巴蒂斯塔是什么人种,戴夫巴蒂斯坦是黑人吗

< lang="en">

Dave Bautista's Race

Dave Bautista, born January 18, 1969, in Washington, D.C., is a white American professional actor and former professional wrestler. He is known for his time in WWE, where he won the WWE World Heavyweight Championship in 2008.

WWE Bautista's Race

This is a humorous, non-literal answer. Dave Bautista is human, but his personality and wrestling skills are often described as incredibly powerful and impressive, hence the humorous reference to him being from "Mars" with "explosive" capabilities.

Why Does Cuba Allow Guantanamo Bay?

The relationship between Cuba and the United States has always been complex, with a history of political tension. The establishment of the Guantanamo Bay Naval Base on Cuban soil presents a unique and intriguing situation.

Guantanamo Bay Naval Base, located in Guantanamo Bay, southeastern Cuba, spans 117 square kilometers. This strategic location offers a vast, secure harbor, allowing swift access to the Gulf of Mexico, the Panama Canal, and the Atlantic Ocean.

The base boasts excellent defense capabilities, with a long, narrow entry point protected by natural barriers like swamps and mountainous reefs, making it challenging to invade. Its deep waters can accommodate large warships, and surrounding land allows for self-sufficiency with cultivated crops. This ideal location has always been a strategic focal point.

The United States has built two ports, a significant military airport, numerous barracks, prisons, and a large naval anchorage at the base. It is the sole U.S. military base within a socialist country, highlighting its unique geopolitical status.

During periods of heightened tensions or secret military operations, reflective mirrors are deployed by the U.S. military to prevent observation from Cuba.

The enduring presence of the U.S. military base in Cuba, despite the historical antagonism between the two nations, is a testament to the complex interplay of history and international politics.

Cuba, situated at the heart of the Caribbean, has historically served as a strategic gateway to the region. Its vast territory, with its diverse landscape, fertile land, fresh water sources, abundant forests, and natural harbors, made it a prime target for European conquerors.

Santiago, in eastern Cuba, and Havana, in the west, are exceptional ports, characterized by deep inlets and rocky coastlines, making them difficult to access. This geographic advantage made Cuba a crucial control point for European powers seeking to dominate the Caribbean and Latin America.

The Spanish held a significant presence in Cuba for centuries. This historical legacy is reflected in the Cuban language (Spanish), the mixed heritage of the Creole population, and the Spanish colonial architecture that defines much of the country. The predominant religion, Catholicism, further underscores Spain's enduring influence.

The 19th century saw the decline of Spain's maritime dominance and the rise of Britain, followed by Britain's decline and the emergence of the United States. Each shift in global power dynamics involved a struggle for control over strategic sea routes, making Cuba, as the closest island to the United States, an inevitable target for American ambitions.

In 1898, the United States, having defeated Spain in the Spanish-American War, established the Guantanamo Bay Naval Base.

The Platt Amendment, signed by President William McKinley in 1901, gave the U.S. the right to intervene in Cuban affairs, demanded Cuban land for the establishment of U.S. military bases, and authorized the exploitation of Cuban mines. This agreement was incorporated into the Cuban constitution, as Cuba was still under U.S. influence.

In 1903, the United States secured a permanent lease on a portion of Guantanamo Bay from Tomás Estrada Palma, the first President of Cuba. However, in 1905, Palma's re-election was met with opposition due to allegations of electoral impropriety. The U.S., in support of Palma, intervened to quell the uprising, leaving a negative mark on Cuban public opinion.

President Fulgencio Batista, a pro-American leader who rose to power in 1934, sought to appease the Cuban population by repealing the Platt Amendment, but also signed a new agreement with the United States, maintaining the lease for Guantanamo Bay. This agreement stipulated that the U.S. would pay Cuba $2,000 annually in gold, which was later revised to the equivalent of $4,085 in 1934 currency. The agreement could only be terminated with the consent of both the Cuban and U.S. governments.

The socialist revolution led by Fidel Castro, fueled by discontent with Cuba's colonial economy and puppet government, swept across the country, leading to the establishment of a socialist Cuba. The newly independent Cuban people, rejecting U.S. financial compensation, repeatedly demanded the return of their territory.

