Jin cuju league system: Difference between revisions

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{{Region_icon_Ajax}}
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{{Infobox
{{Infobox
| title    = Jin cuju league system
| title    = Jin cuju league system
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| label9  = Cup competition
| label9  = Cup competition
|  data9  = '''Men''' <br> [[Huangguang Bei]] <br> [[CAJ Guanjun Bei]] <br> [[CAJ Liansai Bei]] <br> '''Women''' <br> [[Huanghou Bei]] <br> [[CAJ Mulan's Guanjun Bei]] <br> [[CAJ Nuzi's Liansai Bei]]
|  data9  = '''Men''' <br> [[Huangguang Bei]] <br> [[CAJ Guanjun Bei]] <br> '''Women''' <br> [[Huanghou Bei]] <br> [[Mulan Guanjun Bei]] <br> [[Nuzi Liansai Bei]]
}}
}}


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The Jin ball game of ''[[Cuju (Jinae)|cuju]]'' has a history dating back over 2,000 years, with mythical origins harking back to an even earlier age. Jin historians and cuju officials claim to have organised the world's first cuju league (or association football as it is known internationally), known as the ''[[Shan yue zheng sai]]'' (山岳正賽; Shān yuè zhèng sài; lit. Mountain Peaks Grand Tournament), which was opened to clubs of both genders <ref>Cuju clubs during its early history occasionally consisted of mixed gendered clubs. Clubs from both genders would play each other without distinction and the rules was a lot more different from the modern game. See [[History of cuju in Jinae]], [[Cuju Youxi Guize]], and [[Cuju (Jinae)]] for more details.</ref>, from as early as the 9th century CE. This claim has, however, been disputed by international associations of the sport, and many association football historians have noted similar organised games played in other parts of the [[Ajax|world]]. Nevertheless, the modern Jin cuju league, the ''[[Jin Jia Liansai]]'', can be counted among some of the world's earliest men's leagues. Created in 1919 by General<!--Jiang (rank)--> [[Dong Fangzhuo]] (董方卓; Dǒng Fāngzhuó; born 23 January 1985) of the [[Republic of Jin]] (ROJ), the true purpose of the league was more for the ROJ to consolidate and monitor the existing local cuju games and clubs throughout Da Huang that was occasionally used as {{wp|Unlawful assembly|illegal gatherings}} by the [[Jianghu (Jinae)|Jianghu]], royalist, criminals, unregistered martial artist sects and clans disguised as cuju clubs. Following the fall of the republic, the men's league became defunct. It was only refounded under the emperor's auspices in 1993, owing to the years of relative stability following the [[1991 Jin constitution|1991 constitutional reforms]].
The Jin ball game of ''[[Cuju (Jinae)|cuju]]'' has a history dating back over 2,000 years, with mythical origins harking back to an even earlier age. Jin historians and cuju officials claim to have organised the world's first cuju league (or association football as it is known internationally), known as the ''[[Shan yue zheng sai]]'' (山岳正賽; Shān yuè zhèng sài; lit. Mountain Peaks Grand Tournament), which was opened to clubs of both genders <ref>Cuju clubs during its early history occasionally consisted of mixed gendered clubs. Clubs from both genders would play each other without distinction and the rules was a lot more different from the modern game. See [[History of cuju in Jinae]], [[Cuju Youxi Guize]], and [[Cuju (Jinae)]] for more details.</ref>, from as early as the 9th century CE. This claim has, however, been disputed by international associations of the sport, and many association football historians have noted similar organised games played in other parts of the [[Ajax|world]]. Nevertheless, the modern Jin cuju league, the ''[[Jin Jia Liansai]]'', can be counted among some of the world's earliest men's leagues. Created in 1919 by General<!--Jiang (rank)--> [[Dong Fangzhuo]] (董方卓; Dǒng Fāngzhuó; born 23 January 1985) of the [[Republic of Jin]] (ROJ), the true purpose of the league was more for the ROJ to consolidate and monitor the existing local cuju games and clubs throughout Da Huang that was occasionally used as {{wp|Unlawful assembly|illegal gatherings}} by the [[Jianghu (Jinae)|Jianghu]], royalist, criminals, unregistered martial artist sects and clans disguised as cuju clubs. Following the fall of the republic, the men's league became defunct. It was only refounded under the emperor's auspices in 1993, owing to the years of relative stability following the [[1991 Jin constitution|1991 constitutional reforms]].


