Japan Adventure

And beautiful murals on the right side of the front entrance to the building (and part of Stan's face!). This is SOOOO exciting!


Once inside, we hurry to find our seats. Although sumo has been going on most of the day, the Main Event begins just before 4 PM & ends at 6 PM when the highest-ranking wrestlers meet.


Rikishi (wrestlers) are divided up into two groups, East and West and each group is presented separately. They wear ornate, embroidered silk aprons called kesho-mawashi for this ceremony.


Each is introduced by name, rank, place of birth and step up into the dohjo (the ring) to create a circle. Then they leave the arena & change into their fighting mawashi, the long, silk belt that is wrapped & tied around them.


The gyoji (referee) wear beautiful embroidered silk kimono and black Shinto hats.


This is a bout between the heaviest wrestler Gagamaru (Georgia) at 438.7#and the lightest wrestler Takanoyama (Czech) at 216#. That's the referee in yellow. Of course all sumo wrestlers have taken a professional Japanese name when they enter Japanese sumo.


That empty (and private) area in front of that stairway entrance (next to the balcony wall) is where the Emperor and Empress sit when they attend a tournament. They usually only attend the first tournament in January, so of course they are not here today. Hatsu means First; used to describe the New Year basho in January.


This is a Mono-ii When judges meet to discuss the accuracy of a gyoji's decision. Sometimes it's difficult to tell who has stepped out of the ring, or touched the floor first.


Stan has brought us a special treat in a beautiful souvenir box!


Wow - it's solid chocolate - yum! But much too pretty to eat . . . Hmm, I wonder whatever happened to that chocolate???