Tennis Birthplace of Japan Yokohama Yamate Park | NHK
The Australian Open, one of the grand slams of tennis, has begun.
By the way, the world’s most popular sports ・The birthplace of tennis in Japan is in Yokohamaof
Did you know?
Yamate Park, where tennis was played for the first time in Japan
It started in 1876 (Meiji 9), when five tennis courts were set up in Yamate Park, where tennis was played.
wasThe park was established in 1870 (Meiji 3) as a recreational area for foreign residents.Japan’s first Western-style parkIt is also designated as a national scenic spot.
The photo monumentRoller stones used to maintain tennis courtsmade by carving out
I was.
history of tennis
In the park “Yokohama Yamate Tennis Origin Memorial Hall“there is. Tennis rackets from 100 years ago and
Many historical exhibits such as photographs are displayed.
“I also enjoy playing tennis once a week.”
Kanagawa Prefecture has produced many famous tennis players. (National/regional competition Japan women’s national team coachAi SugiyamaMr. and the men’s national team coachGo SoedaIn addition to Mr.Kamio RiceMr. Miss,Yuuka YoshidaMr. Miss,Hozumi EriMr. Miss,Shintaro Mochizukietc.)
The current Kanagawa Prefecture Tennis Association has less than 70,000 registered members. The number is said to be the second largest in Japan, next to Tokyo.
Impact of the Great Kanto Earthquake
Originally, the tennis courts here were grass courts, which are now very rare.
However, due to the effects of the Great Kanto Earthquake, things have changed dramatically.
General Manager of Yamate Park Public Interest Incorporated FoundationFumio IshiiMr. Miss.
After the Great Kanto EarthquakeIt seems that a large number of victims have evacuated to this park. At that time, it becomes difficult to maintain the lawn,changed to clay courtsI hear.
The soil here is the same as the sumo ring.Arakida clayThat’s right!
Mr. Osada: “Even now that the court has become a clay court, careful maintenance of the court is essential.”
Thanks to the skillful skills of the court keepers and the daily efforts, we have reached the present.
Currently, there are six tennis courts operated by Yokohama City, and advance reservations are required.
For more informationHP of Yamate ParkPlease confirm.
On the day I visited, many people were enjoying playing.
“Japan’s first Himalayan cedar”
Why is the center of the net low?
Finally, there is the quiz. Table tennis, badminton, volleyball, and rubber tennis nets are all straight from end to end and have a constant height.
but,A tennis net is low in the middle.Why?
There are various theories about the origin of tennis.Around the 11th centuryThe theory that France is the most influential,At that time, there was no technology to stretch the net straight from end to end, so the center part was slack.was.In order to play under the same conditions even after the technique of setting up the net has improved, the central part is strapped.
It is said to have been fixed with
By all means, how about coming into contact with history in this park, enjoying the scenery, and working up a good sweat with a game of tennis?
accessAddress: 230 Yamate-cho, Naka-ku, Yokohama-shi, Kanagawa Train: 12-minute walk from JR Ishikawa-cho Station South Exit 15-minute walk from Minatomirai Line Motomachi-Chukagai Station Motomachi Exit