Similar to the men's leagues, women's cuju shared a common history with the men's game in which the [[Cuju Youxi Guize]] (蹴鞠游戏规则; ''cùjū yóuxì guīzé''; lit. Rules of the game of Cuju) were codified in 1919 with the formation of the ROJ Jin Jia Liansai. While the development and popularity of men's cuju fluctuated greatly due to the nation's [[Jin cuju league system#Evolution of the Jin men's league system|troubled history]], women's cuju has maintained a stable cultural following throughout the centuries, and the sport's popularity peaked in the late 19th to early 20th century<ref>Jin men have been historically drafted and conscripted into the nation's military. Thus during long periods of strife and conflict, especially during the 19th–20th century, organised men's sports in Da Huang fell into sharp decline and stagnation. Women's cuju on the other hand, have maintain a signifcant cultural following, and with women training alongside men in sports societies (such as fencing, riding, and gymnastics etc.), helped raised the profile of the game both as a women's sport and more generally. See [[Women's sports in Jinae]], [[Women in Jinae]], and [[Women's cuju in Jinae]] for more details.</ref>. It was not until the reintroduction of the men's Jin Jia Liansai that the popularity of women's cuju declined slightly. However, women's cuju remains a popular sport, with a higher average attendance than the men's league at similar levels. Unlike the men's leagues, the women's leagues continue to be organised under an association of private investors, martial clans, families, schools, sects, merchant unions, and private and community-own organisations, of which the most recent association is known as the [[Junuxianzhuang]] (聚女賢莊; ''jù nǚ xián zhuāng''; lit. Heroine's Gathering Manor). Prior to the CAJ restructuring of the Jin cuju league system, the Junuxianzhuang administered the upper levels of the women {{wp|Pro-am|pro-am}} [[Qiushuilian]] (秋水联; ''qiū shuǐ lián''; Autumn Water Tournament) and [[Chunhulian]] (春湖聯; ''chūn hú lián''; lit. Spring Lake Tournament). Together with the [[Liuhumen]] (六虎門; ''Liù hǔmén''; lit. Six Tigers School), the two co-administrations administered the [[Ganzhilian]] (干支蹴鞠聯; gānzhī cùjū lián; lit. Stem-branches Cuju Tournament) leagues<ref>The lower level leagues of the Jin women's cuju leagues are collectively known as the Stem-brances Cuju Tournament, in reference to the 10 Heavenly Branches and the 12 Earthly Branches. The tournament are divided into the 24 cardinal points (lowest league), the 12 earthly branches (middling leagues), and the 4 corners (top league). Originally, the Qiushuilian, the Chunhulian, and the Ganzhilian are organised seperately and are not linked by the system of promotion and relegation.</ref>. The two co-administrations enjoyed significant autonomy from the central government until 1993; as part of the CAJ restructuring of the Jin cuju league system, the independence of the two federations was subordinated to the CAJ, making the CAJ the overall governing body of all cuju leagues in Da Huang.
Similar to the men's leagues, women's cuju shared a common history with the men's game in which the [[Cuju Youxi Guize]] (蹴鞠游戏规则; ''cùjū yóuxì guīzé''; lit. Rules of the game of Cuju) were codified in 1919 with the formation of the [[ROJ Jin Jia Liansai]]. While the development and popularity of men's cuju fluctuated greatly due to the nation's [[Jin cuju league system#Evolution of the Jin men's league system|troubled history]], women's cuju has maintained a stable cultural following throughout the centuries, and the sport's popularity peaked in the late 19th to early 20th century<ref>Jin men have been historically drafted and conscripted into the nation's military. Thus during long periods of strife and conflict, especially during the 19th–20th century, organised men's sports in Da Huang fell into sharp decline and stagnation. Women's cuju on the other hand, have maintain a signifcant cultural following, and with women training alongside men in sports societies (such as fencing, riding, and gymnastics etc.), helped raised the profile of the game both as a women's sport and more generally. See [[Women's sports in Jinae]], [[Women in Jinae]], and [[Women's cuju in Jinae]] for more details.</ref>. It was not until the reintroduction of the men's Jin Jia Liansai that the popularity of women's cuju declined slightly. However, women's cuju remains a popular sport, with a higher average attendance than the men's league at similar levels. Unlike the men's leagues, the women's leagues continue to be organised under an association of private investors, martial clans, families, schools, sects, merchant unions, and private and community-own organisations, of which the most recent association is known as the [[Junuxianzhuang]] (聚女賢莊; ''jù nǚ xián zhuāng''; lit. Heroine's Gathering Manor). Prior to the CAJ restructuring of the Jin cuju league system, the Junuxianzhuang administered the upper levels of the women {{wp|Pro-am|pro-am}} [[Qiushuilian]] (秋水联; ''qiū shuǐ lián''; Autumn Water Tournament) and [[Chunhulian]] (春湖聯; ''chūn hú lián''; lit. Spring Lake Tournament) as the top flight of women's cuju in Da Huang. Additionally, together with the [[Liuhumen]] (六虎門; ''Liù hǔmén''; lit. Six Tigers School), the two co-administrations administered the [[Ganzhilian]] (干支蹴鞠聯; gānzhī cùjū lián; lit. Stem-branches Cuju Tournament) leagues<ref>The lower level leagues of the Jin women's cuju leagues are collectively known as the Stem-brances Cuju Tournament, in reference to the 10 Heavenly Branches and the 12 Earthly Branches. The tournament are divided into the 24 cardinal points (lowest league), the 12 earthly branches (middling leagues), and the 4 corners (top league). Originally, the Qiushuilian, the Chunhulian, and the Ganzhilian are organised seperately and are not linked by the system of promotion and relegation.</ref>. The two co-administrations enjoyed significant autonomy from the central government until 2001; as part of the CAJ restructuring of the Jin cuju league system, the independence of the two federations was subordinated to the CAJ, making the CAJ the overall governing body of all cuju leagues in Da Huang.


