When soccer tournaments such as the World Cup take over the global stage, few realize that the earliest form of this beloved sport originated not in Europe, but in ancient China.
The Origin of Tsu'Chu
Tsu'Chu is documented in classical texts such as “Strategies of the Warring States” and “Records of the Grand Historian,” both referencing its popularity in Linzi, the capital of the Qi state during the Warring States period (circa 475 B.C.–221 B.C.).The name “Tsu'Chu” combines tsu (to kick) and chu (ball). According to the Qing Dynasty collection “Jianhu Shouji” by Chu Renhuo, early Han Dynasty balls were made of leather and stuffed with animal hair.
Tsu'Chu Rules in the Han Dynasty
Tsu'Chu became more formalized during the Han Dynasty (206 B.C.–A.D. 220). It was valued as a structured physical activity with both tactical and moral significance.The scholar Li You wrote “Inscription of the Ball Field,” detailing the field design and game rules. The playing field symbolized yin and yang; each end featured six moon-shaped goals called “chu chambers.” Matches were played between two teams of 12.
- Referees must be impartial: “No favoritism, no personal bias.”
- Players must show good conduct: “Stay calm and do not blame others.”
- Captains and referees were to be elected, and rules followed consistently.
Golden Age in the Tang Dynasty
During the Tang Dynasty (618–907), solid balls were replaced with air-filled ones, allowing for greater bounce and agility and leading to new techniques and styles of play.Wang Wei, a famous poet in the Tang Dynasty, once wrote: “The ball was so high, it soared beyond the birds.”
Highest-Ranking Soccer Player
When it comes to emperors who played Tsu’Chu, Emperor Taizu of the Song Dynasty (960–1279) was the highest-ranking player. The painting “Emperor Taizu Playing Tsu’Chu,” by Song dynasty artist Su Hanchen, shows Emperor Taizu kicking the ball, joined by his close minister Zhao Pu. Four others were watching them.World’s First Recorded Starting Formation
The Southern Song record Wulin Old Stories listed a full lineup of 32 players, possibly the world’s first recorded starting formation, with positions similar to those in modern soccer.Players were not allowed to use their hands, and the ball could not touch the ground during passing. The sequence would continue until the ball was returned to the player taking the kickoff, who would attempt a goal by kicking the ball through the goal, which was called the “wind-flowing eye”—placed high on two poles. Scoring a goal counted as a win for that round.
Decline and Legacy
Despite its long and vibrant history, Tsu'Chu declined during the Ming and Qing dynasties.Emperor Hongwu issued bans due to excessive indulgence of the high-ranking officials and military officers in the game, and punishments were severe: Some players reportedly had their feet amputated as punishment.
By the Qing era, Tsu'Chu had lost its noble image and faded from cultural prominence. Yet, its legacy as the world’s first organized soccer lives on, offering a rich and surprising chapter in the global story of sport.
