鞠
Meanings
1
A traditional or soft ball, often made of cloth or used in games like handball. Can also refer to modern balls in certain contexts, but ボール is more common for Western-style sports balls.
The children are playing by bouncing a ball.
My grandmother made me a cloth ball.
2
kemari; ancient Japanese football
Only when written 鞠 / 毬
Specifically refers to the traditional court game kemari (蹴鞠), where players kick a deerskin ball and keep it in the air. Restricted to kanji 鞠 and 毬.
See also: 蹴鞠
Kemari was a pastime of the nobility in the Heian period.
Usage patterns
- 〈物〉をつくto bounce a ball
The child is playing by bouncing a ball.
- 〈物〉を蹴るto kick the (kemari) ball
The nobles of the Heian period enjoyed kicking the kemari ball.