The 1969 Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties Article 52 states that treaties signed under duress or coercion are invalid. The Cuban government argued that the 1903 agreement incorporating the Platt Amendment into the Cuban constitution was illegitimate due to U.S. coercion. Despite this legal argument, Cuba had to accept the reality of America's military power, resorting to strategies of passive resistance.

Cuba's tactics included cutting off water supply to the base, prompting the U.S. to import water from Jamaica and install desalination equipment. Cuba also severed electricity to the base, leading to the U.S. constructing its own power generators.

To prevent Cuban military incursions, the U.S. established extensive minefields around the base. However, there were also instances of cooperation, such as the U.S. dispatching firefighting planes to assist with forest fires in the area.

Cuba's lack of territorial ambitions and its reliance on the socialist bloc, particularly Russia, influenced its approach to the base. While the presence of a foreign military power on Cuban soil was an affront to national pride, Castro, with his background as a lawyer and socialist leader, opted for a more strategic approach. He believed that negotiation and leverage yielded more benefits than resorting to armed conflict.

For Cuba, the U.S. presence at Guantanamo Bay provided a degree of protection against potential threats, easing the burden of defense. Cuba's management of the base, a highly coveted strategic location, would have been a significant challenge.

The United States, having no aspirations for dominance in the Caribbean, has never launched an attack from Guantanamo Bay against Cuba. Cuba, with its limited resources and reliance on the socialist bloc, posed no existential threat to the U.S. Castro, a pragmatist, preferred a diplomatic approach, using the issue as leverage to secure concessions such as the release of prisoners, easing economic sanctions, and garnering international support.

The United States, while never overtly aggressive, has engaged in covert operations to undermine Castro's regime. This included arming Cuban exiles to overthrow the government during the Bay of Pigs invasion, a failed attempt that tarnished Kennedy's administration.

The two nations have maintained a delicate, ambivalent relationship, avoiding direct confrontation but continuously maneuvering behind the scenes. While neither has been fully satisfied, the issue has become a persistent point of contention, with both sides carefully balancing their interests.

Initially, Guantanamo Bay housed refugees and migrants. After 9/11, the U.S. established the notorious Guantanamo Bay detention camp, consisting of three sections: Camp Delta, Camp Iguana, and Camp X-Ray. This facility, operated by the Joint Task Force-Guantanamo (JTF-GTMO), serves as a prison for individuals deemed enemies of the United States, leading to widespread accusations of torture and human rights abuses. The film "Camp X-Ray" explores the dynamics between a U.S. soldier stationed at Guantanamo and a captive deemed a dangerous terrorist.

President Obama's proposal to close the Guantanamo Bay facility and return it to Cuba was largely a strategic move to garner support among Latino voters and enhance his legacy. However, Congress, with strong opposition, did not approve the proposal. The prospect of the United States returning Guantanamo Bay to Cuba remains uncertain.

The return of Hong Kong to China, where the People's Liberation Army replaced the British military, stands in stark contrast to the situation in Cuba. The incident highlights the importance of national strength and unity in achieving dignity and sovereignty.

The Origins of Football

Football, the most thrilling sport in the modern world, boasts a rich and ancient history. Its roots can be traced back to ancient Greece, where a game resembling handball was popular. The Romans further developed this game. As the Roman Empire expanded across Europe over centuries, the sport found its way to the British Isles. Early matches involved Roman forces playing against Britons, using the severed heads of prisoners as the ball. The ball later evolved to an inflated animal bladder, possessing elasticity for kicking and hitting, often resulting in chaotic, multi-player games with a single target. The brutality of these early matches led to their prohibition, but football's popularity persisted, with different regions adopting their unique rules and practices.

Despite its popularity, English monarchs prohibited football, fearing that it would distract youth from military training, potentially leaving the nation vulnerable to foreign invasion. However, football gained official recognition during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, with spectacular matches becoming a common feature of festivals. A massive game in Cornwall in 1602, spanning four to five miles between opposing parishes, captured the region's enthusiasm.

The next two centuries saw a diverse range of football matches, with varying rules and lack of unified regulations. The absence of organized teams or standardized rules made the games rough and intense, often devolving into brawls with players deliberately targeting their opponents' legs instead of the ball.

