A few weeks ago a friend and I went to a sumo tournament in Tokyo. What an experience! Sumo is by far the most eccentric sport I have ever seen. The rules are quite simple: push your opponent out of the designated fight circle, or make him touch the ground with any part of his body other than the feet.
In a way, the game is maybe the personification of everything Japanese. Each game starts with someone making a melodic call. Then the two wrestlers enter the ring and make some moves meant to invoke the good spirits and discourage the opponent. Some of the moves are rather funny, like lifting a leg, which can be a challenge in itself. At the same time, the ring referee makes some very acrobatic stretches at well, while five other side referees wait patiently. When they finish this ritual, the referee gives a sign and the bout starts with a fantastic force and intensity. The fight is over within seconds. It rarely lasts longer. Then the two wrestlers bow and leave the ring. No smiles, no celebrations, no emotions.
Obviously, to get any good at this sport one needs to be agile and massive. So young sumo wannabes start by joining a sumo school, where they train, eat and drink. The traditional food is a kind of Japanese soup, a greasy stew with fish, meat and vegetables, which can provide up to 20,000 calories per day. I’m not sure if the food is provided by the school, or if they have to pay for it, but I guess this is a bit like investing in your education.
One would think not too many kids dream of becoming a sumo star, given the extreme life (and size) of a sumo wrestler. However, it looks like the temptation is big. Top division players get a nice salary and they are very respected. And they get to date the hottest Japanese women.
For more pictures, see my Picasa album.
In a way, the game is maybe the personification of everything Japanese. Each game starts with someone making a melodic call. Then the two wrestlers enter the ring and make some moves meant to invoke the good spirits and discourage the opponent. Some of the moves are rather funny, like lifting a leg, which can be a challenge in itself. At the same time, the ring referee makes some very acrobatic stretches at well, while five other side referees wait patiently. When they finish this ritual, the referee gives a sign and the bout starts with a fantastic force and intensity. The fight is over within seconds. It rarely lasts longer. Then the two wrestlers bow and leave the ring. No smiles, no celebrations, no emotions.
Obviously, to get any good at this sport one needs to be agile and massive. So young sumo wannabes start by joining a sumo school, where they train, eat and drink. The traditional food is a kind of Japanese soup, a greasy stew with fish, meat and vegetables, which can provide up to 20,000 calories per day. I’m not sure if the food is provided by the school, or if they have to pay for it, but I guess this is a bit like investing in your education.
One would think not too many kids dream of becoming a sumo star, given the extreme life (and size) of a sumo wrestler. However, it looks like the temptation is big. Top division players get a nice salary and they are very respected. And they get to date the hottest Japanese women.
For more pictures, see my Picasa album.
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