Sumo 相撲

So at last i have some free time to update with new posts about life in Japan.

These past few weeks have been a killer with all the Final reports to be handed in for the fall semester. Tight just doesn't describe the sensation. The stress of the past few weeks was really a killer.

Lot's of interesting things to write about today.

First of all i went to see Sumo for the first time ever. I've see Sumo on TV in Jordan and in Japan, but to be actually there and see all the action up front was really a treat. We RARELY get outside the center and this was a very refreshing change.

Interior of the Kokgikan

This was the first Sumo tournament of the year "Hatsubasho 初場所". The 12th day of hatsubasho was held in Tokyo at the KOKUGIKAN　国技館. A very uniquely designed building. You get greeted at the entrance with a big wooden tower with drum on top. When you enter the guy that checks your ticket is actually a former Sumo wrestler (Rikishi　力士）. Security was unusually tight, which was quite weird (more on that later).

Entering the kokugikan, our group went to the secon floor seats, near the emprial box. The matches where already on with the lower rank Rikshis duking it out on the ring or Dohyou "土俵" It was interesting to see how the crowds grew larger as we approached the main matches where all the Big Rank riksihis, the Ozeki and the Yokozuna (only one at the moment) face each other.

There was a certain Tension in the air, many men clad in formal suites with earphones started filling our floor and blocking the exits. This was because the emperor and the empress were to attend that day. a few moments later they entered to a standing ovation form all the crowd. They were actually sitting not more than 10 meters from where we were sitting :D

Wow talk about a once in a lifetime chance :D
The emperor attended the rest of the matches.

It was quite a spectacle. Sumo is really popular in Japan. The really interesting thing is that foreigners now are participating and holding high ranks. The top Rank "Yokozuna" is Asashouryuu who is originally from Mongol , Many Ozekis are also not Japanese. I think it is quite nice to see this . It shows that culture trancends boundaries and now we live in a time and place were we share our cultures.

Sumo is an acquired taste. Not many are fond of seeing due over weight men sparring nearly naked. But if you look closely its quite interesting. Sumo is very Dynamic and fast with quick response and lots of on-the-edge-of your-seat moments. The highlight of the match was seeing Takamisakari, a unusually lovable but peculiar Rikishi winning the days round. Yokozuna Asashouryuu as usual gave a performance befitting his title, winning all but one round to become the 5^th person in history to acquire the title tournament winner for more than 5 times.

The day was capped with a very nice trip back home and a night out with the “Les Shuushi Miserables” :P at a nice Italian restaurant.

I took this Video of the Rikshis lining up in rows in the Ring entrance ceremony or Dohyouiri 土俵入り　 (they usualy line up in a circle but this day they lined up this way because the emperor attended).

This really a genuine UkYouTube Production.

Not many pics though

I had the misfortune of maxxing out my cameras memory card that day. I wish I remembered to free some space before going out :P

That concludes my sumo adventure for today. We really need a Jordanian Sumo federation. Anyone volunteering ?

For more Sumo Shenanigans check out http://www.sumo.or.jp/eng/index.html