches used to be held as rituals and festivals dedicated to the deities and was mostly loved by nobles. After gaining popularity among the masses during the Edo period (1603 – 1868 AD), sumo has been enjoyed as a form of entertainment and sport in Japan. Today, matches are held both nationwide and internationally and many Japanese and foreigners enjoy it. The manners and conventions rooted in the rituals are passed down and given special importance even in modern sumo wrestling. The Excitement of Sumo Source :YouTube screenshot As the national sport of Japan, sumo wrestling starts from matches between low-ranking wrestlers, and matches between makuuchi (senior-grade wrestlers) are held in the evening. Honbasho refers to the official tournaments that decide the rankings and rewards of the wrestlers and six tournaments are organized throughout the year: the first tournament in January (Tokyo), the spring tournament in March (Osaka), the summer tournament in May (Tokyo), the Nagoya tournament in July, the autumn tournament in September (Tokyo), and finally, the Kyushu tournament in November (Fukuoka). Many Japanese people have probably watched the official tournaments aired on NHK (the national broadcaster in Japan). Some may have a stiff image of the national sport, but that's not true at all. Spectators can enter the venue at any time and watch the match in a relaxed manner while eating and drinking. Matches between senior-grade wrestlers are a must-watch and you'll surely get excited watching the spectacular matches between well-built wrestlers. Spectators get excited during matches, especially when a maegashira (the lowest grade of the highest ranking sumo class) wins against a yokozuna (the highest ranking sumo class) champion, as well as in deciding matches. Tickets and information of those exciting sumo wrestling matches are available on the official website of Nihon Sumo Kyokai. The Flow of a Sumo Match Source :YouTube screenshot As you can see at 0:22 in the video, wrestlers step into the ring with their colorful ornamental aprons before a match. As businesses can offer rewards to support wrestlers, the “reward banners” with the names of those businesses go around the ring as you can see at 3:14 in the video. With the company names printed on the program of the matches and publicly announced, those businesses play a similar role to sponsors in other sports. Before a match, a ritual called "chirichouzu" is held. You can see this at 3:08 and 7:52 in the video. This is a declaration "to fight fair and square without any weapons." Source :YouTube screenshot Next, the wrestler creates distance from the opponent, bends forward, and places his hands on the ground. This is called "shikiri" (仕切り). Then, with the signal of the referee, the wrestlers push each other. This is called "tachiai" (立合い). This series of events can be seen in the video. There are different means of attacking, such as thrusts, slapping, and body strikes. Kimarite (決まり手, winning move) refers to the move that the opponent is defeated by. Punching and grabbing the opponent's hair are prohibited moves in sumo. Summary of Japan’s National Sport Photo：Sumo "Sumo Match - Tokyo - 相撲," produced by TokyoStreetView – Japan The Beautiful, features conventions before matches and match footage of Japan’s national sport. From the cultural aspect of sumo that originates from Japanese Shinto to the spectacular matches, the video shows the sport at its best. Sumo is a fascinating martial art that a wide range of people including those who are interested in Japanese culture and martial arts lovers can enjoy! 【Official Website】Nihon Sumo Kyokai Official Website http://www.sumo.or.jp/En/

Ayumu Hirano: Aiming for a Top 3 Finish at the Olympics! This video is titled "Ayumu Hirano #3 Skater Skateboarder, and Silver Medalist at Winter Olympics" (平野歩選手がスケボー3位 冬季五輪の銀メダリスト). It was released by "KyodoNews." Ayumu Hirano is a halfpipe snowboarder who has won a silver medal at two consecutive Winter Olympic Games. Ayumu Hirano has been attracting attention since he started his skateboarding quest to take home a medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. The video shows the results of the Japan Open Park competition, which also serves as a selection event for the strengthening candidates, held on March 16, 2019 at the Kugenuma Seaside Park Skate Park in Fujisawa, Kanagawa Prefecture. Kensuke Sasaoka won the men's title at the Japan Open Park, Midori Okamoto won the women's title, and Ayumu Hirano placed third in the men's competition. You can see Ayumu Hirano talking about his passion for skateboarding in an interview in the video. This article introduces Ayumu Hirano and the appeal of skateboarding. What Is a Skateboarding? Photo：Skateboarding Skateboarding is an action sport that involves riding a board with wheels in the front and back. Skateboarding is also called "sukebo"in Japanese. Skateboarding is said to have been created in the 1940's on the west coast of the United States as a way for children to play, and it eventually spread throughout the world between the 1980's an 1990's. Skateboarding competitions include Street, Vert, Freestyle, Slalom, and more. At the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, there will be two types of events- street and vert. Ayumu Hirano will compete in vert. Vert skating involves using half-pipes, quarter-pipes, and bowls (essentially large, empty pools) to gain speed and doing insane aerial tricks that include grabs and flips. Competitors are judged on how many tricks they can do in the allotted time and how difficult their tricks are. Ayumu Hirano