==Men's Leagues==
==Men's Leagues==
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Being members of a league at a particular level also affects eligibility for Cup, or single-elimination, competitions.
Being members of a league at a particular level also affects eligibility for Cup, or single-elimination, competitions.
*[[Huangguang Bei]] (Levels 1 to 9+):  
*[[Huangguang Bei]] (Levels 1 to 9+):  
:The '''Huangguang Bei''' (皇冠杯金夏蹴鞠协会全中国蹴鞠锦标赛; huángguàn bēi jīnxià cùjū xiéhuì quán zhōngguó cùjū jǐnbiāosài; lit. The Emperor's Cup CAJ All-Jinae Cuju Championship Tournament) is the annually contested cup of cuju in Da Huang. It is open to clubs at all levels, but only J League clubs are automatically qualified, receiving a bye in the first round. Teams from outside of it who wants to qualify to the Huangguang Bei have to undergo a prefectural qualification, with regulations and schedules varying from one association to another. In total, there are 42 regionals and amateur cup qualifications competitions<ref>2 From the JCL, 14 from the regional groups (each divisions have their own cup qualifications knockout competition), and 26 from the amateur groups (Similar to the regional groups, each divisions have their own cup qualifications knockout competition)</ref>, with the winners of each competition having earned their right to play in the Huangguang Bei, with all of them assigned to start the competition in the first round.
:The '''Huangguang Bei''' (皇冠杯金夏蹴鞠协会全中国蹴鞠锦标赛; huángguàn bēi jīnxià cùjū xiéhuì quán zhōngguó cùjū jǐnbiāosài; lit. The Emperor's Cup CAJ All-Jinae Cuju Championship Tournament) is the annually contested cup of men's cuju in Da Huang. It is open to clubs at all levels, but only J League clubs are automatically qualified, receiving a bye in the first round. Teams from outside of it who wants to qualify to the Huangguang Bei have to undergo a prefectural qualification, with regulations and schedules varying from one association to another. In total, there are 42 regionals and amateur cup qualifications competitions<ref>2 From the JCL, 14 from the regional groups (each divisions have their own cup qualifications knockout competition), and 26 from the amateur groups (Similar to the regional groups, each divisions have their own cup qualifications knockout competition)</ref>, with the winners of each competition having earned their right to play in the Huangguang Bei, with all of them assigned to start the competition in the first round.
*[[CAJ Liansai Bei]] (Levels 1 to 3):
:The '''CAJ Liansai Bei''' (金夏蹴鞠协会联赛杯; jīnxià cùjū xiéhuì liánsài bēi; lit. CAJ League Cup<ref>See also {{wp|League cup}}</ref>)
*[[CAJ Guanjun Bei]] ({{wp|Super cup}}):
*[[CAJ Guanjun Bei]] ({{wp|Super cup}}):
:The '''CAJ Guanjun Bei''' (金夏蹴鞠协会冠军杯; jīnxià cùjū xiéhuì guànjūn bēi; lit. CAJ Super Cup) is Jin cuju's annual match contested at the [[National Stadium, Da Huang|National Stadium]]<!--国家体育场; Guójiā tǐyùchǎng; National Sport Stadium)--> between the champions of the previous Jin Jia Liansai and the holders of the CAJ Liansai Bei. If the Jin Jia Liansai champions also won the Liansai Bei, then the league runner-up provide the opposition.
:The '''CAJ Guanjun Bei''' (金夏蹴鞠协会冠军杯; jīnxià cùjū xiéhuì guànjūn bēi; lit. CAJ Super Cup) is Jin cuju's annual match contested at the [[National Stadium, Da Huang|National Stadium]]<!--国家体育场; Guójiā tǐyùchǎng; National Sport Stadium)--> between the champions of the previous Jin Jia Liansai and the holders of the CAJ Liansai Bei. If the Jin Jia Liansai champions also won the Liansai Bei, then the league runner-up provide the opposition.
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{{main|Women's cuju in Da Huang}}  
{{main|Women's cuju in Da Huang}}  
===Women's leagues structure===
===Women's leagues structure===
At the top is the level one single division of the [[Mulan Chaoji Liansai]] (木蘭蹴鞠超级聯賽; mùlán cùjū chāojí liánsài; lit. Mulan Super League) (MSL), containing 18 clubs administered jointly by the Cuju Association of Jinae (CAJ), Yangcheng Cuju Federation, [[Junuxianzhuang]] and the [[Liuhumen]]. Below the MSL is the [[Jin Women's League]] (金霞蹴鞠协会女子聯賽; Jīnxiá cùjū xiéhuì nǚzǐ liánsài) (JWL), divided into three divisions: [[Jin Jia Nuzi Liansai|JWL1]] with 20 clubs, [[Jin Yi Nuzi Liansai|JWL2]] and [[Jin Bing Nuzi Liansai|JWL3]] with 24 clubs each. The top four levels of women's cuju are all full-time professional clubs.


Following the JWL are the levels 5–7 semi-professional leagues organised by the Junuxianzhuang, collectively known as the [[Junuxianzhuang Cuju Liansai]] (聚女賢莊蹴鞠聯賽; Jù nǚ xián zhuāng cùjū liánsài; Junuxianzhuang Cuju League) (JZL). It contains two nationwide divisions: the [[Qiushuilian]] (秋水聯; qiū shuǐ lián; Autumn Water League), with 38 clubs divided into two banner groups (Plain White and Plain Yellow Banners), and the [[Chunhulian]] (春湖聯; chūn hú lián; Spring Lake League), with 84 clubs divided into four banner groups (Bordered Red, Bordered White, Bordered Yellow, and Bordered Blue Banners). The organisation of the JZL are archaic and based on the traditional [[Four Bordered and Two Plain Banners]]<ref>'''OOC''': In reference to the Eight Banners of the Qing dynasty (though probably not exactly the same, needs more thought into it). See also {{wp|Eight Banners}} and {{wp|Identity in the Eight Banners}}.</ref> of the [[Song dynasty]].
Next down the JZL are the Liuhumen-administered non-professional leagues of levels 8–12. Known as the [[Sifang Cuju Dahui]] (中國四方蹴鞠大会; Zhōngguó Sìfāng Cuju Dàhuì; Jinae Four Corners Cuju Grand Assembly) (SCD), it is one of the oldest and largest cuju competition in the world and is divided into five levels. Unlike the men's regionals, the women's non-professional leagues are divided according to the traditional Jin regional division based on the Jin's concept of the [[Luopan|four corners, 12 earthly branches and the 24 cardinal points]]<ref>'''OOC''': In reference to the Chinese 24 directions and its divisions. See also {{wp|Luopan}}, {{wp|Heavenly Stems}}, {{wp|Earthly Branches}}</ref>.
<!--The top three levels of the association football league system are operated by the J League, which consists of the J League 1 (JL1), J League 2 (JL2), and J League 3 (JL3). All clubs in the J League are required to be entirely professional, and clubs in the top two flights must have a women's team that competes in the Women's League. The fourth level, the CAJ Silk Road Champions League (SRCL), is the semi-professional league and the largest division of the Jin leagues, involving up to 64 teams from across the country. It consists of a mix of amateur, professional, and company clubs, serving as the football finals of each season.-->
<!--The top three levels of the association football league system are operated by the J League, which consists of the J League 1 (JL1), J League 2 (JL2), and J League 3 (JL3). All clubs in the J League are required to be entirely professional, and clubs in the top two flights must have a women's team that competes in the Women's League. The fourth level, the CAJ Silk Road Champions League (SRCL), is the semi-professional league and the largest division of the Jin leagues, involving up to 64 teams from across the country. It consists of a mix of amateur, professional, and company clubs, serving as the football finals of each season.-->
===Promotion and relegation rules===
 