A pivotal moment in football's evolution occurred on November 21, 1823. A group of students playing on a field witnessed a 15-year-old named William Webb Ellis pick up the ball and run with it. This simple action became a defining moment, dividing the game into two distinct sports: rugby, where players could advance the ball with their hands, and football, where the ball was progressed solely through kicking and heading.

This development sparked the formation of the Football Association in London, with the establishment of specific rules, including the ban on handling the ball. The Rugby Football Union, which permitted the use of hands, was not established until 1871.

On October 26, 1863, the Football Association convened a historic meeting in England, laying out the framework for modern football. The initial rules, while significantly different from today's regulations, marked a significant step forward. For instance, one rule stated that a goal was scored when the ball passed between the goalposts, regardless of height, as long as it was not thrown, hit, or carried by hand. The player positions and formations were also different. Each team had a goalkeeper, back, forward, and eight forwards. Subsequently, formations shifted to a goalkeeper, two backs, three half-backs, and five forwards. The rules for throwing in the ball were also altered, initially permitting the use of one hand but then requiring the use of both due to players effortlessly throwing the ball into the goal from distances exceeding 40 to 50 yards. Early goalposts were unlike those used today, consisting of a simple rope stretching across the top until 1883. Nets were introduced in 1890, resolving ambiguity about whether the ball passed above or below the rope. The size of the field was also different from today's standards, with dimensions varying between 200 yards by 100 yards, 100 yards by 50 yards, and 200 yards by 50 yards. Today's regulations dictate a maximum length of 130 yards, a minimum of 100 yards, and a width ranging from 100 yards to 50 yards. Initially, "law enforcers" were comprised of a vice-referee and a main referee from each team. This changed in 1891, with the introduction of a neutral referee and two linesmen, representing the modern officiating structure. Initially, all teams consisted of amateur players. The introduction of professional football ushered in a new era with players dedicating their careers to the sport.

The History of Cuju (Football) in Ancient China

In ancient Chinese literature and texts, football is referred to as "cuju" or "taju".

The earliest written records of cuju are found in the "Warring States Policy" and Sima Qian's "Records of the Grand Historian".

The "Warring States Policy" documents how Su Qin, serving as the chancellor of Zhao, sought to forge an alliance with Qi against the Qin Dynasty. He explained to King Xuan of Qi that Qi's strength lay in its vast territory, large army, abundant resources, and skilled military. He then described the prosperous city of Linzi: "There are 70,000 households in Linzi. I estimate that each household has three men, totalling 210,000. Without relying on troops from distant counties, Linzi alone can field an army of 210,000. Linzi is incredibly wealthy and prosperous. Its people enjoy various activities like playing the sheng (mouth organ), guqin (seven-stringed zither), se (silk stringed zither), and qin (stringed instrument), cockfighting, dog racing, six-board games, and cuju." This demonstrates that cuju was widely practiced in Linzi, Qi, about 2,300 years ago.

Sima Qian's "Records of the Grand Historian" includes similar records, where Su Qin, on his mission to unite Qi against Qin, told King Xuan of Qi that Qi was a powerful nation with vast land, a mighty army, and a prosperous city of Linzi with 70,000 households. The people of Linzi enjoyed a rich cultural life, engaging in activities such as "playing the sheng, guqin, se, and qin, cockfighting, dog racing, six-board games, and cuju". The "Historical Records" notes that "cuju was used for military training, to test the capabilities of soldiers, and it was all integrated into fun and training."

The rise of cuju in Qi is attributed to the flourishing economy, vibrant cultural life, advanced technology, and martial spirit prevalent in the region. Qi's kings were known for their hunting and martial prowess. Qi was a leading producer of politicians, thinkers, economists, military leaders, and military theorists in the pre-Qin era. Qi's military was renowned for its strength, horses, and skilled warriors, leading to the saying "Qi's military is the best in the world". During the reigns of Duke Huan of Qi and Guan Zhong, Qi established itself as the strongest state by relying on military force to dominate the other feudal lords. Qi's military continued its reputation for strength and prowess during the Warring States period.

