Remember to get back on your feet quickly: the Japanese women's volleyball team at the 1964 Olympics as a 'Realm of Memory'

The Japanese women's volleyball team's gold- medal was doubtless a highlight of the OlympicGames hosted in Tokyo 1964. No other event drewsuch 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 judo - style. This symbolized Japan's fate in general: falling to the ground after World War Two but coming quickly to their feet again.