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On November 27, 1953, Dai Nippon Spinning Co., Ltd. (later, [[Unitika]]) determined to establish the women's volleyball team at its factory in [[Kaizuka, Osaka]]. [[Hirofumi Daimatsu]] who brought up players who later came to be called "Oriental Witches" became the coach.<ref name="Daimatsu">[https://kotobank.jp/word/大松博文-92038 Hirofumi Daimatsu｜Kotobank]</ref> On March 15, 1954, the women's volleyball team, commonly called "Nichibo Kaizuka", was established at the factory in [[Kaizuka, Osaka|Kaizuka]], based on Daimatsu's goal, "To become No. 1 team in Japan in 2 years". At the time of establishment, the team which consisted mostly of fresh graduates could shine only in small tournaments but could barely come 8th place in the national competitions.
On November 27, 1953, Dai Nippon Spinning Co., Ltd. (later, [[Unitika]]) determined to establish the women's volleyball team at its factory in [[Kaizuka, Osaka]]. [[Hirofumi Daimatsu]] who brought up players who later came to be called "Oriental Witches" became the coach.<ref name="Daimatsu">[https://kotobank.jp/word/大松博文-92038 Hirofumi Daimatsu｜Kotobank]</ref> On March 15, 1954, the women's volleyball team, commonly called "Nichibo Kaizuka", was established at the factory in [[Kaizuka, Osaka|Kaizuka]], based on Daimatsu's goal, "To become No. 1 team in Japan in 2 years". At the time of establishment, the team which consisted mostly of fresh graduates could shine only in small tournaments but could barely come 8th place in the national competitions.


Strenuous practice began to pay off and in 1955 the team won the first victory in All-Japan Women's Corporate 9-player Volleball Championship and also won the victory in the [[National Sports Festival of Japan]]. Totally the team won 3 titles.<ref name="kaizuka">[https://www.city.kaizuka.lg.jp/kakuka/kyoiku/shakaitaiiku/menu/toyonomajo_history/tanjou.html The birth of Nichibo Kaizuka / Kaizuka City]{{in lang|ja}}</ref>
Strenuous practice began to pay off and in 1955 the team won the first victory in All-Japan Women's Corporate nine-player Volleyball Championship and also won the victory in the [[National Sports Festival of Japan]]. In total the team won three titles.<ref name="kaizuka">[https://www.city.kaizuka.lg.jp/kakuka/kyoiku/shakaitaiiku/menu/toyonomajo_history/tanjou.html The birth of Nichibo Kaizuka / Kaizuka City]{{in lang|ja}}</ref>


In 1958, the team assumed the hegemony in 5 tournaments, which no team could accomplish previously.<ref name="kaizuka" />
In 1958, the team assumed the hegemony in five tournaments, which no team could accomplish previously.<ref name="kaizuka" />
Daimatsu who dominated national tournaments turned his eyes upon world. But there was a big problem. The difference between 9-player system and 6-player system. Japan had been adopting the 9-player system. On the other hand, the international rules required the 6-player system. Daimatsu had to think it over. In 1958, Nichibo Kaizuka switched from 9-person system to 6-person system. The team aimed at [[1960 FIVB Volleyball Women's World Championship]] and continued strenuous practice.<ref name="kaizuka" />
Daimatsu, who dominated national tournaments, turned his eyes upon the world, but the difference between the nine-player system and six-player system was significant. Japan had been adopting the nine-player system. On the other hand, the international rules required the six-player system. Daimatsu had to think it over. In 1958, Nichibo Kaizuka switched from the nine-person system to six-person system. The team aimed for the [[1960 FIVB Volleyball Women's World Championship]] and continued strenuous practice.<ref name="kaizuka" />


In [[1960 FIVB Volleyball Women's World Championship]], Japan took the second place.
In the1960 FIVB Volleyball Women's World Championship, Japan took second place.


On the expedition to Europe in 1961, Nichibo Kaizuka won 24 consecutive victories against other national teams. Then European media recognised its achievement, reported as worldwide heroines and gave Nichibo Kaizuka the nickname "Oriental Witches".<ref name="kotobank"/>
On the trip to Europe in 1961, Nichibo Kaizuka won 24 consecutive victories against other national teams. Then European media recognised its achievement, reporting on the team as worldwide heroines and gave Nichibo Kaizuka the nickname "Oriental Witches".<ref name="kotobank"/>