Ancient cuju, as illustrated by the "Records of the Grand Historian", was primarily used for military training, similar to modern football. The "Records of the Grand Historian: Biography of Wei Qing and Huo Qubing" mentions "cuju played in a confined area". "Historical Notes" explains that "cuju was made of leather, stuffed with animal hair, and used as a ball for kicking." Yan Shigu, in his annotation of the "Book of Han", further clarifies that "cuju was made of leather, filled with fur, and shaped into a round ball for playing and enjoyment." Liu Xiang's "Separate Records" states that "cuju is said to have originated during the reign of Emperor Huangdi, or perhaps it began during the Warring States period. Cuju represents military strategy, used to train soldiers and identify talent, all through play and practice."

The "Records of the Grand Historian: Biography of Bian Que and Cang Gong" mentions "Grand Cang Gong, the head of the Grand Storehouse, was from Linzi in Qi. His surname was Chunyu, and his given name was Yi... The Duke of Anling, whose family lived in the village of Banli, was ill. I, Chunyu Yi, examined his pulse and said: 'It's a testicular hernia'. I told him: 'Be careful not to engage in strenuous activities, for if you do, you will vomit blood and die'. Later, the Duke engaged in cuju, got chilled while playing, and sweated profusely, leading to vomiting blood. I examined him again and said: 'He will die at dusk tomorrow'. " Zhang Shoujie's "Justice" explains that "cuju refers to playing with a ball". This demonstrates the skill of the renowned Qi physician Chunyu Yi and the intensity of cuju. The Duke, addicted to cuju, suffered from a testicular hernia, a condition that made cuju harmful. His death resulted from ignoring Chunyu Yi's advice.

The texts show that cuju was referred to as "taju" in the "Warring States Policy" and as "cuju" in the "Records of the Grand Historian". The "Book of Han: Biography of Wei Qing and Huo Qubing" refers to it as "cuju", and the "Book of Han: Arts and Literature" records 25 chapters on "cuju" under the category of military techniques. The "Book of Han: Biography of Jia, Zou, and Mei Lu" states that Mei Gao, son of Mei Cheng, wrote in his essay: "Hunting with arrows, riding horses and dogs, playing cuju, carving, all things evoke feelings, and he would compose an essay about them." The "Book of the Later Han: Biography of Liang Ji" records that "(Liang Ji) was fond of drinking, and he enjoyed playing six-board games, cuju, etc."

Cuju's Flourishing in Han and Tang Dynasties

Cuju was a popular pastime for both the nobility and commoners during the early Han dynasty. According to Huan Kuan's "Salt and Iron Debates: Criticizing Power", people of privilege indulged in "fishing by the water, setting dogs loose to chase rabbits, raising large wild boars, playing cuju, and cockfighting". Meanwhile, the common people enjoyed "neighborhood customs and clan gatherings, with activities like racing on the grand road and playing cuju in narrow alleys" ("Salt and Iron Debates: National Ailments"). This indicates the widespread popularity of cuju.

The "Book of Han" mentions that Emperor Wu of Han often held cockfighting and cuju competitions in the palace, referring to them as "chicken and cuju events". The favorite of Emperor Wu of Han, Dong Xian, even kept "cuju players" in his home. Cuju scenes are depicted on Han dynasty stone carvings found in Qufu, Shandong; Nanyang, Henan; and Suide, Shaanxi, showcasing the expanding popularity of the sport during the Western Han dynasty.

The "Miscellaneous Records of the Western Capital", by Ge Hong (also known as Liu Xin), records: "When the Supreme Emperor moved to Chang'an and lived in the deep palace, he felt depressed and unhappy. The High Emperor [Liu Bang] secretly asked his entourage about the reason for his sadness. He realized that the Supreme Emperor enjoyed the company of young butchers, tavern keepers, and bakers, and he found joy in cockfighting and cuju. Now that he was deprived of these pleasures, he was unhappy." This shows that the Supreme Emperor (Emperor Gao of Han) liked cuju. The same text also notes: "Emperor Cheng was fond of cuju. His ministers advised him that cuju was a strenuous activity unfit for the emperor. Emperor Cheng responded, 'I enjoy it. Find a way to play it without being too strenuous'. A minister made a '彈棋 (danqi)' board game and presented it to the emperor. The emperor was delighted, and he rewarded the minister with a blue lambskin coat and purple silk shoes, which the minister wore to the court audience."

