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In this article, we'll delve into the origins of the merry-go-round.
Speaking of "tournament",
It's something like the above picture, right?
The original meaning of "tournament" refers to the "lance games on horseback" performed by medieval knights. As the name suggests, it's a competition where two riders fight using lances.
In Japan, the term "tournament" typically denotes a competition format like the one shown above, due to the legacy of medieval lance games.
Here's a quote from Keiko Nakae's "The Origins of Sportsmanship":
"The biggest attraction at the opening of a horseback tournament was when all knights and officers, accompanied by their ladies, paraded around the field as a form of greeting to the ladies and spectators."
-- （中江 桂子『スポーツマンシップの起源』 p53）
This circular procession laid the foundation for the merry-go-round.
Tournament's procession = Merry-Go-Round The term "tournament" derives from the Latin word "tournus", meaning a "rotating platform". The most exciting event, the horseback lance game, was named after it.
Commoners could only witness the extravagant appearances of nobles and knights during these times, and this dazzling procession eventually inspired the design of the merry-go-round.
-- （中江 桂子『スポーツマンシップの起源』 p53）
The horseback lance games began with this grand procession, followed by the competition itself. One can liken it to the Olympic Games' opening ceremony.
Even today, the merry-go-round remains a staple in amusement parks. It's hard to fathom just how captivating the original merry-go-rounds must have been during medieval times.
-- （中江 桂子『スポーツマンシップの起源』 p53）
The next time you ride a merry-go-round at an amusement park, reminisce about the knights and noblewomen of the medieval times. When watching friends or family ride, imagine the views seen by the commoners back then.
(There are various theories about the origins of the merry-go-round, such as it being a way for knights to practice lance games by tying horses to a pillar and rotating around it.)