In [[1962 FIVB Volleyball Women's World Championship]], how competitive Japan's national team, which was composed of all Nichibo Kaizuka players but two<ref name="times">[https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2014/10/21/olympics/witches-of-the-orient-symbolized-japans-fortitude/ 'Witches of the Orient' symbolized Japan's fortitude｜the japantimes]</ref> and already feared as "Oriental Witches", could be against [[Soviet Union]] was in focus.<ref name="isobe">[https://rainbowsky2020.com/volley/touyonomajyo#1964 Sata Isobe, member of Oriental Witches , passed away]{{in lang|ja}}</ref> By using ''kaiten reshību'', method of rotating on the court and receiving ball,<ref name="times" /><ref name="nhk">[https://www3.nhk.or.jp/sports/story/1592/ Japan developed volleyball / NHK]{{in lang|ja}}</ref><ref name="mainichi">[https://mainichi.jp/sportsspecial/tokyo2020/road-to-tokyo/?kydrtt_page=TKY0HST105 Olympic trajectory, volleyball/ Mainichi Shinbun]{{in lang|ja}}</ref> Japan took the first place. Few thought that this would happen again.<ref name="times" />
In [[1962 FIVB Volleyball Women's World Championship]], how competitive Japan's national team, which was composed of all Nichibo Kaizuka players but two<ref name="times">[https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2014/10/21/olympics/witches-of-the-orient-symbolized-japans-fortitude/ 'Witches of the Orient' symbolized Japan's fortitude｜the japantimes]</ref> and already feared as the "Oriental Witches", could be against [[Soviet Union]] was in focus.<ref name="isobe">[https://rainbowsky2020.com/volley/touyonomajyo#1964 Sata Isobe, member of Oriental Witches , passed away]{{in lang|ja}}</ref> By using the {{Lang|ja-latn|kaiten reshību}} method of rotating on the court and receiving the ball,<ref name="times" /><ref name="nhk">[https://www3.nhk.or.jp/sports/story/1592/ Japan developed volleyball / NHK]{{in lang|ja}}</ref><ref name="mainichi">[https://mainichi.jp/sportsspecial/tokyo2020/road-to-tokyo/?kydrtt_page=TKY0HST105 Olympic trajectory, volleyball/ Mainichi Shinbun]{{in lang|ja}}</ref> Japan took first place. Few thought that this would happen again.<ref name="times" />


After [[1962 FIVB Volleyball Women's World Championship]] the team traveled around the world as reward of victory. As most of team members were of marriageable age, they, including [[Hirofumi Daimatsu|Daimatsu]], were thinking of retirement.<ref name="mainichi" />
After the 1962 FIVB Volleyball Women's World Championship the team traveled around the world as a reward for winning. As most of team members were of marriageable age, they, including Daimatsu, were thinking of retirement.<ref name="mainichi" />


It was decided that volleyball became an official event from 1964 Summer Olympics. [[Japan Volleyball Association]] asked them to continue and fans sent [[Hirofumi Daimatsu]] about 5,000 letters of asking continuation.<ref name="isobe" /> The team leader [[Masae Kasai]] made up her mind as they had 2 years left until [[Volleyball at the 1964 Summer Olympics – Women's tournament|1964 Tokyo Olympics]] and with the single phrase "Follow me" by [[Hirofumi Daimatsu|Daimatsu]], members of Oriental Witches decided to continue to play.<ref name="isobe" /> Thereafter, for 2 years they were engaged in company's business all morning and practiced from 15:00 until 26:00. Daimatsu was engaged in company's business until 16:00 and joined the practice.<ref>月刊バレーボール 2010年7月号 117ページ　[Monthly Volleyball, p117 (July, 2010)]</ref>。
Volleyball became an official event as of the 1964 Summer Olympics. [[Japan Volleyball Association]] asked the team to continue and fans sent Hirofumi Daimatsu about 5,000 letters asking for the team to continue.<ref name="isobe" /> The team leader [[Masae Kasai]] made up her mind as they had two years left until the [[Volleyball at the 1964 Summer Olympics – Women's tournament|1964 Tokyo Olympics]]; with just the phrase "Follow me" by Daimatsu, the members of Oriental Witches decided to continue to play.<ref name="isobe" /> Thereafter, for two years they worked for the company all morning and practiced from 15:00 until 26:00. Daimatsu worked until 16:00 and joined practice afterwards.<ref>月刊バレーボール 2010年7月号 117ページ　[Monthly Volleyball, p117 (July, 2010)]</ref>


On October 23, 1964, Japan faced off against [[Soviet Union]] at [[Volleyball at the 1964 Summer Olympics – Women's tournament|Tokyo Olympics]].<ref name="isobe" /> Japan took two sets smoothly but the persistence of Soviet Union continued after Japan reached to the match point. The play-by-play announcer [[:ja:鈴木文彌|Bunya Suzuki]] repeated the phrase, "Gold Medal Point" six times.<ref name="isobe" /> Finally because of the foul of overnet by Soviet Union the victory of Japan was decided.
On October 23, 1964, Japan faced off against the Soviet Union at the Tokyo Olympics.<ref name="isobe" /> Japan took two sets smoothly but the persistence of the Soviet Union continued after Japan reached the match point. The play-by-play announcer [[:ja:鈴木文彌|Bunya Suzuki]] repeated the phrase, "Gold Medal Point" six times.<ref name="isobe" /> Finally because of an overnet foul by the Soviet Union, Japan won.


