historical New Year's ball-and-mallet game
A traditional game played during the New Year period, similar to field hockey or polo, using a wooden mallet and a ball. Also refers to the mallet itself. The reading きゅうじょう is restricted to the 毬杖 spelling.
In the past, there was a custom of enjoying 毬杖 during the New Year.
This picture scroll depicts people playing 毬杖.
Standard kanji spelling for the historical game and the mallet used in it.
Kana spelling, useful for learners since the kanji are rare.
Alternate kanji spelling, less common than 毬杖.
The word ぎっちょう is of uncertain origin. The kanji 毬杖 literally mean 'ball staff', reflecting the equipment used. The reading きゅうじょう is the on'yomi of these characters.