Abstract
The Japanese women's volleyball team's gold-medal was doubtless a highlight of the Olympic Games hosted in Tôkyô 1964. No other event drew such an audience to television sets. It is therefore not surprising that the Witches of the East (as the team was nicknamed) are still very well remembered in Japan. But why did women's volleyball enthuse the Japanese to such a degree? Formed as a company team, the Witches and their trainer symbolized Japan's recovery after World War Two. Training intensively after work for the nation's glory resounded well with the people. In addition, trainer Daimatsu had introduced a new technique – the rolling dive. The players went down to the floor to play the ball and rolled over in judô-style. This symbolized Japan's fate in general: falling to the ground after World War Two but coming quickly to their feet again.
Published Version
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