Origin of cricket
There are various theories about the origin of cricket, but the most influential one is that it originated from the play that the British shepherds were doing to take a break.
The play was to hit a stone thrown by a shepherd with a stick that he used at work to prevent him from entering a friendly gate.
Based on this play, rules were gradually developed and eventually spread as entertainment for people.
Since the 17th century, Britain has expanded its territory all over the world and spread all over the world such as India, South Africa and Australia.
Origin of the name “cricket”
There are various theories about the origin of cricket.
Among them, the leading theory
The theory that it is based on the cricket’s bark
The theory that it is based on the words for sticks and crutches
Two of.
I will introduce each theory.
Cricket bark theory
The first theory is that it is based on the cricket’s bark.
The cricket’s bark is “chrip” in English. Is it something like “kuri” in Japanese?
The spelling of crickets is “cricket” after the cricket “chrip”, but the sound produced when hitting the ball with a bat is similar to the cricket’s bark, so this competition is called “cricket”, “cricket”. It is said that it came to be called.
Stick-cut theory
Another theory is that it is based on words that describe crutches and crutches in various places.
For example, in Flanders, a stick is called “krick”, in Anglo-Saxon, a prop is called “Cricc-Crycc”, and in English, a crutch is called “crutch”. In addition, it is said that it was called “cricket”.
“Cricket” also means fair
Cricket is regarded as a “gentleman’s sport” and loved in England, the country of origin. For this reason, the word “cricket” has the added meaning of “fair play.”
From there, the word “not cricket” was coined to mean “unfair” or “inappropriate.” Also, in the word “play cricket”, if you read it as it is, it means “to play cricket”, but it may also be used to mean “behave in a fair and honest manner”.
Spread around the world after the 17th century
Cricket, the third most popular sport in the world.
As I mentioned in the origin theory, it is said that cricket spread all over the world after the 17th century.
The reason for this was that the British Empire at that time expanded its territory worldwide.
With the expansion of the territory, cricket spread all over the world.
It is still a popular sport in the British colonial nations of the time, and is practiced as a summer national sport in England and Australia.
The fastest rule-making among sports originating in England
In addition to cricket, there are many sports that originated in the United Kingdom, such as rugby, tennis, and soccer, but the rules for cricket were unified in 1774, and the rules were established earlier than in other sports.
A professional team was born in 1846. It will be a sport that many people can enjoy.
In addition, due to the unified rules, international games will also be held.
In 1859, All England traveled to the United States and Canada. Exchanges with various countries have become more frequent.
The rules haven’t changed much
The cricket rules were enacted in 1835. It is said that the “Marilla Bone Cricket Club”, the oldest sports club in the world, was established. The sport’s rules are revised repeatedly, but the cricket rules have been revised only four times. Considering that many sports are operated with many rule revisions, you can see how the cricket rules were put in place from the beginning. It was before and after the Meiji Restoration that was introduced to Japan
Cricket was introduced to Japan before and after the Meiji Restoration. Allegedly brought by the Royal Navy.
Then, foreigners will start playing in various parts of Japan, and it will gradually be transmitted to the Japanese.
In 1898, Japan’s first cricket club “Yokohama Country & Athletic Club” was born. The first cricket ground in the country was created.
It was expected that it would continue to develop, but unlike other countries, the popularity of other sports such as baseball was high, and the popularity of cricket did not increase.
Development of cricket in Japan
The turning point for cricket in Japan was 1980. A local volunteer who was introduced to the competition by Professor Makoto Yamada of Kobe City University of Foreign Studies started researching cricket and opened the first Japanese cricket club. The club has been active for about 10 years, and the university has incorporated cricket into its physical education skills in recognition of its achievements.
In 1987, seven years after the birth of the cricket club at Kobe City University of Foreign Studies, the cricket club was born at Keio University. Then, in 1989, Senshu University and Chuo University, in 1900, Waseda University, in 1992, Tokyo Institute of Technology, in 1994, Aoyama Gakuin University and Sacred Heart Women’s University, and many other universities started their activities. did.
In 1998, a club was established at an elementary school in Gifu prefecture, and many Japanese-led adult clubs were established by members who continue to play after graduating from university. Shizuoka prefecture, Aichi prefecture, Gunma prefecture, and Kanagawa prefecture. Even now, the number of clubs of a wide range of ages is increasing nationwide, with the number of clubs being led by foreigners living in Japan.
Summary
Cricket is a popular sport for many people, with a competitive population of 3rd place after basketball and soccer.
Although the scale in Japan is still small, the number of clubs is increasing in a wide range of age groups, and future development is expected.