is introduced at 0:20 in the video. Who is Ayumu Hirano? Source :YouTube screenshot Ayumu Hirano is Japan's leading snowboarder at 160 cm tall (5'2"), and has won two consecutive medals in the half pipe of the 2014 Sochi Olympics and the 2018 Olympics at Pyeongchang. His unique hairstyle, which can be seen at 1:28 in the video, is also quite popular. His sponsors are Burton, Kinoshita Group, TEAM FALKEN, and more, and he has signed a global ambassador contract with UNIQLO to develop snowboard gear for competitions. Starting skateboarding and snowboarding at the age of four, he is trying to achieve mastery of both sports. Both his father and brother are athletes. In the interview with Ayumu Hirano at 1:28, he talks about his passion for skating and snowboarding and how he wants to train harder so he can challenge the sports to enjoy them even more. Summary of Ayumu Hirano Source :YouTube screenshot The video introduces Ayumu Hirano as he skates around the park, and also features an interview with the talented skater/snowboarder. To qualify for the Japan team for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, you need to be ranked in the top 16 of the Olympic World Skateboarding Ranking as of June 2, 2020, or in the top 3 at the 2020 World Championships. Ayumu Hirano will continue to keep his eyes on the world championships as he aims for a top-3 finish. Be sure to check out Ayumu Hirano at the Olympic games! 【Official Website】Japan Skateboarding Federation http://japanskateboardingfederation.jp/

Battodo- One of Japan’s Traditional Martial Arts; A Look at the National Championships In this video, titled "The 42nd National Battodo Federation Championships/ The 9th Ueki Cup Competition (Iaido/Battodo) Iaido（第42回全日本抜刀道連盟全国大会・第9回植木杯争奪戦【居合道・抜刀道】Iaido）," we see scenes from the 2018 national battodo championships. Battodo is, as shown in the video, the art of swordsmanship in which they slash through tatami mats at a diagonal angle. Before we go any further, take a look at scenes from the national championships at the beginning of the video. What Is Battodo? A Look at the History of the Traditional Martial Art Photo：Iai Battodo is a type of martial art that involves slashing objects using a Japanese sword. It began with Nakamura Taizaburo's advocacy of a martial art form centered on "tameshi-giri" (trying out a new sword or blade (originally on someone, but now on soaked straw targets)), which was introduced in the post-war era when iaido was becoming popular. There are many schools or styles of battodo, as well as differences in levels basic techniques. Besides battodo, in Japan, there are old swordsmanship arts such as iaibattodo and battojutsu. These can also be seen in the video. Many martial artists and martial arts lovers are actively engaged in these arts as well. The Rules of Battodo Source :YouTube screenshot At the Ueki Cup Competition held at Mooka City in Tochigi Prefecture, there are divisions such as the “Tameshi-giri division,” which can be seen from 2:32, the “Team competition division,” which can be seen from 13:09, and the “Kata division” (solo practice/demonstration of basic technique) which can be seen from 15:09. There are of course competition rules at the national championships of battodo as well. The judges judge the competitors based on their standing technique, posture, and the cut sections of the tatami mat, and the professional association awards them levels or titles such as Hanshi (Master), Kyoushi (Advanced Instructor), and Renshi (Instructor). As you can see in the footage, there's not just individual matches, but team matches as well. How to Experience Battodo in Japan Photo：Men with Japanese swords There are many batto dojos; beginning with Ryuseiken in Tokyo, and others in Yamagata prefecture, Chiba prefecture, Kanagawa prefecture, Osaka prefecture, Saitama prefecture, and Hokkaido prefecture. To those interested in traditional Japanese martial arts, or those wanting to study the spirit, technique, and physical strength of bushido, we definitely recommend taking lessons at a dojo. There are dojos in which even elementary and junior high school students learn battodo as well. Practicing martial arts as a family, also makes for a fun experience. Summary of Battodo This time, we showed you footage of the national Battodo championships. Battodo, shown in the video, is an attractive sport that will make you feel like a samurai of the Sengoku period. To those interested in battodo, a martial art gaining popularity both domestically and overseas, definitely watch the video closely to see the amazing swordsmanship of these modern day samurai! 【Official Website】National Battodo Federation http://zenbaturen.world.coocan.jp/eng_index.html

The Opening Game of the Professional Men’s Basketball's “B. League” This video, “B.LEAGUE STARTING GAME Official After MOVIE”, summarizes the B.LEAGUE's opening game. The B.LEAGUE is a top professional men’s basketball league managed by the Japan Professional Basketball League (JPBL). It was preceded by the BJ League and the National Basketball League, and was formed in September 2016. The league’s three major events are the B.LEAGUE regular season (B.LEAGUE Championship), B.LEAGUE EARLY CUP, and the All-Japan Basketball Championship. The B.LEAGUE's Opening Game Source :YouTube screenshot In the 2016-17 B.LEAGUE opening game, the theme song was “Take-A-Shot! feat.PKCZ”, newly released by the two-member dance and vocal duo ShuuKaRen. The song was performed on the court, with the entire floor covered in LED lights. This can be seen from 1:01 in the video. As seen in the video, the opening game attracted