What countries play Bo-Taoshi?
In Japan, there’s an unusual sport called Bo-taoshi which is a capture-the-flag-like game. Bo-taoshi translates to “bring pole down”. It is a rugged game played by cadets of Japan’s National Defense Academy during its anniversary, where two teams of 150 players compete for each other’s pole.
Why do people play Bo-Taoshi?
It is thought that the sport was first played in 1945 by the Japanese militia, as a way of preparing them for battle in a tumultuous period for the country. This would explain why the National Defense Academy of Japan’s new cadets play bouts of Bo-taoshi as part of the institution’s famous annual induction ceremony.
How tall is a Bo-Taoshi pole?
10-16 feet high
Each of the two teams are massive — comprised of a 75-person offensive squad and a 75-person defensive squad. Defensive players wear white while the offense wears their team colors. The defensive team is tasked with keeping their pole (which run 10-16 feet high) standing upright.
Where did Bo-Taoshi originate from?
The game was played by students in Kagoshima in southern Japan who may have brought it to the naval academy in Hiroshima prefecture. It may be the origin of the botaoshi still played at the National Defense Academy.
Which Japanese team sport has 150 members?
A single game of Botaoshi can have up to 150 players, 75 on each side, and every Botaoshi player has a unique role and position to play. To start, a small group of defenders referred to as the Pole Support group lock their legs at the base of the pole, forming what is the base of a human shield.
What is the most unknown sport?
The 18 Strangest “Sports” In The World
- Extreme Ironing.
- Wife Carrying.
- Underwater Hockey.
- Bossaball.
- Zorbing.
- Cheese Rolling.
- Parkour.
- Bog Snorkelling.
What are the top 10 weirdest sports?
Here are 10 of the weirdest sports you can play in your travels across the globe.
- Wife-Carrying (Finland)
- Sepak Takraw (Malayasia)
- Hornussen (Switzerland)
- Buzkashi (Afghanistan)
- Bossaball (Spain)
- Ferret-legging (England)
- Kabaddi (Bangladesh)
- Capoeira (Brazil)
What is the strangest Olympic sport?
30 Weirdest Olympic Sports of All Time
- Tug of War. Olympic sport: 1900-20.
- Live Pigeon Shooting. Olympic sport: 1900.
- Ballooning. Olympic sport: 1900.
- Surf Lifesaving. Olympic sport: 1900.
- Glima. Olympic sport: 1912.
- Gliding. Olympic sport: 1936.
- Kaatsen. Olympic sport: 1928.
- Korfball. Olympic sport: 1920, 1928.
What is the least known sport?
Top 10 Least Popular Sports In The World
- Archery.
- Fencing.
- Kabaddi.
- Chess Boxing.
- Unicycle Hockey.
- Redneck Games.
- Wife Carrying.
- Extreme Ironing.
What is bo-taoshi in Japan?
In Japan, there’s an unusual sport called Bo-taoshi which is a capture-the-flag-like game. Bo-taoshi translates to “bring pole down”. It is a rugged game played by cadets of Japan’s National Defense Academy during its anniversary, where two teams of 150 players compete for each other’s pole. It is also commonly played during school’s sports days.
How many players are in a bo-taoshi team?
Bo-Taoshi teams consist of 75 offensive players and 75 defensive players. With that many players on a team, having special positions and roles seems a bit insane, but there are Bo-Taoshi positions nevertheless.
How do you play bo taoshi?
Their main goal is to contest the front line of the defense, and allow the pole attackers to use them as a stepping stone or springboard, so they can climb and jump over them in a leap towards the pole. The Bo-Taoshi players wear protective headgear and are not allowed to wear shoes.
Is bo-taoshi the most outlandish sport ever created?
The Japanese sport Bo-Taoshi, which translates to “bring pole down,” may be the most outlandish sport ever created, and although it may seem laughable to outsiders, it is a very serious and potentially dangerous competition. The sport can be dated back to around 1945, and is thought to have been invented as part of Japanese military training.