Poi orginated from Japan ??????

I just came across a Poi website which says that some people beleive Poi originated in Japan (obviously it would have been called something else!!!!) Does anyone know anything about this. Im interested in finding out because I'm thinging of going to Japan....thanks

Where was the article??? I would love to read it.

Here is the address http://www.sonicstars.com/sonicstars.html its just a mention not an article...but I would love any real info about this. I have done a bit of a quick net search but not really found anything to back this up....

hey that be news to me too - I presume that they are entitled to claim that it was originally for wealthy Japanese children if they can substantiate such claims.
please keep us posted.
thanks.

I believe poi originated in Pounce's netherregions, then were sent back in time to the peoples of rapa nui, who taught it to the maori just before they ate eachother... that dosen't mean it's true.


I wouldn't believe everything you read on the internet... especially since google dosen't believe it either ;]

well, its kindof hard to trace the origin of poi, much as to trace the origin of staff.

the origin person who picked up a stick and try to move it around was probably Urrhgarrrsh of the Ghrrrhdd tribe of what is now called ethiopia, in about 53254BC.

the guy who somehow attached a rock to some dried flax grass or sheep gut and swiing it around to try to hit people probably was a bit later... perhaps 43264Bc, was the Chieft Zzgrraahg of the Moolagabrrggh Clan of what is now called Iraq.

anyone since who had claimed invention for these devices is lying.

[im sure everyone gets my point!]

I'm going with the Pounce's nether reigon thing. From what I hear, it's the cause of and solution to most of life's wonders.

well, ll I can say is the dozen or so Japanese poi spinners I have met, none have claimed poi came from Japan. I have never before heard of any mention of poi originating in Japan.

DUDE!! how could it possible have been Bob?!?! he had no arms or legs!!!

WHAT!
SHHHHH now lady!
AGH GTG i have an offical meeting

screw you all guys. Everyone knows it was me who invents poi, yesterday infact. You all owe me royalties!

a maori woman at sidmouth festival last year told me this too actually. She said they probably originated about the same time in japan and NZ.

same deal - that it was tought to rich kids.

i don't know who to believe - but there is a similar japanese weapon isn't there? can't remember what it's called - think that girl in Kill Bill except more realistic.

I dunno... I know devilstick originated from japan or china or somewhere from that region but that was some 500 years ago... I don't think they'd have the ropedart (is this what it's called..?) there when poi was invented by the maori... I think it's more likely that someone brought poi to them and they made a weapon out of it like martial arts masters like to do ; o))

Den... Mech... your both wrong... you see back in 53254BC there were still small traces of dinosaurs... and with evolution this would explain some peoples staff style... and so the question of which came first is answered... the staff came before the poi...

even though the events of that movie predominantly set in japan, ima fraid that rope dart is a wushu weapon (Chinese) Gogo Yubari's (sp?) form was consistent (if not 'assisted' somewhat) with some rope dart and nine-section forms (i have no idea what the movement names are) the fact that the dart itself was a round metal mass with a retractable circular blade is where it's simliarity with poi ends.
I'm at work rite now so i can't really look up when these tools began appearing in China.
As for the Japanese source, perhaps someone fluent in Japanese could find the name of poi and search for it(?)
who knows if there's always been a www.poi.jp/badger that had an online community this whole time!

Unfortunately, this debate linger only as speculation without hard facts.

Well if anyone had read the book by Ngamoni Huata (which i recomend) you would know the origin of maori poi (By some tribes). And also the establishment of what people call "rope dart". I know, i have a maori 1 made from jade.

As far as japan is concerned, thats not my field, but it would be rather interesting if any body knows the an asian origin (Personally, i think they just took two rope darts, or chain whip).

They are only just names, for things that have been round for ages, and to me it dont matter who invented it. It just seems like people are trying to be better than others by saying "sdfkjgn invented it and thats the true origin" but thats bull$hit, because everyone has their own form, and rite and heritage to it.

Though i do agree whit alot that has been posted so far...

Poi were a Polish invention. We just used them a bit differently... Namely eating utencils.

i totally agree with Dentrassi, you can hardly determine who did it first, like: who invented toast anyways, you simply cant say (blank) was the first one to tie something to a string and swing it around a bit. ah damn, my cat is on the table>>

No Icon... that's a spoon...


And Lyra... how do you know if (blank) was or wasn't the first to poi???