a huge number of fans, showing the popularity of professional men’s basketball. In the video, you can see crazy plays such as pro players dunking the ball. The fans of professional men’s basketball are known as “Boosters”, and play an important role in increasing the energy and hype of the game. In the video, you can see "Boosters" crowding the stands. What Is the B.LEAGUE? Source :YouTube screenshot The B.LEAGUE is a professional men’s basketball league, under the "Japan Basketball League Institute", comprised of the B1 Division, B2 Division, and B3 Division. B1 and B2 are comprised of 18 teams, while B3 is comprised of 12 teams, combining to form a total of 48 club teams. Including Sapporo, Tokyo, Kyoto, and more – the club teams are located all over Japan. The B1 and B2 teams are further divided into three conferences of six clubs each and take part in the regular season. The top eight teams qualify for the play-offs. The team that wins this tournament-style championship is crowned the B.LEAGUE champion. Teams in each league are constantly fighting for their spots, keeping you glued to the action. Source :YouTube screenshot Furthermore, once a year, the “All-Star Game” is held, where 24 specially chosen players are separated into teams and matches are held. Players that aren't contracted with any team are known as free agents, and their names are released on the free agent roster. The B.LEAGUE also has a wide variety of goods for sale. Putting on some limited-edition goods is sure to bring the hype and help you root for your favorite team! An online shop is also available, so do make sure to check it out as well. The B.LEAGUE's Elite Source :YouTube screenshot How much do the B.LEAGUE’s top players make? The players’ yearly income is not released to the public. However, annual salary and per-game earnings change according to player performance and stats. The highest yearly income of a Japanese player is said to be around 50 million yen. Therefore, there is still a ways to go before the B.LEAGUE can reach its goal of sending a 1-billion-yen player to the Tokyo Olympics. B.LEAGUE: The Professional Men’s Basketball League Turning up the Heat Source :YouTube screenshot So are you interested yet? If so, the latest B.LEAGUE schedule, information about ticket sales, and more can be found on the official website! The B.LEAGUE will bring about a new era of professional men’s basketball. Take a seat and experience history being written through these action packed games, or even better, cheer for your favorite team in the stands of the arena! 【Official Website】B.LEAGUE Official Site https://www.bleague.jp/

About the Boat Race PR Video "BOAT RACE and the City │ Boat Race PR [BOATRACE official]（BOAT RACE and the City │ボートレースPR【ボートレース公式 BOATRACE official】）" is a PR video work that allows you to enjoy the power of boat racing. The speed and power at these waterside stadiums is extraordinary and attracts many people. Powerful races, as you can see throughout the video, are sometimes called "water martial arts." Finding and cheering for your favorite athlete is one of the appeals of all public sports. This time, I will introduce boat racing in detail. What Is Boat Racing? What Is a Boat Race? Photo：Boat Race Boat racing is one of the government-controlled competitive sports along with “bicycle racing”, “horse racing”, “auto racing”, etc., and is a competition performed on a motor board that applies the motorboat racing format. The race is divided into five classes, "SG, G1, G2, G3, and General Battle". SG (Special grade) is the highest grade race. The official name was unified as "競艇, Kyoutei" (Lit. Boat Racing) from 1997 to 2009, but from 2010, it was stylized as "BOAT RACE". In the past, it was sometimes called a boat or motorboat race. Boat Races at 24 Locations Nationwide! Photo：Fukuoka Boat Race Track Introduced in the video at 1:01, there are 24 boat racetracks nationwide. Here, we will introduce them in a list. 1. Kojima Boat Race Track (Okayama Prefecture) 2. Miyajima Boat Race Track (Hiroshima Prefecture) 3. Tokuyama Boat Race Track (Yamaguchi Prefecture) 4. Shimonoseki Boat Race Track (Yamaguchi Prefecture) 5. Wakamatsu Boat Race Track (Fukuoka Prefecture) 6. Ashiya Boat Race Track (Fukuoka Prefecture) 7. Fukuoka Boat Race Track (Fukuoka Prefecture) 8. Karatsu Boat Race Track (Saga Prefecture) 9. Omura Boat Race Track (Nagasaki Prefecture) 10. Amagasaki Boat Race Track (Hyogo Prefecture) 11. Suminoe Boat Race Track (Osaka Prefecture) 12. Biwako Boat Race Course (Shiga Prefecture) 13. Mikuni Boat Race Track (Fukui Prefecture) 14. Naruto Boat Race Track (Tokushima Prefecture) 15. Marugame Boat Race Field (Kagawa Prefecture) 16. Kiryu Boat Race Course (Gunma Prefecture) 17. Toda Boat Race Course (Saitama Prefecture) 18. Edogawa Boat Race Track (Tokyo) 19. Heiwajima Boat Race Track (Tokyo) 20. Tamagawa Boat Race Track (Tokyo) 21. Tokoname Boat Race Track (Aichi Prefecture) 22. Gamagori Boat Race Course (Aichi Prefecture) 23. Lake Hamana Boat Race Field (Lake Hamana) 24. Tsu Boat Race Track (Mie Prefecture) If You Enjoy Boat Racing, Take a Gamble! Photo：Boat odds bulletin board Boat racing also has a gambling aspect, which has become very popular content. Now, apps have appeared, and you can buy boat tickets anywhere, predict the outcome, and see the results. Boat racing is a sport that can be enjoyed by all types of people! Boat Race Introduction Video Summary Today we Introduced the very popular boat race as a spectator competition. What'd you think? There are also TV commercials featuring popular talent, so if you're interested, keep your eyes peeled. It has a history dating back 79 years, including the period until it became a public sport, and now it has a stronger aspect of gambling, but it is still a powerful sport that you will never get tired of watching. [Tokyo / Osaka / Fukuoka] featured in the video may have a joint tri-city battle. If you are interested, why not visit the boat racetrack and vote? 【Official Website】boat race https://www.boatrace.jp/owpc/pc/extra/en/index.html

