Cuju: The Ancient Chinese Game That Held an Empire Together

This paper explores how cuju, an ancient sport known as the predecessor of modern football, evolved from the Han to Song dynasties (206 BCE–1368 CE) as a unifying force in imperial China. Calling upon primary sources such as ancient cuju manuals and various art pieces suggests this sport's importance went beyond a leisurely practice. Using academic journals about Chinese history and the development of cuju from different academic fields and, most notably, the FIFA museum’s online exhibit of cuju, the reason cuju had such a strong place of value in Chinese society was apparent. Beginning as a combat exercise in the Han dynasty's military, cuju expanded, eventually breaking social barriers, offering moments where class divisions blurred, even allowing women, despite strict patriarchal norms, opportunities to participate, and helping imperial leaders foster unity where political systems fell short. Part of the panel: Tools of Resistance and UnityModerator: Professor William York