Badminton has had a place in Asian lore for over 500 years (16th century). Back then, it was purely a recreational pastime called Hanetsuki(Japan) or Ti Zian Ji (China). These sports greatly differed because the Japanese did not use nets and the Chinese used their feet. However, along with Anime, Purikura, Fortune Cookies, and many other aforementioned topics, badminton has rode the bok choy truck all around the world. Even though badminton originally lacked the net and fancy rackets commercialized today, its impact is seen around the world.

Source: Asian Central