The Traditional Japanese Martial Art “Kendo” This video is "Best of Kendo~Awesome~" produced by "NAGASHI." Kendo is one of Japan's traditional martial arts. Many Japanese people know about the style of Kendo. What's so fascinating about this sport though? Kendo is a one-on-one competition where players wear a kendo uniform, armor, and use bamboo swords called "shinai." Kendo and other traditional Japanese martial arts are about valuing respect. Swords are of course weapons, but it is the human mind that controls them. Winning a match, according to the rules, means winning with the swordsmanship you've refined. The swordsman stay focused until after the match, when they've bowed to one another. This is standard Kendo etiquette. Kendo is said to be a martial art that begins and ends with a bow. The beauty of this Japanese culture may be one of the attractions of Kendo. In the video, you can see this etiquette from 0:05 and 5:57 in the second half. I hope that these videos will show the excellence of Kendo and the spirit, and harmony among Kendo fighters through their matches and practice, and at the same time, convey the beauty of Japanese martial arts as a whole. The History of Kendo Photo：Kendo Nowadays, the sport has federations all over the world, and not only schoolchildren's tournaments, inter-scholastic athletics competitions, and national championships, but matches are held all over the world. With the increase in the number of competitors, kendo's technical population has grown to about 1.7 million, but it was originally created to practice swordsmanship. It is a traditional martial art that inherited the soul of the samurai, which is said to have already existed in the Heian period (794-1185 AD). Kendo, as a competitive sport, had its own set of dan rankings and rules and instruction manuals from the Edo period (1603- 1868 AD). Gradually, the style came closer and closer to the style we have today. However, even now, having gone from martial arts to competition, it's practitioners still train their mind, body, and they still maintain proper etiquette. The Gear Required for Kendo Photo：Kendo "Men" The traditional Japanese martial art kendo requires a few pieces of gear. ・防具 Armor ・剣道着 Kendo uniform ・竹刀 Bamboo sword (sometimes wooden swords are used for training) ・小手 Kote(padded gloves to protect the wrists and forearms) ・面 Men(a face mask) ・垂れ Tare(waist protector) ・袴 Hakama(pleated and divided skirt made in fine stripes) You can purchase this gear at kendo specialty stores and kendo shops. For a moment, at 0:14 in the video, you can see the image of the camera attached inside a face mask. You can feel what Kendo is like in this scene. Japanese traditional martial art kendo rules Photo：Referee Kendo is a sport that trains the mind and body. The format of the matches are one-on-one individual matches, but there is also a team competition where 1 winner is crowned. A match in Kendo is between two players until two points are scored, or the time runs out. (One game = Three match) There are 3 valid targets to strike in order to score a point ・Men (the face mask) ・Kote(the padded gloves to protect the wrists and forearms) ・Do (the breastplate) Also, when it comes to matches for college students or older, two-sword style is also possible. It is rare in Japan, but is often seen in overseas kendo matches. Miyamoto Musashi, one of the most popular, and said to be the most powerful swordsmen in the world, was also a master of the two swords. From 0:25, the video introduces a number of matches. Not only do bamboo swords clash, but sometimes competitors are violently struck, propelling them into the air. This is not unexpected however, as it is a combat sport. Summary of the Fascinating, Traditional Japanese Martial Art, Kendo The appeal of kendo, the traditional Japanese martial art, lies in the intensity of the matches. The dignified movements of these swordsmen are the result of daily rigorous training. There are rankings called "dan" in Kendo, but in order to receive a ranking, you must go through a rigorous certification test to obtain the title. The dojo where swordsmen practice everyday is packed with the lives of the swordsmen. Kendo is also said to be a lifelong sport. Please enjoy the video of the Kendo matches, that transcend both age and gender. 【Official Website】All Japan Kendo Federation https://www.kendo.or.jp/en/

