毬杖ぎっちょう

noun

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.

• 昔むかしは正しょう月がつに毬杖ぎっちょうを楽たのしむ風ふう習しゅうがあった。

  In the past, there was a custom of enjoying 毬杖 during the New Year.

• この絵え巻まきには毬杖ぎっちょうに興きょうじる人ひと々びとが描えがかれている。

  This picture scroll depicts people playing 毬杖.