The following players represented Japan in 1964 Tokyo Olympics.<ref name="isobe" />
The following players represented Japan in the 1964 Tokyo Olympics.<ref name="isobe" />


*Players who belonged to [[Unitika|Nichibo]] Kaizuka；
*Players who belonged to [[Unitika|Nichibo]] Kaizuka:
#[[Masae Kasai]]
#[[Masae Kasai]]
#[[Emiko Miyamoto]]
#[[Emiko Miyamoto]]
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#[[Setsuko Sasaki]]
#[[Setsuko Sasaki]]
#[[Yuko Fujimoto]]
#[[Yuko Fujimoto]]
*Player who belonged to [[Kurashiki Spinning]]
*Player who belonged to [[Kurashiki Spinning]]:
#[[Masako Kondo]]
#[[Masako Kondo]]
*Player who belonged to [[Yashica]]
*Player who belonged to [[Yashica]]:
#[[Ayano Shibuki]]
#[[Ayano Shibuki]]

==Video==

⚫
[https://www.olympicchannel.com/en/video/detail/tokyo-1964-women-s-volleyball-the-oriental-witches/ Video of the moments of victory and of awarding gold medal in Tokyo Olympics, narrated in German]


==Gallery==
==Gallery==
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==External links==
==External links==

⚫
* [https://www.olympicchannel.com/en/video/detail/tokyo-1964-women-s-volleyball-the-oriental-witches/ Video of the moments of victory and of awarding the gold medals in the Tokyo Olympics, narrated in German]

*[https://www.city.kaizuka.lg.jp/bunkazai/kankobutsu/temps/tenpsitiran/22tenps/temp43/43html/tenp43_8.html Former site of Unitika Kaizuka Factory / Kaizuka City, Osaka Prefecture] {{in lang|ja}}
*[https://www.city.kaizuka.lg.jp/bunkazai/kankobutsu/temps/tenpsitiran/22tenps/temp43/43html/tenp43_8.html Former site of Unitika Kaizuka Factory / Kaizuka City, Osaka Prefecture] {{in lang|ja}}
* [https://www.city.kaizuka.lg.jp/kakuka/kyoiku/shakaitaiiku/menu/toyonomajo_history/tanjou.html The birth of Nichibo Kaizuka Volleyball Team / Kaizuka City, Osaka Prefecture] {{in lang|ja}}
* [https://www.city.kaizuka.lg.jp/kakuka/kyoiku/shakaitaiiku/menu/toyonomajo_history/tanjou.html The birth of Nichibo Kaizuka Volleyball Team / Kaizuka City, Osaka Prefecture] {{in lang|ja}}
Line 98: Line 97:
* [https://mainichi.jp/articles/20161220/ddm/035/050/124000c Sata Maruyama (née Isobe) passed away at 72. (The second player from the right in the photograph) / THE MAINICHI NEWSPAPERS] {{in lang|ja}}
* [https://mainichi.jp/articles/20161220/ddm/035/050/124000c Sata Maruyama (née Isobe) passed away at 72. (The second player from the right in the photograph) / THE MAINICHI NEWSPAPERS] {{in lang|ja}}


[[Category:Volleyball teams in Japan]]
[[Category:Volleyball clubs in Japan]]
[[Category:Volleyball clubs established in 1954]]
[[Category:Volleyball clubs established in 1954]]
[[Category:Sports clubs and teams in Osaka Prefecture]]
[[Category:Sports clubs and teams in Osaka Prefecture]]

Latest revision as of 17:27, 5 August 2024

Oriental Witches (東洋の魔女, Tōyō no Majo) is the well-known nickname of Nichibo Kaizuka, a factory volleyball team of Dai Nippon Spinning Co., Ltd. (later, Nichibo, thereafter, Unitika) in Kaizuka, Osaka given by the reports of European media when they achieved 24 consecutive victories against other national teams on the expedition to Europe.[1]

Nichibo Kaizuka
Masae Kasai standing in the center of podium as the team leader, Volleyball at the 1964 Summer Olympics – Women's tournament
Full nameWomen's Volleyball Team at Kaizuka factory of Dai Nippon Spinning Co., Ltd.
NicknameOriental Witches
CaptainMasae Kasai
Uniforms
Home
Away
Championships
1st place, gold medalist(s) at 1964 Summer Olympics
1st place, gold medalist(s) at 1962 World Championship
2nd place, silver medalist(s) at 1960 World Championship

