Gymnastic formation

Gymnastic formation is a collective art based on gymnastics expressed by 30 to 5000 figurants using only human bodies without instruments. It is commonly presented in Japanese schools as a part of physical education curriculum. The expression of the collective beauty based on force, passion, and union of young men is much more important than the individual expression. It is a modality of mass game.

In this moment, there is no unified English expression. In the

mass gymnastics” especially to represent annual festival of the North Korea. However, this expression not always includes mounting, and therefore, it meaning is similar to mass game. In the other English speaking countries, such as Malaysia, it is called “gymnastic formation”. In Japan

, it is called "kumi-taisô", which means mounting gymnastics.

History

Basic performances of gymnastic formation are seen at the

United States of America, some young women's groups performed it. In Czechoslovakia (country name of that time), large-scale gymnastic formation of thousands of figurants was exhibited up to 1985. In Japan, gymnastic formation of hundreds of participants is performed up to the present in annual sports festivals of schools and colleges, and is a standard part of the Soka Gakkai athletic and cultural activities. Up to the end of the 20th century, gymnastic formation was practiced in many organizations around the world. However, in the 21st century large-scale gymnastics became less exhibited. Today, it is seem in limited countries and territories, such as Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore, Brazil, Philippines, and North Korea

. The former five are in civil events (with majority being Soka events) and the latter is a national governmental event.

Performance

Gymnastic formation has general objective of demonstration of force, passion, and union of the participants and not a modality to dispute championship. General flow is from small-light mounting to large-heavy mounting. The performance of the

Guinness Book

.

United States

In United States, gymnastic formation are mainly performed as part of cheerleading. School or college cheerleading are performed students. Club cheerleading and professional cheerleading are performed by people belonging to the club or team.

Japan

It is called "kumi-taisô". In Japanese schools, gymnastic formation are performed as part of physical education events. Toward that end, they practice in PE classes. Students wear gym clothes designated by the school to participate.

Gallery

SGI

Gymnastic formation performance by the Brazil SGI members, Niterói, State of Rio de Janeiro, in October, 2009.
Walking wall. Performance of the Brazil SGI team at Rio de Janeiro, on October 30, 2011
5 units of four layers' instantaneous standing-up pyramid. Performance of the Brazil, SGI team at Rio de Janeiro, on October 30, 2011.
4 units of three layers' towers and 1 unit of four layers' tower by the Brazil SGI team at Rio de Janeiro, on October 30, 2011.

United States

Gymnastics formation by cheerleaders at school in United States.
Gymnastics performed as part of cheerleading at high school in United States.

Japan

Gymnastics performed at a Field Day at a public elementary school in Japan
Gymnastics performed by elementary school students in Japan

Brazil

Training of the Formation 2, at Niteroi, State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in November, 2010.
5 men's fan, during the training on September 4, 2011, at Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.