===Promotion and relegation rules for professional and semi-professional levels===
#[[Mulan Chaoji Liansai]] (level 1, 18 clubs): The bottom two clubs are automatically relegated, while the third from the bottom will be relegated when losing to the JL2 team winner of the two-leg promotion/ relegation play-offs.
#[[Jin Jia Nuzi Liansai]] (level 2, 20 clubs): The champions and runner-ups receive automatic promotion, and the third-placed team plays a two-leg play-off against the team that finishes 17th in the MSL. The bottom two clubs are relegated, while the third from the bottom team can avoid relegation by winning a two-leg playoff against the team that finishes in third place in the JWL2.
#[[Jin Yi Nuzi Liansai]] (level 3, 24 clubs): Rules for promotion and relegation are the same as level 3.
#[[Jin Bing Nuzi Liansai]] (level 4, 24 clubs): Rules for promotion to the JWL2  are the same as levels 3 & 4: a club must finish in the top 2 of the league to be promoted. The third-placed team plays a two-leg play-off against the the third-bottom team from the JWL2. Clubs placed at the bottom four are automatically relegated and divided into two banner groups: [[Qiushuilian#Two plain banner groups|Zhengbaiqi]] or [[Qiushuilian#Two plain banner groups|Zhenghuangqi]] (dependent on the numbers of clubs in each group).
#[[Qiushuilian]] (level 5, 38 clubs divided into 2 banner groups): The champions and runner-ups are promoted. The bottom four are relegated to clubs are relegated to either the [[Chunhulian#Four bordered banner groups|Xianghongqi]], [[Chunhulian#Four bordered banner groups|Xiangbaiqi]], [[Chunhulian#Four bordered banner groups|Xianghuangqi]], or [[Chunhulian#Four bordered banner groups|Xiangliangqi]] as appropriate (dependent on the numbers of clubs in each group).
#[[Chunhulian]] (level 6–7, 84 clubs divided into 4 banner groups): The champions and runner-ups of each top flight division in the regionals are promoted. The bottom club of the lowest division in the regionals are relegated to the Sifang Cuju Dahui (Non-professional leagues).
 
===Cup eligibility===
===Cup eligibility===
Being members of a league at a particular level also affects eligibility for Cup, or single-elimination, competitions.
*[[Quanguo Jinnu Jinbiaosai]]<!--全国金女无敌天下锦标赛; Quánguó Jīnnǚ Wúdí Tiānxià Jǐnbiāosài; lit. The National Invincible Under Heaven Championship for Jin Women or just the Nationals-->: Levels 1 to 12 (''clubs from levels 8 to 12 are contested by representative teams from each league'')
*[[Jinnu Liansai Bei]]<!--金女聯賽杯; Jīnnǚ liánsài bēi; Jin women's League Cup-->: Levels 1 to 4
*[[Mulan Guanjun Bei]]: {{wp|Super Cup}} (contested by the winner of the MSL and the winner of the Quanguo Jinnu Jinbiaosai)
*[[Yeyu cuju dasai]]<!--业余蹴鞠大赛; Yèyú cùjū Dàsài; Amateur Cuju Grand Tournament-->:  Level 8 to 12 (''Contested by representative teams from each groups'')
*[[Sifang cuju shenghui]]<!--四方蹴鞠盛会; Sìfāng cùjū shènghuì; Twenty-Four Corners Cuju Summit/ Grand Gathering of Cuju from All Directions-->:  Level 12
<!--The '''Huanghou Bei''' (皇后杯金夏蹴鞠协会全中国蹴鞠锦标赛; huánghòu bēi jīnxià cùjū xiéhuì quán zhōngguó cùjū jǐnbiāosài; lit. The Empress's Cup CAJ All-Jinae Cuju Championship Tournament) is the annually contested cup of women's cuju in Da Huang. It is open to all clubs, but only Jin Women's League clubs are automatically eligible, with clubs in levels 3 and 4 receiving a bye in the first round and clubs in levels 1 and 2 receiving byes into the third round. All entrants from levels 5 to 8 begin the competition in the preliminary round of the qualifying competition (a competition held before the competition proper). There is no seeding; a random draw determines the fixtures in each round. Prior to the fourth round, fixtures ending in a tie are replayed only once. The first five rounds are qualifiers, with the draws organised on their assigned banner groupings<ref>'''OOC''': Based on the English {{wp|FA Cup}}.</ref>.
:The '''CAJ Mulan Guanjun Bei''' (聚女賢莊无敌天下蹴鞠锦标赛; jùnǚxiánzhuāng wúdí tiānxià cùjū jǐnbiāosài; lit. Heroine's Gathering Manor) is Jin women's cuju's annual match contested at the [[National Stadium, Da Huang|National Stadium]]国家体育场; Guójiā tǐyùchǎng; National Sport Stadium) between the champions of the previous MSL season and the holders of the CAJ Liansai Bei. If the Jin Jia Liansai champions also won the Liansai Bei, then the league runner-up provide the opposition.
:The '''Nuzi Liansai Bei''' (聚女賢莊无敌天下蹴鞠锦标赛; jù nǚ xián zhuāng wúdí tiānxià cùjū jǐnbiāosài; lit. League Cup of the Heroine's Gathering Manor<ref>See {{wp|League cup}}</ref>)-->
===Women's pyramid table===
===Women's pyramid table===
{{Da Huang Jin women association football pyramid}}
{{Da Huang Jin women association football pyramid}}
==See also==
==See also==
* [[Sports in ancient Jinae]]
* [[Sports in ancient Jinae]]
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==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}
[[category:Association football (Ajax)]]
[[Category:Huang dynasty]]
[[Category:Huang dynasty]]
[[Category:Nev's Article]]
[[Category:Nev's Article]]

Latest revision as of 14:49, 22 March 2024

Jin cuju league system
CountryDa Huang
SportCuju[1]
Promotion and
relegation		Yes
National system
FederationCuju Association of Jinae
ConfederationOAFF
Top divisionMen
Jin Jia Liansai
Women
Mulan Chaoji Liansai
Second divisionMen
Jin Yi Liansai
Women
Jin Jia Nuzi Liansai
Cup competitionMen
Huangguang Bei
CAJ Guanjun Bei
Women
Huanghou Bei
Mulan Guanjun Bei
Nuzi Liansai Bei

The Jin cuju league system, or the Jin association football league system, is a series of hierarchically interconnected league systems for club football in Da Huang and Yangcheng run by the Cuju Association of Jinae (CAJ). The Jin cuju league system is organised in a pyramidical shape, with twelve official levels for both the men's leagues women's leagues. The principle of promotion and relegation binds these leagues, and due to their hierarchical format, it is theoretically possible for the lowest amateur club of the lowest level to rise to the very top of their system.

