During Heian period, as an athletic sport at Court, kemari was popular among noblemen, therefore nobleman built a private practice ground called "mari-ba" (ball ground) on their own residences, and they spent the whole day practicing, every day.
平安時代には蹴鞠は宮廷競技として貴族の間で広く親しまれるようになり、貴族達は自身の屋敷に鞠場と呼ばれる専用の練習場を設け、日々練習に明け暮れたという。