In Photos: Japan's ancient football game played in colorful robes at Kyoto shrine

Members of the preservation group Shukiku Hozonkai participate in an ancient "kemari" football game at Shimogamo Shrine in Kyoto's Sakyo Ward on Jan. 4, 2022. (Mainichi/Kazuki Yamazaki)

Members of the preservation group Shukiku Hozonkai participate in an ancient "kemari" football game at Shimogamo Shrine in Kyoto's Sakyo Ward on Jan. 4, 2022. (Mainichi/Kazuki Yamazaki)

Members of the preservation group Shukiku Hozonkai participate in an ancient "kemari" football game in front of worshippers at Shimogamo Shrine in Kyoto's Sakyo Ward on Jan. 4, 2022. (Mainichi/Kazuki Yamazaki)

Members of the preservation group Shukiku Hozonkai participate in an ancient "kemari" football game at Shimogamo Shrine in Kyoto's Sakyo Ward on Jan. 4, 2022. (Mainichi/Kazuki Yamazaki)

Visitors take photos of an ancient "kemari" football game at Shimogamo Shrine in Kyoto's Sakyo Ward on Jan. 4, 2022. (Mainichi/Kazuki Yamazaki)

A member of the "kemari" preservation group Shukiku Hozonkai holds the ball used in the ancient football game during a New Year event at Shimogamo Shrine in Kyoto's Sakyo Ward on Jan. 4, 2022. (Mainichi/Kazuki Yamazaki)

A member of the "kemari" preservation group Shukiku Hozonkai brings the ball used in the ancient football game into the quad to start a game at Shimogamo Shrine in Kyoto's Sakyo Ward on Jan. 4, 2022. (Mainichi/Kazuki Yamazaki)

Members of the preservation group Shukiku Hozonkai are seen about to commence playing a game of ancient "kemari" football at Shimogamo Shrine in Kyoto's Sakyo Ward on Jan. 4, 2022. (Mainichi/Kazuki Yamazaki)

Members of the "kemari" preservation group Shukiku Hozonkai observe a ritual during a New Year event at Shimogamo Shrine in Kyoto's Sakyo Ward on Jan. 4, 2022. (Mainichi/Kazuki Yamazaki)

A member of the "kemari" preservation group Shukiku Hozonkai accepts the ball used in the ancient football game along with a pine tree branch from a priestess during a New Year event at Shimogamo Shrine in Kyoto's Sakyo Ward on Jan. 4, 2022. (Mainichi/Kazuki Yamazaki)

A member of the preservation group Shukiku Hozonkai participates in the ancient "kemari" football game at Shimogamo Shrine in Kyoto's Sakyo Ward on Jan. 4, 2022. (Mainichi/Kazuki Yamazaki)

A member of the "kemari" preservation group Shukiku Hozonkai wears a vividly colored robe during a New Year event at Shimogamo Shrine in Kyoto's Sakyo Ward on Jan. 4, 2022. (Mainichi/Kazuki Yamazaki)