Grand Sumo!

Ahh! The grand sumo tournament was AMAZING! I didn't expect it could actually be all that exciting and I'm not a sports person AT ALL. My neighbor brought over a book all about the history and rules and culture of sumo when I told her we got tickets.  I stayed up way past my bedtime a couple of nights trying to get the book read before we went.  I assumed that sumo was similar to wrestling so the competitors would be matched based on their weight-wrong! Basically at around age 15, a boy has to find a 'stable' where he gets a 'stablemaster' to vouch for him. To enter their first tournament, they have to weigh at least 75 kilos (roughly 150lbs), be at least 173cm tall, be between 15 and 23 years old, and have their stablemaster with them. They have to go through a rigorous physical as well.  From what I understand they don't have any experience at this point.  If they win their first match, then they get 'promoted' and go to go 'sumo school,' where they live as apprentices.  They live there and train from 4:30 in the morning until evening; though it isn't all physical training.   The youngest "rikishi" start at 4:30 and the higher ranked "rikishi" get to sleep in until 7:30 or so. They only eat twice a day; lunch and dinner.  The young rikishi are assigned to the higher ranking and essentially become their servants (but it's also an honor). As they win their matches in the tournaments, they can promote. If they lose, they can be demoted. There's only one rank where the guy cannot be demoted, and that's the top rank, Yokozuna.  Instead of a demotion, they 'retire.'

This is the "Banzuke" or the official ranking chart

I'm having a hard time deciding how much to write, because it's all so interesting! Even the clothes they wear change based on their ranking! One major thing I feel I should note, is the top knot.  I assumed they all wore the fanned out top knot you see in pictures, but it's actually only the top ranking rikishi that get to wear it (and the person that does it for him can spend years practicing this skill alone). Another thing to point out (in case you ever watch a match) is that, once again, based on rank they get a certain number of minutes before their match actually begins for in ring pre-bout match time.  This is where they stand off, then walk away and do the funny one leg lift stomp (where the audience goes wild). I guess it's purpose is it intimidate the opponent and add suspense? I'm not exactly sure.  If the rikishi purposefully delays the start of the match after this set time, he can be fined (sometimes quite a lot, like 50,000Y-$500). Also, based on rank they are allowed to use the 'strength water' by the ring and the 'purifying salts' that they throw onto it. When it comes to the actual match, the person who touches the ring with a hand, leg, or anything but their feet really loses.  More often than not one person gets flung from the ring into the spectators!

Obviously I could go on on, but I won't. We had a blast watching the tournament and would love to go again.  There are 6 every year, so hopefully we can make another. We had the cheap seats which were pretty far away, but found out that the seats closest to the ring can costs tens of thousands of dollars, they even had a special hallway in the building where you had to purchase those tickets.  It was decorated with cherry blossoms and had people that brought you delicious food and beverages.  These seats are also on the floor...

Our cub LOVED it. He clapped and signed "more" after each match.

Sumo snacks

The cub wanted the beer snacks, haha

We got him ice cream instead (it was wrapped in a "cone"). Reminded me of the Styrofoam-like cones in the US, only it surrounded the ice cream. 

I hope you enjoyed the photos! If you're interested in more sumo info, just ask! It's all very interesting and quite elaborate! The book I read is called "Grand Sumo Fully Illustrated"  edited by PHP Institute INC and translated by Deborah Iwabuchi.