SUMO at the Ryogoku

I've seen Sumo on TV, but actually seeing the massive hulking fleshy man-bodies with your own eyes gives a greater appreciation for this traditional Japanese sport. I love the fact that it's really just a kid's game: who can push the other out of bounds first. But of course, the Japanese have raised it to a perfected ceremonial art form. It is colorful for the eyes, beautiful for the ears and highly entertaining. Would I rather watch baseball, football, kickball or Sumo? Sumo. It's faster moving, so there's more of an instant gratification. Most matches are over by the time you've asked yourself "Who's going to win?" about 5 times. The longer matches are really thrilling, because there is the element of rapidly mounting suspense, and then BAM! A huge nearly naked fat man becomes air born. This is most of the fun, watching how the victor manages to push, shove, slap, lift, haul, or throw his opponent out of the ring, or just down on the ground.

During this 2-week tournament, the last matches of the day begin at 4:00. That's when the best wrestlers compete with each other. At the beginning of this part of the event, they came out in 2 groups, East and West. The first group paraded around the ring wearing their apron-like garbs. They did a short arm dance, and then retreated. Then the second group came out, paraded, danced and retreated. Then 2 guys, one from each group did a ceremonial dance for each other.

Then finally the matches started.

Here is one of the representatives of the 2 divisions, doing his pre-match dance.

The ring had to be watered and swept frequently.

There were some upsets yesterday, and I was surprised by a couple of them. Some lean and lighter guys beat guys who must have had 100 pounds on them. But it came down to strength and technique, and the leaner guys won. We had English commentary coming into our ears through little radios we rented, and that really helped to understand some of the moves, (all the Sumo moves have names) and gave us some background on the players. Many of the wrestlers were injured. Lots of taped knees, ankles, wrists and shoulders. One guy had what looked like a bruise on his entire left cheek. And I don't mean face.

That was just one more extremely fun, fascinating and wondrous experience I could only get here in Japan. Lots of smiles and laughter with Robin and friends Terry and Ben. Thanks again, Tokyo!