Wu Jun of the Southern Liang dynasty also wrote about cuju in his "Poems of the Frontier City in Four Parts", part four: "In Linzi, cuju is highly esteemed, in Qucheng, archery is favored. Don't seek fame after death, focus on worldly wisdom. Look at Ban Dingyuan, his accomplishments were not built on injustice. He wields a flag two zhang long, and he rides two wild ducks. Only ask if you know each other, death and life have no difference." This poem, written during the Southern Liang dynasty, further indicates the continuing popularity of cuju in Linzi.

During the Tang dynasty, advancements in technology led to improvements in the making of cuju balls. The "气球 (qiqiu)" (air ball), replaced the earlier two-piece leather shell with a round, eight-piece leather shell, resulting in a more spherical shape. Previously, "cuju" was made with leather and filled with animal hair. During the Tang dynasty, the leather shell was replaced with a round, eight-piece leather shell, filled with an animal bladder, acting as a pressure chamber. Initially, air was blown into the bladder with the mouth. Later, the "打揎法 (da ta fa)" was introduced. Ming dynasty writer Wang Yunchen described the "da ta fa" method in his "Cuju Illustrated Treatise": "Da ta fa is used for adding air. While the method is easy, it's difficult in practice. The air shouldn't be too hard, as this will make the ball taut and fast, making it harder to kick. It shouldn't be too soft, as this will make the ball loose and floppy, making it less likely to fly. Use nine out of ten of your strength to achieve just the right pressure." The ball was referred to as "健色 (jianse)" (healthy color), and a bellows was used for pumping air. This suggests that the pressure of the ball was regulated. However, there are no records of the ball's size. The use of air-filled balls allowed for more jumping and acrobatic play, adding to the excitement of the games. The air ball was the first of its kind in the world. World sports history records that England invented air-filled balls in the 11th century (the Song dynasty), about three to four hundred years after the Tang dynasty.

The improvement in the shape of the ball brought about changes in playing methods and techniques. During the Han dynasty, the cuju was filled with animal hair, making it a solid ball, preventing high kicks. This resulted in the construction of goals on the ground, referred to as "穿地为鞠室 (chuan di wei ju shi)". However, with the lightweight Tang dynasty air balls, kicks could be lofted, leading to goalposts made of two bamboo poles, several zhang high, with nets attached to prevent the ball from flying too far. This structure resembled a "门 (men)" (gate) and was used to measure the ball's trajectory. This is known as "络网为门以度球 (luo wang wei men yi du qiu)." During the Han dynasty, opposing teams played directly against each other, with physical contact resembling warfare. However, during the Tang dynasty, opposing teams were separated by a goal, each team on its side, competing to score the most goals.

The "Comprehensive Examination of Literature" by Ma Duanlin, written in the late Song and early Yuan dynasties, briefly describes this: "Cuju originated in the Tang dynasty. Two tall bamboo poles, several zhang high, were erected, and nets were strung between them, forming a gate to measure the ball's trajectory." The two teams competed with their feet, employing offensive and defensive strategies, overseen by referees. Wang Yunchen's Ming dynasty "Cuju Illustrated Treatise" includes a section on "Ball Goal Rules" that outlines the scoring system: the team with the most goals wins. The same text also mentions two officials, "都部署校正 (du bu shu jiao zheng)" (Chief Instructor) and "杜司 (du si)" (Chief Commissioner), acting as referees. Li You's "Cuju City Inscription" also records principles for referees: "Don't let personal relationships influence judgment, avoid partiality, stay calm and objective, don't be swayed by blame or praise." This emphasizes the importance of unbiased refereeing in cuju. However, the exact rules of competition haven't survived, and we can only reconstruct them through descriptions of matches.

Four types of cuju games were played in the Tang dynasty: 1. "打鞠 (da ju)", a game without goals ("Playing Ball Field Rules"). The number of players was unlimited, each playing independently. Any part of the body could be used to contact the ball. The winner was the player who kept the ball off the ground and touched it the most times consecutively. 2. "白打 (bai da)", played by the "白打场户 (bai da chang hu)" (white beat ball field). Players kicked against each other, two against two or more, and women also participated. 3. "跃鞠 (yue ju)", without goals or nets, involved chasing and running with the ball. The winner was the player who kicked the ball the most times, and the highest. 4. This game involved one goal, positioned in the center of the field, with poles about three zhang high. Each team had seven players, who could only kick from their designated positions, without changing places. The "球头 (qiu tou)" (ball head) from one team would throw or kick the ball over the goal, and players from the opposing team would catch it and try to kick it back over the goal. The team that successfully kicked the ball back over the goal won. Players from both teams alternated this procedure.

