The International Spread of Chinese Ancient Ball-Game Chuiwan

Based on the analysis of historical literature and archeological data, this paper explores the overall historical facts about the Chinese ancient ball-game Chuiwan's spread abroad during its development. The study suggests that this ball game, with special rules, got spread to some extent in East Asia and Europe, along with the water route open at home and abroad since Tang and Song Dynasties. It came to wane later with its decline in late Ming and early Qing Dynasties in China. However, when Chuiwan was spread to Europe and produced influence on the local popular ball game with a bat, which was similar to Chuiwan, it finally evolved into the world-renowned modern golf.