The top three professional levels of the men's leagues contain one division each. Below this, the semi-professional and amateur levels have progressively more parallel divisions, each covering progressively localised regional areas.

The women's leagues follow a similar organisation to the men's leagues, with the top four levels playing professionally with one division each. Below that are levels 5–7 semi-professional leagues administered by the Junuxianzhuang (聚女賢莊; jù nǚ xián zhuāng; lit. Heroine's Gathering Manor), then the regional amateur leagues from levels 8–12 administered jointly by the Liuhumen (六虎門; Liù hǔmén; lit. Six Tigers School) and Junuxianzhuang.

The exact number of clubs at the amateur level varies from year to year as clubs join and leave leagues, merge, or fold altogether. On average, there are 15 clubs per division, with the numbers decreasing further away from the coastal population centre and into Da Huang's interior. The number of clubs between genders also differs significantly, with a 1:2 average ratio of male-to-female clubs registered in the Jin League system. However, as there are no official definitions of any level below levels twelve and ten for the men's and women's leagues, any references to the structure below these levels should not be regarded as definitive.


History

Main article: History of cuju in Jinae
Regional divide in Da Huang:
  Dongbei   Jinbei   Dongnan   Xibei   Xinan   Zhongnan

The Jin ball game of cuju has a history dating back over 2,000 years, with mythical origins harking back to an even earlier age. Jin historians and cuju officials claim to have organised the world's first cuju league (or association football as it is known internationally), known as the Shan yue zheng sai (山岳正賽; Shān yuè zhèng sài; lit. Mountain Peaks Grand Tournament), which was opened to clubs of both genders [2], from as early as the 9th century CE. This claim has, however, been disputed by international associations of the sport, and many association football historians have noted similar organised games played in other parts of the world. Nevertheless, the modern Jin cuju league, the Jin Jia Liansai, can be counted among some of the world's earliest men's leagues. Created in 1919 by General Dong Fangzhuo (董方卓; Dǒng Fāngzhuó; born 23 January 1985) of the Republic of Jin (ROJ), the true purpose of the league was more for the ROJ to consolidate and monitor the existing local cuju games and clubs throughout Da Huang that was occasionally used as illegal gatherings by the Jianghu, royalist, criminals, unregistered martial artist sects and clans disguised as cuju clubs. Following the fall of the republic, the men's league became defunct. It was only refounded under the emperor's auspices in 1993, owing to the years of relative stability following the 1991 constitutional reforms.

Similar to the men's leagues, women's cuju shared a common history with the men's game in which the Cuju Youxi Guize (蹴鞠游戏规则; cùjū yóuxì guīzé; lit. Rules of the game of Cuju) were codified in 1919 with the formation of the ROJ Jin Jia Liansai. While the development and popularity of men's cuju fluctuated greatly due to the nation's troubled history, women's cuju has maintained a stable cultural following throughout the centuries, and the sport's popularity peaked in the late 19th to early 20th century[3]. It was not until the reintroduction of the men's Jin Jia Liansai that the popularity of women's cuju declined slightly. However, women's cuju remains a popular sport, with a higher average attendance than the men's league at similar levels. Unlike the men's leagues, the women's leagues continue to be organised under an association of private investors, martial clans, families, schools, sects, merchant unions, and private and community-own organisations, of which the most recent association is known as the Junuxianzhuang (聚女賢莊; jù nǚ xián zhuāng; lit. Heroine's Gathering Manor). Prior to the CAJ restructuring of the Jin cuju league system, the Junuxianzhuang administered the upper levels of the women pro-am Qiushuilian (秋水联; qiū shuǐ lián; Autumn Water Tournament) and Chunhulian (春湖聯; chūn hú lián; lit. Spring Lake Tournament) as the top flight of women's cuju in Da Huang. Additionally, together with the Liuhumen (六虎門; Liù hǔmén; lit. Six Tigers School), the two co-administrations administered the Ganzhilian (干支蹴鞠聯; gānzhī cùjū lián; lit. Stem-branches Cuju Tournament) leagues[4]. The two co-administrations enjoyed significant autonomy from the central government until 2001; as part of the CAJ restructuring of the Jin cuju league system, the independence of the two federations was subordinated to the CAJ, making the CAJ the overall governing body of all cuju leagues in Da Huang.

Men's Leagues

The logo of the J League Co., Ltd. which is the commercial branch of the CAJ. The corporation is jointly operated by the CAJ and all of its member clubs acting as its shareholders[5].

Men's leagues structure

The Jin men's cuju league system is held under the jurisdiction of the nationwide Cuju Association of Jinae and its professional body, the J League Co. Ltd., along with its six regional associations and their 37 state associations, and, more recently, the Yangcheng Cuju Federation who governs the amateur non-tier leagues of cuju in Yangcheng and its expatriated clubs abroad[6].

The top levels of the men's cuju league system comprise a total of 80 clubs, all of which are entirely professional, divided into three divisions: Jin Jia Liansai (JL1), Jin Yi Liansai (JL2), Jin Bing Liansai (JL3), and are internationally referred to as the J League 1, J League 2, and J League 3 respectively. The J League Co. Ltd., the commercial branch of the CAJ, holds the competition for the top three flights.

The level four Guanjun Liansai comprises 48 clubs, with 24 clubs each in two divisions: A Zu (lit. Group A) covers the Dongbei, Xibei, and Zhongnan regions. The other division, B Zu (lit. Group B), covers the Jinbei, Dongnan, and Xinan regions. Some of these clubs are full-time professionals, and the others are semi-professional.