Introduction of the video of the famous stick-fighting at the school festival of the National Defense Academy in Yokosuka City, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan. This video was created by ‘wasabiesince2002’ and was entitled ‘Punch! Kick! Hurl! And choke! "Bo-taoshi" of National Defense Academy of Japan is a combat sport!! 2013 National Defense Academy of Japan, the 61st Founding of the Academy Memorial Festival, Bo-taoshi, 1st Match, 1st Game, No.4（殴る！蹴る！投げる！絞める！防衛大学校の棒倒しは格闘技だ！！ H25年 防衛大学校 第61回 開校記念祭 棒倒し 第１回戦第一試合 No.4）’. Usually locked by airtight gates leaving common people with no clue on what’s inside, the National Defense Academy of Japan, introduced in this video, is, in a sense, an unexplored location left in modern-day Japan. Annually, the academy hosts a famous event that is broadcast on TV as well. That event is called "Bo-taoshi" and it is performed during the autumn academy festival: ‘Founding of the Academy Memorial Festival’. Bo-taoshi, that leaves spectators breathless, is more of a combat sport than something you'd see at a school festival. A chaotic brawl of punches, kicks, throws, and chokes leaves many injured! But watching this traditional sport, the students of the National Defense Academy of Japan don’t fail to assure that they are the guardians of Japan's future. Please enjoy the powerful battle between these future self-defense officers in the video. It's sure to be very exciting. The History of the Extreme "Bo-Taoshi" Photo：Self-Defense Officer Bo-taoshi is a traditional event with a long history played in the Imperial Military Academy, Imperial Military Air Force Academy, and the Imperial Naval Academy. It is a precious game that brings the history of modern Japan to the present. Bo-taoshi in the National Defense Academy has been played since 1954 at the ‘Founding of the Academy Festival’ and it is considered one of the three major games of the academy along with the ‘Cutter Games’ and ‘Long-Distance Running’. What Exactly Is "Bo-Taoshi’" Source :YouTube screenshot The autumn academy festival in National Defense Academy is similar to a sports festival. However, Bo-taoshi is a literal fight between youngsters, whose shoulders bare the burden of the security of Japan, and a town sports fesitval comes no where close to this level of brutality. The game is a team sport played by battalions. Each battalion, both the attacking and the defending side, consists of 150 people. The rules are simple: the pole, which is the target of attack, is erected at the center of the field and the attacking side wins if they manage to make it fall within 2 minutes. The defending students, equipped with headgear, first surround the pole and 1 person climbs to the upper end of the pole. Next, 4 students climb to the second stage. This can be seen from 0:10 in the video. At the fire of the starting pistol, the attacking battalion charges fiercely to the pole. This is shown from 1:11 in the video. The defending battalion prevents the charge, and the fight, quite literally, is on. The student at the top of the pole is forcefully brought down from 1:47, and you can see the ferocious onslaught of the attacking side as they attempt to knock the pole down. Some of the students shed tears after the competition, showing that this is the result of the rigorous training they do every day. Becoming the champion is an irreplaceable honor for them. Simple, Yet Complex! Bo-Taoshi and Its Refined Tactics Source :YouTube screenshot At a glance, the attack may seem like a reckless charge, but, in fact, it is thoroughly planned out into a sophisticated strategy. The defending battalion, too, consists of the robust and trained students of the National Defense Academy, so a reckless charge would easily be taken in stride. Because of this, the offense and defense plan out their tactics and act accordingly during the 2-minute game. Here, we'll introduce some basic strategies used in Bo-taoshi. ・Offense Scrum: The attacking battalion forms a scrum and leads the charge toward the pole. The scrum acts as stepping stones after the charge so pole attackers can jump over the barrier and get closer to the top of the pole. Pole attackers: Attackers who jump at the pole and attempt to bring it down. General support attackers: Do anything they can to weaken the defense of the defending battalion. ・Defense Pole support: Hold the pole in the upright position and keep it from being brought down. Ninja: This is the single man at the top of the pole who tries to kick off the pole attackers jumping onto the pole. Killers: Harass and interrupt the attacking enemies. Scrum Disablers: Do whatever they can to invalidate the scrum of the attacking battalion. The Warriors of the Future! Summary of Bo-Taoshi The National Defense Academy’s autumn festival, the ‘Founding of the Academy Memorial Festival,’ which is introduced in this video, is a very important event for the academy. On the day of the event, the academy will be open to the public and anyone can walk around campus. Booths and stands will open inside the property which make for a lively and exciting atmosphere perfect for a school festival. The main event is of course Bo-taoshi, the specialty of the National Defense Academy! Many people visit just for the sake of watching it! Battalions of 150 people brawl over the pole, punching and kicking, and the battalions wear shirts of different colors so that people can see what’s happening more easily. Spectators cheer on the team they want to win with a massive cheer or, at other times, by screaming. Please take your time and enjoy the spectacular game of Bo-taoshi shown throughout the video. 【Official Website】National Defense Academy of Japan – Ministry of Defense・Self-Defense Force https://www.mod.go.jp/nda/english/index.html

