Tokyo -- Grand Sumo Tournament

Our trip to Tokyo just happened to coincide with the Grand Sumo Tournament, so naturally, we scored two tickets and decided to check it out.  The tournament lasts for about 2 weeks, with matches taking place everyday from about 9 AM until around 6 PM.  Our hosts in Tokyo told us that we'd probably get bored after an hour or two, so they suggested that we head to the arena around 4 PM, because that's when the more exciting ceremonies and matches take place.  I wouldn't say we were bored at all, just pretty confused about all of the pre-bout formalities.  The wrestlers would meet in the center of the ring about 3 or 4 times before the actual match would happen.  Each time, the two combatants would go through a series of motions that seemed to be solely for the sake of intimidation.  However, thanks to this thing called the internet, I was able to figure out what all of the rituals mean.

Ritual 1: Each wrestler faces the audience, claps his hands, and performs a leg stomping shinto exercise to drive evil spirits away from the dohyo (ring).

Ritual 2: The wrestlers return to their respective corners to sip from a ladle of chikara-mitzu (power water) and wipe their bodies with chikara-gami (power paper).

Ritual 3: This is probably the most recognizable of all sumo practices.  Each wrestler squats, facing each other in the center of the ring.  They lift each one of their legs high off of the ground, traditionally, this is to show that they are carrying no weapons.

Ritual 4: Returning to their corners, they toss a handful of purifying salt into the ring.

Ritual 5: The opponents meet at their starting lines and attempt to stare each other down before returning to their corners for final mental preparation and more salt throwing.

Finally, it's time for the contest to begin.  The match is over when a wrestler drives his opponent from the ring, or forces his opponent to the floor.  I must admit, I found the matches to be pretty exciting and even though I wasn't sure what all of the preparation was about, it did make for some nice suspense.

view from our seats

the dohyo

pre-match ceremony

no weapons

sumoing

final bow ceremony

I was able to capture a few videos.  Here's one of the earlier matches:

And here's a video of the final bout:

If you're anything like me, you're probably wondering about a sumo wrestler's diet. Fret not, for I have done extensive research (wikipedia) and I'd love to share my findings.  Believe it or not, a sumo actually skips breakfast.  I know, I know, this may come as a shock, but I assure you, these guys are not allowed to eat until lunch time.  They make up for it by devouring a huge lunch called chankonabe. Chankonabe is a stew that is cooked at the table and it consists of various meats, fish, vegetables, and rice.  The wrestlers are then encouraged to wash down this giant meal with plenty of beer so that they can take a nice long nap, ensuring that the calories they have just consumed won't be going anywhere.

What are you looking at?