The six regional associations govern the various semi-professional divisions at levels 5–8. The regional associations are divided according to the six regions of Da Huang: the Dongbei cuju xiehui for Dongbei, Xibei cuju xiehui for Xibei, Zhongnan cuju xiehui for Zhongnan, Jinbei cuju xiehui for Jinbei, Dongnan cuju xiehui for Dongnan, and Xinan cuju xiehui for Xinan. All regional bodies run levels 5–8 under their jurisdiction, with some states having more divisions than others, while the 37 state member associations' pyramids start at level 9 and beyond. For Yangcheng, the Yangcheng Cuju Federation runs its amateur divisions under its jurisdiction.

Promotion and relegation rules for professional and semi-professional levels

  1. Jin Jia Liansai (level 1, 24 clubs): The bottom two clubs (23rd and 24th) are automatically relegated, while the 22nd position will be relegated when losing to the JL2 team winner of the two-leg promotion/ relegation play-offs[7].
  2. Jin Yi Liansai (level 2, 27 clubs): The champions and runner-ups receive automatic promotion, and the third-placed team plays a two-leg play-off against the team that finishes 22nd in the Jin Jia Liansai. The bottom two clubs are relegated, while the third from the bottom team can avoid relegation by winning a two-leg playoff against the team that finishes in third place in the JL3.
  3. Jin Bing Liansai (level 3, 29 clubs): Rules for promotion to the JL2 are similar to those of the Jin Bing Liansai: a club must finish in the top 2 of the league to be promoted. The third-placed team plays a two-leg play-off against the the third-bottom team from the JL2. Clubs placed at the bottom four are automatically relegated and divided into two groups (primarily based on their regional association membership).
  4. Jinxia Guanjun Liansai (level 4, 24 clubs each, running in parrallel): The champions and runner-ups are promoted. The bottom six are relegated to clubs are relegated to either the regional Zhongnan Diqu Liansai, Dongbei Diqu Liansai, Xibei Diqu Liansai, Jinbei Diqu Liansai, Dongnan Diqu Liansai, or Xinan Diqu Liansai as appropriate (based on their regional association membership). These six regional groups are collectively known as the Jinxia Diqu Liansai
  5. Jinxia Diqu Liansai (level 5–8, 211 clubs divided into 6 regional groups): The champions and runner-ups of each top flight division in the regionals are promoted. The bottom club of the lowest division in the regionals are relegated to the Jinxia Shenshi Chaoji Liansai (Amateur leagues).

Cup eligibility

Being members of a league at a particular level also affects eligibility for Cup, or single-elimination, competitions.

The Huangguang Bei (皇冠杯金夏蹴鞠协会全中国蹴鞠锦标赛; huángguàn bēi jīnxià cùjū xiéhuì quán zhōngguó cùjū jǐnbiāosài; lit. The Emperor's Cup CAJ All-Jinae Cuju Championship Tournament) is the annually contested cup of men's cuju in Da Huang. It is open to clubs at all levels, but only J League clubs are automatically qualified, receiving a bye in the first round. Teams from outside of it who wants to qualify to the Huangguang Bei have to undergo a prefectural qualification, with regulations and schedules varying from one association to another. In total, there are 42 regionals and amateur cup qualifications competitions[8], with the winners of each competition having earned their right to play in the Huangguang Bei, with all of them assigned to start the competition in the first round.
The CAJ Guanjun Bei (金夏蹴鞠协会冠军杯; jīnxià cùjū xiéhuì guànjūn bēi; lit. CAJ Super Cup) is Jin cuju's annual match contested at the National Stadium between the champions of the previous Jin Jia Liansai and the holders of the CAJ Liansai Bei. If the Jin Jia Liansai champions also won the Liansai Bei, then the league runner-up provide the opposition.

Men's pyramid table

Level

League(s)/Division(s)
Professional leagues

1

Jin Jia Liansai (JL1)
24 clubs
↓ 2 relegation spots + 1 relegation play-off spot

2

Jin Yi Liansai (JL2)
27 clubs
↑ 2 promotion spots + 1 promotion play-off spot
↓ 2 relegation spots + 1 relegation play-off spot

3

Jin Bing Liansai (JL3)
29 clubs
↑ 2 promotion spots + 1 promotion play-off spot
↓ 4 relegation spots

Semi-professional leagues

4

Jinxia Guanjun Liansai (JCL)
48 clubs divided into 2 groups
↑ 4 promotion spots
↓ 12 relegation spots

A Zu
24 clubs 		B Zu
24 clubs

5–8

Jinxia Diqu Liansai (JDL)
211 clubs divided into 6 regional groups
↑ 12 promotion spots
↓ 6 relegation spots

Zhongnan Diqu Liansai
56 clubs
4 Divisions
(4p, 4r)

Dongbei Diqu Liansai
13 clubs

Xibei Diqu Liansai
36 clubs
3 Divisions
(2p, 2r)

Jinbei Diqu Liansai
11 clubs

Dongnan Diqu Liansai
51 clubs
3 Divisions
(3p, 3r)

Xinan Diqu Liansai
44 clubs
2 Divisions
(2p, 2r)

Non-professional leagues

9+

Jinxia Shenshi Chaoji Liansai (JSCL)
Unlimited clubs (Amateur)
↑ 6 promotion play-off spots

A Bu
4 Divisions
(3p, 3r) 		B Bu
3 Divisions
(2p, 2r) 		C Bu
1 Divisions 		D Bu
2 Divisions
(1p, 1r) 		E Bu
2 Divisions
(2p, 2r) 		F Bu
1 Division 		G Bu
1 Division 		H Bu
1 Division 		I Bu
3 Divisions
(2p, 2r) 		J Bu
3 Divisions
(2p, 2r) 		K Bu
3 Divisions
(2p, 2r) 		L Bu
2 Divisions
(1p, 1r)


