SUMO!

Towards the end of January, in order to get out of the massive snow that was going on in Yamagata, a group of us decided to get out and get into the more happening, and (slightly warmer/less snowier (at least) Tokyo. Sumo was going to be happening, and we wanted to be a part of it! We went on the last weekend of the Sumo tournament, held in Asakusa. Me, Siobhan, Max and Rebecca went down a day before so that we could check out some of the nightlife of Tokyo in an area called Roppongi, famous for it. We went to a club called Yellow, which was really cool and had an excellent sound system. Consequently we were a little late (or early, depending on which way you look at it) to go to bed before the day of the Sumo tournament. We were a little tired, but Sumo is a pretty good and exciting sport to watch! 

Basically, a match lasts between 30 seconds to 2 minutes maximum and the rules are very simple: you either push a person out of the circle, or you make them fall over. So it requires very little concentration, which thus means you can enjoy the sport thoroughly! 

We went on the penultimate day of the tournament, so we were watching the big superstars play...not that I know them all, but the most famous one is Asashoryu. Sumo wrestlers can win certain titles - a bit like a league table, and Asashoryu is a Yokozuna - the highest rank. There can only be two at any one time. Anyway, we saw him win the match on the Saturday. But the day after, he lost to the other Yokozuna!!!

When I told people back in Nanyo that I had been to see Sumo live, they were very impressed - not many of them having seen it live themselves, and there was much talk about the defeat of Asashoryu!

Here is the final electric showdown between the two Yokozuna's.

You might think that this is just one part of the bar - where the drinks are bought, but this is actually the whole bar! It was very small. We didn't stop here...well, only to steal their warmth because it was freezing outside! There are lots of cool and interesting looking places in Tokyo - often times they're just very very small!

The packed Sumo venue in Asakusa, Tokyo.

The Sumo wrestlers process into the ring to introduce themselves. The aprons they wear are typically very expensive and colorful - often sponsored by various companies. Some have diamonds and stuff on them!

Getting ready to fight. Sumo is closely connected with the Japanese religion Shintoism - a branch of Buddhism. There are certain rituals the wrestler always perform. The guy at the back is popular at the moment. He comes from Mongolia, and he's on his way to become one of the top Sumo wrestlers.

...and now for some adverts! Yes, these people walking around the ring randomly popped up to promote various products! I loved it - a really good example of Japan fusing the traditional with the modern aspects of culture and life.

I had a very short-lived career as a Sumo wrestler...it didn't work out!

Tokyo is a city that never sleeps....almost - Shibuya at 5.30am isn't quite as illuminated as it normally is, but its still pretty busy. Actually - things were just starting to get busier - Starbucks was getting ready to open up at 6am. Gosh, we were out late...and before we went to sleep we had to go and get some tasty Ramen! It's the 'after-the-night-is-over' food of Japan!