Sumo pictures as promised

A couple of weeks ago I mentioned that the four of us had the opportunity to go to Sumo. I always thought (before coming to Japan) that Sumo wrestling happened all the time. In fact, Sumo, like American sports, has seasons.  About 3 times or 4 a year there are big Sumo events. Also like American sports, Sumo is not untouched by corruption.  A few years back some of the matches were fixed and Sumo really sank in popularity.  We found Sumo to be quite interesting--maybe even more so because many of the best Sumo wrestlers are not Japanese.  You also see Russians, Mongolians, and other nationalities competing. 

 

At the beginning and again at the end there is sort of a Sumo parade in which the wrestlers walk around the ring.  At the end, the sponsors of the event have big flag ads which are walked around the ring. (Just before the final round)

 

The emperor's box seen from our nosebleed section.  The emperor and empress did make an appearance for about the last hour of the event. (We were there on the first day of the Sumo tournament)

 

Preparing for the emperor's arrival.

 

The emperor and empress from afar.

 

Sumo wrestlers. The object is to push your opponent to the ground or out of the ring. The man in the kimono is a "referee" or judge.  Sometimes the Sumo wrestlers fall on the spectators on the mats below. We saw this happen a couple of times. The seats near the ring are highly prized, but also very non-western. They are boxes (roped off) with four little pillow mat things each.  So, four people per box sitting cross legged on on their knees the entire time. The entire time can be four or five hours or more--so a tough position.

 

A common Sumo view.