Evolution of the Jin men's league system

Tier\Years 9th
century		 10th
century		 11th
century		 12th
century		 13th
century		 14th
century		 15th
century		 16th
century		 17th
century		 18th
century		 19th
century		 1900–19 1919–31 1931–43 1943–1992 1993–2001 2001–2013 2013–2017 2017–2020 Since 2020
1 Shan Yue Zheng Sai** Bayarid
Invasion		 Yu Jue Sai** Kra
Invasion		 Sa Nam Pa Theut* Jin
Rebellion		 Zhao Xia Qiu Sai** First Jin
Civil War		 Jin Jia Liansai*** Second Jin
Civil War		 None Jin Jia Liansai***
2 None None None Sa Nam Pa Man** Bao Lian Sai** None Lower* Jin Yi Liansai
3 None None Lower* Jin Bing Liansai
4 Jinxia Diqu Liansai Jinxia Guanjun Liansai
5 Lower* Jinxia Diqu Liansai
6 Lower* Jinxia Shenshi Chaoji Liansai
7
8
9+

* From 1993 to 2020 the Jin pyramid was organised with two simultaneous and independent pyramids, the national pyramid, and the regional pyramid. The regional pyramid was later integrated into the national pyramid as the Jinxia Shenshi Chaoji Liansai.

** Games prior to the 1913 Jin Jia Liansai by the Republic of Jin operate by different sets of rules, varying from dynasties to dynasties. The earliest known cuju league was recorded in the Dongjing Meng Hua Lu[9], organised by the Qi Yun She (齊雲社; qí yún shè; lit. Cloud Unity Society), and was developed in the large Jin cities in Central Jinae. Members were typically local cuju lovers or professional martial art performers. Non-professionals had to formally appoint a professional as their teacher and pay a fee before becoming members. This process ensured an income for the professional players, unlike cuju teams of the earlier dynasties. The Qi Yun She organised annual the national cuju tournaments known as the Shan Yue Zheng Sai (山岳正賽; shānyuè zhèng sài; lit. Mountain Peaks Grand Tournament), the first professional "league" of Jin cuju.

*** The Jin Jia Liansai was first founded by the ROJ Cuju Assciation, but since 1993 is operated by the Cuju Association of Jinae.


Women's Leagues

Main article: Women's cuju in Da Huang

Women's leagues structure

At the top is the level one single division of the Mulan Chaoji Liansai (木蘭蹴鞠超级聯賽; mùlán cùjū chāojí liánsài; lit. Mulan Super League) (MSL), containing 18 clubs administered jointly by the Cuju Association of Jinae (CAJ), Yangcheng Cuju Federation, Junuxianzhuang and the Liuhumen. Below the MSL is the Jin Women's League (金霞蹴鞠协会女子聯賽; Jīnxiá cùjū xiéhuì nǚzǐ liánsài) (JWL), divided into three divisions: JWL1 with 20 clubs, JWL2 and JWL3 with 24 clubs each. The top four levels of women's cuju are all full-time professional clubs.

Following the JWL are the levels 5–7 semi-professional leagues organised by the Junuxianzhuang, collectively known as the Junuxianzhuang Cuju Liansai (聚女賢莊蹴鞠聯賽; Jù nǚ xián zhuāng cùjū liánsài; Junuxianzhuang Cuju League) (JZL). It contains two nationwide divisions: the Qiushuilian (秋水聯; qiū shuǐ lián; Autumn Water League), with 38 clubs divided into two banner groups (Plain White and Plain Yellow Banners), and the Chunhulian (春湖聯; chūn hú lián; Spring Lake League), with 84 clubs divided into four banner groups (Bordered Red, Bordered White, Bordered Yellow, and Bordered Blue Banners). The organisation of the JZL are archaic and based on the traditional Four Bordered and Two Plain Banners[10] of the Song dynasty.

Next down the JZL are the Liuhumen-administered non-professional leagues of levels 8–12. Known as the Sifang Cuju Dahui (中國四方蹴鞠大会; Zhōngguó Sìfāng Cuju Dàhuì; Jinae Four Corners Cuju Grand Assembly) (SCD), it is one of the oldest and largest cuju competition in the world and is divided into five levels. Unlike the men's regionals, the women's non-professional leagues are divided according to the traditional Jin regional division based on the Jin's concept of the four corners, 12 earthly branches and the 24 cardinal points[11].

Promotion and relegation rules for professional and semi-professional levels

  1. Mulan Chaoji Liansai (level 1, 18 clubs): The bottom two clubs are automatically relegated, while the third from the bottom will be relegated when losing to the JL2 team winner of the two-leg promotion/ relegation play-offs.
  2. Jin Jia Nuzi Liansai (level 2, 20 clubs): The champions and runner-ups receive automatic promotion, and the third-placed team plays a two-leg play-off against the team that finishes 17th in the MSL. The bottom two clubs are relegated, while the third from the bottom team can avoid relegation by winning a two-leg playoff against the team that finishes in third place in the JWL2.
  3. Jin Yi Nuzi Liansai (level 3, 24 clubs): Rules for promotion and relegation are the same as level 3.
  4. Jin Bing Nuzi Liansai (level 4, 24 clubs): Rules for promotion to the JWL2 are the same as levels 3 & 4: a club must finish in the top 2 of the league to be promoted. The third-placed team plays a two-leg play-off against the the third-bottom team from the JWL2. Clubs placed at the bottom four are automatically relegated and divided into two banner groups: Zhengbaiqi or Zhenghuangqi (dependent on the numbers of clubs in each group).
  5. Qiushuilian (level 5, 38 clubs divided into 2 banner groups): The champions and runner-ups are promoted. The bottom four are relegated to clubs are relegated to either the Xianghongqi, Xiangbaiqi, Xianghuangqi, or Xiangliangqi as appropriate (dependent on the numbers of clubs in each group).
  6. Chunhulian (level 6–7, 84 clubs divided into 4 banner groups): The champions and runner-ups of each top flight division in the regionals are promoted. The bottom club of the lowest division in the regionals are relegated to the Sifang Cuju Dahui (Non-professional leagues).

Cup eligibility

Being members of a league at a particular level also affects eligibility for Cup, or single-elimination, competitions.