The Ancient Ryukyuan Martial Art "Kobudo" This video, titled "８０歳の棒術が速すぎる！沖縄の古武道が超実戦的だった Amazing! A 80-year-old Master, Ryukyu Kobudou," was produced by "kuro-obi world." It introduces Kobudo, an ancient Ryukyuan martial art. From 0:10 in the video, Koutaro Iha, the president of the Ryukyu Society of Ryukyu Kobudo, shows off his brilliant techniques with movements that will have you thinking "there's no way this guy is 80." If you want to learn practical Kobudo, check out the video to learn some awesome techniques! In this article, we'll introduce Ryukyuan Kobudo, alongside the video! What Is Kobudo? Source :YouTube screenshot Ryukyu kobujutsu is an ancient martial art that has been handed down in Okinawa Prefecture since ancient times. It generally utilizes weaponry and is also called Okinawan kobudo, Okinawan kobudo, or Ryukyu kobudo. Ryukyu kobudo has been practiced by samurai since the era of the Ryukyu Kingdom (1429-1879 AD). practiced a wide range of martial arts that involved stick fighting, spears, karate, swords, archery, long swords, nunti, mountain-based sword styles, sais, canes, paddles, tonfa, and more. There are three main types of Ryukyu ancient martial arts schools. Three types: Shinken Taira's system (Ryukyu Kobudo Preservation Society, Ryukyu Kobudo Preservation Society), Motobu Choyu’s system (Motobu Goten Kobu Martial Arts Association), and Matayoshi Shimkou’s system (Kinkou Karate Okinawa Kobujutsu). About the Kobudo in the Video Source :YouTube screenshot This video introduces the appeal of Ryukyuan kobudo at the Ryukonkai dojo. Koutaro Iha of the Ryukyu Kobudo is the chairman of Ryukonkai, and performs stick fighting with a speed and ferocity atypical of an 80 year old man. His son, Mitsutada Iha, is the general director of the Ryukonkai Shudokan general headquarters. Shown at 2:11 in the video, we can see both super practical and practical techniques. In this video, you can see a little bit of the Ryukyu kobudo DVD "Great Heritage 3: The Pilgrim of Martial Arts." In the DVD, you can learn a type of stick fighting called "Sakugawa no Kon." Kobudo is general referred to as a type of budo arts are generally one of martial arts and ancient martial arts, but is a very practical form of budo. Normally, Ryukyu kobudo is fought with a weapon in hand, but if you can't do karate, you can't do kobudo, so it is sometimes practiced with bare hands. From 2:47 in the video, you can see ancient Ryukyuan martial arts techniques, such as "Nunchaku art," "Toma no Tonfa," "Ishikawa Shou kama," "Chikin akachu no Ake," and "Okinawan karate." This DVD is available at the Toei Video Online Shop. Summary of Kobudo Source :YouTube screenshot The video produced by "Kuro-obi world" shows the skills of an 80 year old Ryukyu Kobudo master. You can see the kobudo master, who has incredible mental, technical and physical abilities, carefully teaching the techniques of Ryukyu kobudo. Be sure to check it out of you still haven't yet!

Video introduction of training at the Takadagawa stable in Koto-ku, Tokyo. This video titled “SUMO- A DAY in the Life at Takadagawa Stable” is a Sumo stable coverage video, created by “nippon.com”. Sumo, a Japanese national sport, is a sport that attracts attention not only in Japan, but also overseas. However, it is usually not known what kind of training the Sumo wrestlers do. Check out the video for a detailed introduction on the rigorous Sumo wrestling exercises. What Is Sumo Wrestling? a Look Into Its History and How It Is Performed Photo：Sumo Wrestlers Battling Sumo is a "Bushido" (Martial art) that originates in the ancient Shinto rituals of Japan, and the wrestlers battle while the “Gyoji” judges their play. "Honbasho" (an official professional sumo tournament) is an important performance where the Sumo wrestlers are ranked. There are also regional tours that are held in various areas such as Fukuoka (福岡, Fukuoka) and Nagoya (名古屋, Nagoya). Many Sumo fans come to the venue to get a glimpse of the powerful Sumo wrestling, that wrestlers from each Sumo stable, such as Yokozuna and Ozeki wrestlers, participate in. The Training of Takadagawa Stable Source :YouTube screenshot The stable covered in this video is Takadagawa Stable in Kiyosumi Shirakawa (清澄白河, Kiyosumi Shirakawa), Tokyo (東京, Tokyo), and it is known as the stable that Ryūden Gōshi belongs to. As shown at 0:15 in the video, the Sumo wrestlers begin their morning exercise with a warm-up at 7:00 O'clock. The first step is to get their bodies warm using movements such as “Shiko” (Sumo-style leg stomps), “Suriashi”, and “Teppo”. The “Oyakata” (master of the room) seen at 0:44 in the video, enters the training room together with Katsumi Takadagawa at 8:30. The wrestlers’ head-to-head exercises, introduced from 1:13 in the video, is the training of wrestlers from the lower ranks. As you see from 1:45 in the video, Katsumi Takadagawa, the master, also wears Sumo wear and coaches enthusiastically. Finally, “Makuuchi Rikishi” Sumo wrestlers rise to the ring and perform their head-to-head defensive exercises. Taishi Kagayaki, introduced at 1:49 in the video, is also one of the wrestlers in the Makuuchi division. Source :YouTube screenshot After the exercise finishes at 11:00, Lunch starts at 11:30. The meal is “Chanko Nabe” (a type of hot pot) introduced from 2:54 in the video. It is a traditional custom that the master (Oyakata) and “Sekitori” start eating first. The wrestlers don’t eat before the exercise introduced above, so their first meal is lunch. At 12:30 after the meal, Tokoyama (a hairdresser for Sumo wrestler) ties the Sekitori wrestler’s hair in a private room. Wrestlers other than Sekitori, who have finished cleaning after meal then have their free time. In addition to Tokoyama, which is featured in the video, Okami is also an important person who supports the Sumo Room. Summary of Exercises at Takadagawa Stable Source :YouTube screenshot The impressive and powerful performances seen at the main Sumo wrestling venues and local tours are the result of constant daily training. Depending on the Sumo stable, they may open the training to the public so you can visit, so be sure to check their official websites if you want to attend. If you want to support Japanese Sumo wrestling, think about joining a Sumo stable!

