SUMO Wrestling!

Sumo tournaments are held about 3 or 4 times a year I think. Managed to land in Tokyo during the last few days of the January one. I got in contact with a couple of Aussie travelers I friended in Kyoto and organized to go see sumo with them. Bought along a couple dutch and an aussie from my new hostel too. Tickets were only $30 for the back most seats but we slid down closer as was safe so we ended up getting very good view for the majority of the day.

Overall was an extremely cool experience. Soo incredibly Japanese. The matches are exciting as big behemoths of men struggle with eachothers' sweaty girths to outsmart, or outplay them into the dirt. The spectacle is chock full of ceremonial shit. With judges dressed to a tee in ceremonial wear, and enough salt throwing prior to each bout (about 4 or 5 times before they actually start) to preserve any food morsel (or ward off bad spirits which I think is the real intention).


The Arena early in the day.  Players are split into two arbitrary 'sides'  East & West.  They enter from respective gates and verse opponents from the other side.


The crowd seats


Welcoming ritual.  A bit like a really lazy kiwi hakka dance :P


Some of the worlds best sumos getting ready to go for eachother.


Video referee.  When an opponent's fall out of a circle is unclear if it was first or second they call on others.  If still undecided/not unanimous then they call a rematch which is always exciting.


Toward the final/best sumos they did a ceremony where the leading sumo (we think) did some massive ground stomping and a small dance type movements.


Some of the worlds best fighting to push out of the ring, or make them fall over & touch the ground.