Women's pyramid table

Level

League(s)/Division(s)
Professional leagues

1

Mulan Chaoji Liansai (MSL)
18 clubs
↓ 2 relegation spots + 1 relegation play-off spot

2

Jin Jia Nuzi Liansai (JWL1)
20 clubs
↑ 2 promotion spots + 1 promotion play-off spot
↓ 2 relegation spots + 1 relegation play-off spot

3

Jin Yi Nuzi Liansai (JWL2)
24 clubs
↑ 2 promotion spots + 1 promotion play-off spot
↓ 2 relegation spots + 1 relegation play-off spot

4

Jin Bing Nuzi Liansai (JWL3)
24 clubs
↑ 2 promotion spots + 1 promotion play-off spot
↓ 4 relegation spots

Semi-professional leagues

5

Qiushuilian
38 clubs divided into 2 banner groups

Zhengbaiqi
19 clubs
↑ 2 promotion spots
↓ 4 relegation spots 		Zhenghuangqi
19 clubs
↑ 2 promotion spots
↓ 4 relegation spots

6–7

Chunhulian
84 clubs divided into 4 banner groups

Xianghongqi
18 clubs
↑ 2 promotion spots
↓ 1 relegation spots 		Xiangbaiqi
23 clubs
↑ 2 promotion spots
↓ 1 relegation spots 		Xianghuangqi
21 clubs
↑ 2 promotion spots
↓ 1 relegation spots 		Xiangliangqi
22 clubs
↑ 2 promotion spots
↓ 1 relegation spots
Non-professional leagues

8

Sifang Liansai
88 clubs divided into 4 groups
↑ 4 promotion spots
↓ 4 relegation spots

9

Dizhi Lian Jia
144 clubs divided into 12 groups
↑ 4 promotion spots
↓ 12 relegation spots + 12 relegation play-off spots

10

Dizhi Lian Yi
156 clubs divided into 12 groups
↑ 12 promotion spots + 12 promotion play-off spots
↓ 12 relegation spots + 12 relegation play-off spots

11

Dizhi Lian Bing
168 clubs divided into 12 groups
↑ 12 promotion spots + 12 promotion play-off spots
↓ 24 relegation spots

12

Ershisifang Lian
Many clubs divided into 24 groups

See also

References

  1. ↑ OOC: Cuju is Association Football in Da Huang and was originally a ball sport with a completely different set of rules (that was very much like the IRL cuju). In Da Huang's history, the rules and style of play has diverged and developed into something completely different from the IRL sport and into something more similar to IRL association football but not exactly the same. It only got standardised to the IRL rules of modern day association football with Da Huang's interactions with foreign nations and formally codified in 1919 with the Cuju Youxi Guize (蹴鞠游戏规则; cùjū yóuxì guīzé; lit. Rules of the game of Cuju). Its also because of this history of cuju, that Da Huang claims the sport as a 'Jin invention' and insist on calling it 'Cuju' instead of association football or football/ soccer.
    • I might work on an actual page for Cuju and its history in Jinae and Da Huang in the future.
  2. ↑ Cuju clubs during its early history occasionally consisted of mixed gendered clubs. Clubs from both genders would play each other without distinction and the rules was a lot more different from the modern game. See History of cuju in Jinae, Cuju Youxi Guize, and Cuju (Jinae) for more details.
  3. ↑ Jin men have been historically drafted and conscripted into the nation's military. Thus during long periods of strife and conflict, especially during the 19th–20th century, organised men's sports in Da Huang fell into sharp decline and stagnation. Women's cuju on the other hand, have maintain a signifcant cultural following, and with women training alongside men in sports societies (such as fencing, riding, and gymnastics etc.), helped raised the profile of the game both as a women's sport and more generally. See Women's sports in Jinae, Women in Jinae, and Women's cuju in Jinae for more details.
  4. ↑ The lower level leagues of the Jin women's cuju leagues are collectively known as the Stem-brances Cuju Tournament, in reference to the 10 Heavenly Branches and the 12 Earthly Branches. The tournament are divided into the 24 cardinal points (lowest league), the 12 earthly branches (middling leagues), and the 4 corners (top league). Originally, the Qiushuilian, the Chunhulian, and the Ganzhilian are organised seperately and are not linked by the system of promotion and relegation.
  5. ↑ It is planned that the CAJ will ultimately transfer their shares of the J League Co., Ltd. to the clubs, and a professional union which consists of all J League clubs will be established as the league's management entity.
  6. ↑ As Yangcheng does not have its own domestic professional league, the majority of its professional clubs are expatriated into the Jin league system.
    • Prior to the Yancheng Cuju Federation (YCF) induction into the Jin league system in 2015, players from the YCF were considered foreigners in J League Matches. Presently, players who are of Jin descent of Yancheng or permanent residents are not considered foreigners in the J League, but are still regarded as foreigners in OAFF competitions.
      • OOC: All matters for the OAFF competitions (itself a topic up for discussions; including its name) are subject to change upon further OOC–IC discussion.
  7. ↑ Until the 2019 season, clubs in the bottom three positions were automatically demoted to the JL2. This relegation rule is changed from the 2020 season.
  8. ↑ 2 From the JCL, 14 from the regional groups (each divisions have their own cup qualifications knockout competition), and 26 from the amateur groups (Similar to the regional groups, each divisions have their own cup qualifications knockout competition)
  9. ↑ It is to be noted that the Dongjing Men Hua Lu was written by Meng Yuanlao (孟元老; mèng yuánlǎo) (c. 1431-1494) in the 15th century as a memoir, long after the loss of Central Jinae. Due to the significant lapse in time, modern historians have challenged the integrity of his accounts, arguing that Meng's records were more likely a retelling of older historical records or an exaggeration on his part. Modern official Jin historians maintained that Meng's memoirs are accurate and have since used them to justify association football being a Jin invention named cuju.
  10. ↑ OOC: In reference to the Eight Banners of the Qing dynasty (though probably not exactly the same, needs more thought into it). See also Eight Banners and Identity in the Eight Banners.
  11. ↑ OOC: In reference to the Chinese 24 directions and its divisions. See also Luopan, Heavenly Stems, Earthly Branches
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