This video, titled "[Niigata] Yuzawa Longboarding" (「新潟」湯沢ロングスケートボード), was released by "Downhill Baka" (ダウンヒルバカ). There are many different kinds of skateboarding events. One of them is downhill longboarding. In this event, longboarders compete for the best time down the mountain pass. The average speed down the mountain pass is between 60 to 70 km/h. At the fastest points, riders can reach up to 90 km/h. The number of people who love skateboarding is still small in Japan, but those who do skate, love the sport. The video shows longboarding in Yuzawa, Niigata Prefecture. Check out the video to see how fast they go down a long downhill slope on their longboards.

This video, titled "KARATE OLYMPICS FOREVER in Hokkaido 20170219 Making オリンピックPR in 北海道 [PV]," was released by "KARATE WORLD TV - produced by JKFan." Japan's traditional art of karate, which has enthusiasts all over the world, has been designated as an official event at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. The video was shot in Hokkaido in the extreme cold of winter, and shows children hoping that karate will continue to be an official sport of the Olympics. In the mountain where snow is still falling, children dressed in karate uniforms practice punches over and over again! After the exercise is completed, each child holds up a piece of paper saying "KARATE OLYMPICS FOREVER" and together, the children and adults chant it with all their heart. This video was also broadcast at World Karate Day in Germany in 2017.

The Basketball Robot, CUE4, in Action! This video, titled "CUE4, a Basketball Robot Powered by Cutting Edge AI Technology, Takes on the World's First 3-Point Contest! B.LEAGUE ALL-STAR 2020 IN HOKKAIDO" (最先端の AI テクノロジーを結集したバスケットボールロボットCUE4が世界初3ポイントコンテストに挑戦！ B.LEAGUE ALL-STAR 2020 IN HOKKAIDO), released by "B.LEAGUE," introduces the latest basketball robot. The first thing you see when you play the video is the amazing sight of an AI basketball robot making a spectacular shot. Let's take a look at this basketball robot, which moves with the dexterity of a professional basketball player! The Basketball Robot, "CUE4" Source :YouTube screenshot CUE4, the basketball robot sinking shots left and right, was created by a group of Toyota volunteers, and is an AI technology robot filled with the wisdom of its development team. CUE4 is the fourth robot in the CUE series, and joined Alvark Tokyo, a professional basketball team in the B1 professional basketball league, in 2018 as a professional basketball player. CUE4 made a whopping 12 successful shots in the few minutes shown in the video. What Kind of Activities Is CUE4 Used For Source :YouTube screenshot This video shows footage from the B-League All-Star game held at the Hokkaido Prefectural Sports Center. CUE4, a basketball robot wearing a team uniform, makes a spectacular shot at the half-time show, as shown in the video. It uses an avant-garde system in which sensors determine the location of the hoop and artificial intelligence takes a series of shots. In the video, the robot grabs the balls lined up next to it and makes free throws with impressive form. You can also see it smoothly glide across the court at 0:39 in the video, exciting the fans! His fluid movements are like those of a real professional basketball player! CUE4, the first robot to play professional basketball, made headlines when he was loaned to the Levanga Hokkaido in 2020. CUE4's uniform number is "94". CUE4 Certified in the Guinness Book of World Records! Photo：Guinness CUE4 was registered in the Guinness Book of World Records under the category "most consecutive free throws made by a humanoid robot." The previous record was held by his predecessor, CUE3. In the future, the team aims to improve the power, speed and accuracy of CUE4 so that it may take on the 3-point contest. Summary of the Basketball Robot, CUE 4 Source :YouTube screenshot CUE4, featured in the video, is a professional basketball robot developed by a team at Toyota. The video, which is only about 2 minutes long, has been played over 1 million times in the months since its release. Check out the amazing skills of CUE4 as he sinks shots left and right! 【Official website】B.LEAGUE https://translation2.j-server.com/LUCBLEAGUE/ns/tl.cgi/https://www.bleague.jp/?SLANG=ja&TLANG=en&XMODE=0&XJSID=0

This video, titled "Nippon Sport Science University・Precision Marching 2019 / Kanagawa Shimbun (Kanaloco)" (日体大・集団行動2019／神奈川新聞（カナロコ）), was released by "kanaloco." Precision marching is when a group makes disciplined movements all at once. At the "Physical Education Research and Demonstration Presentation" held by the Nippon Sport Science University, incredible performances, that would surprise even people from abroad, are held. Their perfectly coordinated performance is enough to give you goosebumps if it's your first time seeing it. It's amazing that each person acts individually, but when viewed as a whole, they are united as one. The perfect timing that allows them to not bump into each other during intersecting situations is incredible. It's a performance that will have you wondering how it's even possible when there are no markers or landmarks used.