The lighter air-filled balls and the absence of intense competition and running made cuju accessible to women in the Tang dynasty. Women's cuju games were played without goals, focusing on high kicks and elaborate maneuvers. This style of play was known as "白打 (bai da)" (white beating).

Wang Jian's Tang dynasty poem "Palace Words" describes the enjoyment of female entertainers from the Yi Chun Yuan in cuju during the Cold Food and Qingming festivals. Cold Food Day, traditionally observed from the countryside to the imperial court, was a time for abstaining from fire and eating cold food, accompanied by outdoor activities like outings or sports, helping to alleviate digestive discomfort.

Wang Wei's Tang dynasty poem, "Things Happening East of the City During the Cold Food Festival", depicts the cuju custom during Cold Food Day: "A clear stream flows through peach trees and plum trees, green rushes and white angelica are reflected in the water. There are only a few families near the stream, half the falling blossoms are carried away by the east-flowing water. The kicks of cuju players reach above flying birds, swings swing high in the willow trees. Young men split their days for outings, no need to combine the Qingming and Shangsi festivals." The poem portrays the high skill of cuju players, capable of kicking the ball to great heights: "蹴踘屡过飞鸟上 (cuju lu guo fei niao shang)" (cuju kicks reach above flying birds). Meanwhile, young women adorned themselves in fashionable attire, swinging on swings under the willows: "秋千竞出垂杨里 (qiuqian jing chu chu yang li)" (swings swing high in the willow trees), appearing like celestial beings. These scenes attracted many young men's attention. Du Fu's poem "Qingming" also mentions: "十年蹴鞠将雏远，万里秋千习俗同 (shi nian cuju jiang chu yuan, wan li qiuqian xi su tong)" (ten years playing cuju with young ones, the custom of swinging is the same for thousands of miles), signifying the widespread custom of cuju across China.

Cuju was not only popular among the common people but also in the imperial court. Li Bai's Tang dynasty poem "Ancient Style 59: Part 46" says: "斗鸡金宫里，蹴踘瑶台边 (dou ji jin gong li, cuju yao tai bian)" (cockfighting in the golden palace, cuju by the Jade Terrace). Wang Jian's "Palace Words" also states: "殿前铺设两边楼，寒食宫人步打球 (dian qian pu she liang bian lou, han shi gong ren bu da qiu)" (in front of the palace, buildings are set up on both sides, during the Cold Food festival, palace ladies play cuju). Wei Zhuang's poem "Qingming in Chang'an" says: "内宫初赐清明火，上相闲分白打钱 (nei gong chu ci qing ming huo, shang xiang xian fen bai da qian)" (the inner palace initially grants the fire of Qingming, the prime minister casually divides the money for 'bai da' [cuju]), reflecting the practice of cuju in the palace and the awarding of money for it.

Wei Yingwu's Tang dynasty poem "After the Cold Food Festival, at the North Tower" says: "遥闻击鼓声，蹴鞠军中乐 (yao wen ji gu sheng, cuju jun zhong le)" (from afar, I hear the sound of drums, cuju is enjoyed in the army), depicting cuju in the military. This shows that in addition to the common people and the imperial court, cuju was also practiced within the military in the Tang dynasty.

This tradition of cuju, beginning in Linzi, Qi, flourished during the Han and Tang dynasties, and continued into the Song, Yuan, and Ming dynasties. The Song dynasty poet Lu You wrote about the grand spectacle of cuju in his poem "Late Spring Feelings at the Pavilion": "寒食梁州十万家，秋千蹴鞠尚豪华 (han shi liang zhou shi wan jia, qiu qian cuju shang hao hua)" (in Liangzhou, ten thousand families celebrate the Cold Food Festival, swings and cuju are still luxurious). In his poem "Sentiments of the Past, the Final Chapter, I Must Expand Them for My Own Sake", he wrote: "路入梁州似掌平，秋千蹴鞠趁清明 (lu ru liang zhou si zhang ping, qiu qian cuju chen qing ming)" (the road to Liangzhou seems flat as a palm, swings and cuju are enjoyed during the Qingming Festival)."