Overview

[edit]

On November 27, 1953, Dai Nippon Spinning Co., Ltd. (later, Unitika) determined to establish the women's volleyball team at its factory in Kaizuka, Osaka. Hirofumi Daimatsu who brought up players who later came to be called "Oriental Witches" became the coach.[2] On March 15, 1954, the women's volleyball team, commonly called "Nichibo Kaizuka", was established at the factory in Kaizuka, based on Daimatsu's goal, "To become No. 1 team in Japan in 2 years". At the time of establishment, the team which consisted mostly of fresh graduates could shine only in small tournaments but could barely come 8th place in the national competitions.

Strenuous practice began to pay off and in 1955 the team won the first victory in All-Japan Women's Corporate nine-player Volleyball Championship and also won the victory in the National Sports Festival of Japan. In total the team won three titles.[3]

In 1958, the team assumed the hegemony in five tournaments, which no team could accomplish previously.[3] Daimatsu, who dominated national tournaments, turned his eyes upon the world, but the difference between the nine-player system and six-player system was significant. Japan had been adopting the nine-player system. On the other hand, the international rules required the six-player system. Daimatsu had to think it over. In 1958, Nichibo Kaizuka switched from the nine-person system to six-person system. The team aimed for the 1960 FIVB Volleyball Women's World Championship and continued strenuous practice.[3]

In the1960 FIVB Volleyball Women's World Championship, Japan took second place.

On the trip to Europe in 1961, Nichibo Kaizuka won 24 consecutive victories against other national teams. Then European media recognised its achievement, reporting on the team as worldwide heroines and gave Nichibo Kaizuka the nickname "Oriental Witches".[1]

In 1962 FIVB Volleyball Women's World Championship, how competitive Japan's national team, which was composed of all Nichibo Kaizuka players but two[4] and already feared as the "Oriental Witches", could be against Soviet Union was in focus.[5] By using the kaiten reshību method of rotating on the court and receiving the ball,[4][6][7] Japan took first place. Few thought that this would happen again.[4]

After the 1962 FIVB Volleyball Women's World Championship the team traveled around the world as a reward for winning. As most of team members were of marriageable age, they, including Daimatsu, were thinking of retirement.[7]

Volleyball became an official event as of the 1964 Summer Olympics. Japan Volleyball Association asked the team to continue and fans sent Hirofumi Daimatsu about 5,000 letters asking for the team to continue.[5] The team leader Masae Kasai made up her mind as they had two years left until the 1964 Tokyo Olympics; with just the phrase "Follow me" by Daimatsu, the members of Oriental Witches decided to continue to play.[5] Thereafter, for two years they worked for the company all morning and practiced from 15:00 until 26:00. Daimatsu worked until 16:00 and joined practice afterwards.[8]

On October 23, 1964, Japan faced off against the Soviet Union at the Tokyo Olympics.[5] Japan took two sets smoothly but the persistence of the Soviet Union continued after Japan reached the match point. The play-by-play announcer Bunya Suzuki repeated the phrase, "Gold Medal Point" six times.[5] Finally because of an overnet foul by the Soviet Union, Japan won.

The following players represented Japan in the 1964 Tokyo Olympics.[5]

  • Players who belonged to Nichibo Kaizuka:
  1. Masae Kasai
  2. Emiko Miyamoto
  3. Kinuko Tanida
  4. Yuriko Handa
  5. Yoshiko Matsumura
  6. Sata Isobe
  7. Katsumi Matsumura
  8. Yoko Shinozaki
  9. Setsuko Sasaki
  10. Yuko Fujimoto
  1. Masako Kondo
  1. Ayano Shibuki
[edit]
Oriental Witches

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b Oriental Witches ｜kotobank(in Japanese)
  2. ^ Hirofumi Daimatsu｜Kotobank
  3. ^ a b c The birth of Nichibo Kaizuka / Kaizuka City(in Japanese)
  4. ^ a b c 'Witches of the Orient' symbolized Japan's fortitude｜the japantimes
  5. ^ a b c d e f Sata Isobe, member of Oriental Witches , passed away(in Japanese)
  6. ^ Japan developed volleyball / NHK(in Japanese)
  7. ^ a b Olympic trajectory, volleyball/ Mainichi Shinbun(in Japanese)
  8. ^ 月刊バレーボール 2010年7月号 117ページ　[Monthly Volleyball, p117 (July, 2010)]
[edit]
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