What is Battojutsu? This video, titled "Kazaana/Battojutsu version," was uploaded by "Takayuki Kanayama." If you're a fan of manga or anime, you've probably seen or heard of battojutsu, a martial art using a Japanese sword. Yes, battojutsu is the sword art used by Kenshin Himura (Battousai the Manslayer), the main character in the popular anime/manga, "Rurouni Kenshin." If you want to know more about battojutsu, this is a video you don’t want to miss! Battojutsu, as the name implies (抜刀術: 抜/ba - Draw, 刀/tou - Sword, 術/jutsu - Technique), is the art of cutting down an opponent with a single blow by drawing a sword from its scabbard when attacked by an enemy. It's a one-hit kill sword technique, but in the unlikely event that you're attacked again, you can make sure that you kill your would-be-assailant by dodging his sword and hitting him with a second strike. You can see the two opposing swordsmen dueling at 0:40, 1:01, 1:52 and 2:12 in the video, and see just how effective battojutsu is. The History of Battojutsu Photo：Japanese sword・Battojutsu Battojutsu has a long history and is said to have been systematized approximately 400 years ago during the Muromachi (1336-1573 AD) and Edo (1603-1868 AD) periods. It's a traditional Japanese martial art and was considered to be an essential sword technique for samurai. There are a number of schools, the most famous of which are Tenshin Shoden Katori Shinto-ryu and Tatsumi-ryu. At the end of the Muromachi Period, the Hayashizaki style emerged, including schools such as Muso Jikiden Eishin-ryu, which was derived from the school established by Hayashizaki Shigenobu (Jinsuke), who specialized in battojutsu. Even today, there are dojos all over Japan where you can learn battojutsu, so if you're interested, consider trying it out! The equipment needed for practicing battojutsu is a dojo uniform, a practice sword, and a kaku obi. The Differences Between Battojutsu and Iaijutsu Photo：A Japanese sword・Battojutsu One of the most famous martial arts that uses Japanese swords is iaijutsu. In fact, iaijutsu is also a form of battojutsu. In the Edo Period, drawing a sword from a seated position was called iai, and drawing a sword from a standing position was called tachiai. Battojutsu is also known as iai (居合), iaijutsu (居合術), nukiai (抜合), iai (居相), saya no uchi (鞘の内), bakken (抜剣), etc. depending on the region or school. It is said that kendo developed from tachiai as a practice martial art, without the use of serious weapons and with protective gear. Battojutsu techniques include koiguchi wo kiru, putting one's hand on the hilt of the sword, drawing the sword, brandishing the sword, downwards slashes, zanshin, chiburi (flicking blood off one's sword), and returning the sword to its scabbard. Koikuchi wo kiri (鯉口を切る) is a technique before drawing the sword, in which you push the katana out of its saya (scabbard) by its tsuba. This action can be seen at the start of sword fighting scenes in historical dramas. In iaijutsu, this technique indicates that you are in a "fighting stance." Summary of Battojutsu, a Sword Fighting Technique of Japan's Samurai Photo：A Japanese sword・Battojutsu In Japanese martial arts, techniques that do not use weapons are called taijutsu (体術), while those that use bladed weapons, such as katana and naginata, are called kenjutsu (剣術). Battojutsu is a type of kenjutsu that does not use as much power as taijutsu, but it is said to be one of the most advanced forms of kenjutsu because it requires intense concentration. Matches are decided in the instant the sword is drawn, leaving audiences on the edge of their seats!

Introducing Teqball! The video this time is "【Soccer × Table Tennis】the New Sport 'Teqball' Gaining Popularity All Over the World" (【サッカー×卓球】世界で人気が高まっている新スポーツ「テックボール」). It's an introductory video for Teqball, a new sport attracting attention worldwide! Teqball, shown in the video, is a fusion between soccer and table tennis, using elements from each sport. Since 2014, the new sport Teqball has slowly increased in numbers, to the point that it had its first World Cup in Hungary, in 2017. Presently, the popular soccer player Ronaldinho acts as an ambassador for the sport and is receiving a lot of attention worldwide. The Rules of Teqball Source :YouTube screenshot Teqball is a sport that was thought up by a Hungarian soccer player and a computer scientist. It is a sport that is played in teams of 2 or 3 players, and at 0:27 in the video, you can see the curved table used for the sport, called "Teqball One." Players use methods such as juggling or headers to hit the ball onto the opponents side. Teqball has fairly basic rules, such as “The ball must be returned to the opponent’s court after a maximum of 3 touches,” “The ball cannot be touched by the same body part in succession,” and “players cannot touch the Teq board.” The rules are quite simple and after getting used to the juggle, etc., you can enjoy the sport to its fullest. Japan and Teqball Source :YouTube screenshot In 2017, the Japan Teqball Federation was founded, and at the World Cup in 2017, Japanese players who competed in the doubles division achieved top 8. At the 2nd World Cup, held in France in 2018, a Japanese competitor placed top 8 in the singles division as well. The Teqball representatives of Japan are mainly men, but there are female competitors, such as Kanae Sugawara, that are also very active in the sport. Summary of Teqball Source :YouTube screenshot Teqball, introduced in the footage, is a sport with a short history. However, the player base is on the rise. For those of you looking to challenge yourself with a new sport, or just wanting to try something new, be sure to give Teqball a try! Unfortunately, Teqball boards can be fairly expensive so it might be difficult to buy one for private use. Recently, there have been events in which you can experience Teqball in Kyoto or Osaka, so if you're interested, consider participating!