In addition to the inclusion of women in cuju during the Tang dynasty, their skills were remarkably advanced. Tang dynasty writer Kang Bian's "Anecdotes of Entertainment" notes: "One day, a minor official from Jingzhao Prefecture, Wang Chao, walked past the northern street of Shengyefang in Chang'an. The spring rain had just stopped, and he saw a woman with three hairpins, about 16 or 17 years old, wearing tattered clothes and wooden clogs. She was standing under a locust tree by the side of the road. A group of young men from the army were playing cuju. She caught and kicked the ball back, and it soared several zhang high. The crowd began to gather to watch." This "woman with three hairpins", clad in wooden clogs, could catch stray balls from the army's cuju game and kick them several zhang high, showcasing her exceptional skills. This illustrates the widespread popularity of cuju in the Tang dynasty.

Cuju's Development in Song, Yuan, and Ming Dynasties

The "Tokyo Dream Hearsay" by Meng Yuanlao of the Song dynasty describes: "On the 15th day of the first lunar month, the Yuanxiao Festival. In front of the Grand Inner Palace, from the Winter Solstice onwards, the Kaifeng Prefecture erected mountain-shaped tents and bamboo poles facing the Xuande Tower. Visitors had already gathered along the Imperial Street and under the two verandas. There were unusual and amazing feats, musical and theatrical performances, and crowds packed shoulder to shoulder. The sound of music was so loud that it filled the air for ten miles. People played cuju, walked tightropes, and climbed poles."

The "Song History: Chronicles, Part 34" mentions: "On the ninth day of the ninth month, the first day of the lunar month, the sun was eclipsed. On the 11th, an order was given to repair the embankment damaged by the tide. On the 13th, an order was issued for those ranking below the prime minister to be exempt from offering tribute during the celebration of the festival. On the 16th, an order was given to the ritual officials to set the ceremonies of the Kai Bao and Zheng He reigns. On the 20th, the emperor reviewed cuju players at the Xuande Hall."

Wu Zimu's "Dream Liang Record" from the Song dynasty details "one hundred varieties of performing arts" under "Skills of Playing and Tricking", describing: "Players of one hundred varieties of performing arts, often during the year of the Mingtang Temple and the imperial sacrifices... performed one hundred varieties of arts... juggled flower balls, hit balls with sticks."

The "Old Stories of Wulin" by Sisui Qianfu (Zhou Mi) of the Southern Song dynasty, in the "Travels to West Lake", mentions "... flower balls, cuju", and other skills. The section "Spring Release" mentions "erecting targets for archery, swings, shuttlecock, cockfighting, cuju, and other games to entertain visitors."

The "Old Stories of Wulin" also lists the "Cuju Players" in the "Music Department of the Dry-Pure Imperial Palace" of the Southern Song dynasty, "筑球三十二人 (zhu qiu san shi er ren)" (Thirty-two Cuju Players), outlining the team divisions and names: "Left Team, sixteen players: Ball Head, Zhang Jun; '跷球 (qiao qiu)' (high-kicking ball), Wang Lian; '正挟 (zheng xie)' (straight ball), Zhu Xuan; '头挟 (tou xie)' (head ball), Shi Ze; '左竿网 (zuo gan wang)' (left pole net), Ding Quan; '右竿网 (you gan wang)' (right pole net), Zhang Lin; '散立 (san li)' (scattered formation), Hu Chun, etc. Right Team, sixteen players: Ball Head, Li Zheng; '跷球 (qiao qiu)' (high-kicking ball), Zhu Zhen; '正挟 (zheng xie)' (straight ball), Zhu Xuan; '副挟 (fu xie)' (assisting ball), Zhang Ning; '左竿网 (zuo gan wang)' (left pole net), Xu Bin; '右竿网 (you gan wang)' (right pole net), Wang Yong; '散立 (san li)' (scattered formation), Chen Jun, etc."

The "Old Stories of Wulin" also lists the "Various Kinds of Performing Artists" under "Cuju": "Huang Ruyi, Fan Laoer, Xiao Sun, Zhang Ming, Cai Run." These records demonstrate the widespread popularity of cuju during the Song dynasty.

The Song, Yuan, and Ming dynasties saw the emergence of organized cuju societies among the common people, such as the "齐云社