Cuju

Cuju is a primitive form of soccer that originated in China during the Han Dynasty as means of military training. With game design and rules similar to that of soccer (the only difference being the evolution of the ball), and is a game that is played even till this day, not only in China, but also all over the world. From tournaments that happened only within the Dynasty, it eventually spread out to present day tournaments, such as FIFA World Cup.

Rules

The rules of the games is very similar to that of present day Soccer. The field is similar to that of Soccer as well and the objective is to get the ball from one side of the field to the other. The only difference between cuju and present day soccer, is that the players were never in contact, because there was a net separating the players that were a dozen meters high.

History

Cuju is the world's oldest form of Soccer (or Football as it is called in Europe). With it's literal translation of "Cu" meaning "To Kick" and "Ju" being a leather case covering the insides that is feathers, this game was originated in China during the Han Dynasty (206 BCE - 220 CE) and was considered a hit in both the Imperial family and the Military that even according to the Historians, the Emperor Wu Di, a huge fan of the game. The game has underwent several developments over the years such as during the Tang Era where the ball was replaced from being a bunch of feathers in a leather covering (sometimes even animal bladder) to one of two layers of leather and the insides replaced with air (very much like the balls in the present). The ball's final design became that of the common day soccer ball with the eight patches sewn together with air in the inside.

Game Design Elements

An analysis of the game design elements of this game.

The game has a very simple design element:

• 1. You could not touch it with your hand, only your feet.

  2. You have to get the ball from one side of the field to the other, and making it go into the goal to score a point.

  3. The team with the most points win the game (depending on time mainly).

Art

The only art element within Cuju, was that some people took the cuju ball and did performances with the ball, such as ball balancing, juggling, and doing ball maneuvers using every part of their body, except their hands.

References

• • http://www.radio86.co.uk/explore-learn/health-sports/sports/3803/cuju-the-worlds-oldest-form-of-football

  • http://www.chinaculture.org/library/2008-01/25/content_127346.htm

  • http://features.cultural-china.com/cuju/

Links