Tok'yall: SUMO

Last weekend we went to the Sumo Tournament being held in Tokyo. There are 6 tournaments a year with every other tournament being held in Tokyo. The other 3 are held in Osaka, Kyushu, and Nagoya. A tournament lasts 15 days with each 'Rikishi' or Sumo Wrestler fighting a different opponent each day. The winner is the 'rikishi' with the best overall record.

These flags bear the names of the 'rikishi'. Drums are played from this tower at the beginning and end of the tournament each day except for after the final day.

The most polite line ever

Posing in the freezing cold in front of the arena

Trying to get our picture in front of the Sumo mural, but the sun will not cooperate.

Yuri and Aya pose as Sumo snacks

Inside the arena. Really not that much different from a US sporting event. Draft beers, popcorn, all the usuals...except nachos. But to make up for that they sell whiskey & sake, which amazingly enough come in glass bottles.

View from the lower level

Prior to each match the 'rikishi' hold their arms out and turn their hands upward and towards their opponent in a tradition to show that they are unarmed

The 'rikishi' raise their legs both to demonstrate their flexibility, which is quite impressive for men this large, but also to drive evil spirits from the ring when they stomp their foot back down on the 'dohyo' or ring.

Picture 1 of 3

Picture 2 of 3

Picture 3 of 3

The 'dohyo-iri' or entering the ring ceremony. These are the 'maku-uchi rikishi' which are the highest ranking group, although there are subrankings within the overall group.

Each day prior to competing each "team" from the east and west is introduced allowing the crowd to cheer for their favorites. While the 'rikishi' are divided into "teams" they do not compete as a team, nor do they necessarily only compete against 'rikishi' of the other team. It is simply a method of dividing the 'rikishi' for each tournament and teams change at each tournamnet based on rankings, while also change after each tournament.

The 'rikishi' exit the ring after their introductions and the matches begin. It is interesting to see the differneces in size and build. Some of them are huge both in height and weight, while others are a bit "smaller" and tend to be more well toned. There are no weight classes in Sumo so a 'rikishi' can face an opponent that is twice his own weight. There are 70 techniques used to defeat an opponent with some relying on size and strength while other rely on speed and agility and using your opponents size against him.

The Watanabe's getting a better view

I am told I look like Kotooshuu, the second 'rikishi' from the last, who is from Bulgaria.
I think if you look close you will realize he is not nearly hairy enough.

Kotooshuu preparing for a match. He is ranked as 'Ozeki' which is the 2nd highest rank a 'rikishi' can achieve.

Hakuho, the current 'Yokozuna' or highest rank of 'rikishi.' In the past 300 years since the title was created only 69 'rikishi' have been honored with this title. The Yokozuna, of all ranks, is the only position that cannot be demoted regardless of performance. To even be considered for this rank a 'rikishi' must have won 2 consecutive tournaments while holding the rank of 'Ozeki.'

The 'Yokozuna' performs the leading role in the 'dohyo-iri' ceremony. The white braided rope he is wearing has religious significance in Japan with the white zig zagged strips frequently seen hanging in Shinto shrines. The rope weighs 25-35 pounds.

Ceremonial stomping of the ring to drive out evil spirits.

Takumi, Watanabe-san's oldest son knew everything about every 'rikishi' and even knew the name of the technique each used to win. It was fun to watch the tournament with someone so knowledgeable.

Cheezu

Kinoto and Yuri and a bottle of sake

These banners are special sponsors for a particular fight. The more sponsors there are the higher the purse for the winner of that bout. Most fights do not have sponsors, but towards the end of the day the higher ranking 'Ozeki" will tend to have sponsors.

This is the first set of sponsors for Yokozuna Hakuho's fight, which is always the last fight of the day.

The second wave of sponsors

End of the second wave of sponsors

and finally the third wave of sponsors. You will notice that there are no women carrying banners. This is because women are never allowed onto the ring for any purpose.

The 'yumitori-shiki' or bow dance which is performed at the end of each day. This ceremony began during the Edo period when a winning 'rikishi' was awarded a prize of a bow and to express his satisfaction performed the "bow dance." This ceremony is considered an expression of satisfaction for all of the victorious 'rikishi' of the day.