 Most viewed - Sumo 相撲 |
Sumo match with kids1927 viewsA retirement ceremony for an important sumo wrestler includes a variety of activities besides the actual ceremony of cutting away the topknot. It involves almost the entire Japan Sumo Association, and most wrestlers in the top three divisions (Makushita, Juryo, and Makunouchi) also appear in exhibition matches.
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Snip by Yokozuna Asashoryu and a symbolic passing of the baton from one foreign yokozuna to the next (and only) foreign yokozuna.1480 viewsMongolia's Golden Age of Sumo has begun.
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Yokozuna Musashimaru1313 viewsHis last dohyo-iri.
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Musashimaru's final dohyo-iri1275 views
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Asashoryu sips water offered by Ozeki Chiyotaikai1156 viewsAs soon as Asashoryu entered the arena, many wrestlers went up to him to offer water as a show of respect.
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Asashoryu and Tochiazuma1088 viewsAfter offering water, Tochiazuma shares a laugh with the yokozuna.
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Musashimaru right after I shook his hand.1028 views
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The final cut by stablemaster Musashigawa Oyakata.973 views
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Kumu hula Sonny Ching beats the ipu gourd drum, a traditional Hawaiian instrument. This must be a first, a kumu hula performing on the sumo ring in Japan.965 views
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Final match of the day with Yokozuna Asashoryu950 views
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Friends after all917 viewsKyokushuzan chats with fellow Mongolian Asashoryu.
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Grand sumo tournaments are held six times a year in Jan., March, May, July, Sept., and Nov. They are held at Ryogoku Kokugikan arena in Tokyo in Jan., May, and Sept. In March, it is in Osaka, July in Nagoya, and Nov. in Fukuoka. This is the Kokugikan.834 views
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809 viewsA retirement ceremony for an important sumo wrestler includes a variety of activities besides the actual ceremony of cutting away the topknot. It involves almost the entire Japan Sumo Association, and most wrestlers in the top three divisions (Makushita, Juryo, and Makunouchi) also appear in exhibition matches.
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Takamisakari for butsuri keiko804 viewsEverybody cheered whenever he entered the ring.
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The Kokugikan as seen from JR Ryogoku Station platform.793 views
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Musashigawa Stable wrestler wearing Aloha-print yukata791 viewsFlowery pattern (plumeria) with "Musashimaru" imprinted.
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Musashimaru and his flowers784 viewsThis was his last appearance at this retirement ceremony.
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"Robocop" Takamisakari gets ready763 viewsThe top-division Makunouchi wrestlers went through their matches quickly.
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Konishiki also sings. (His company arranged the entertainment.)762 views
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Snip and a hug by Konishiki (Question: Where was Akebono??)701 views
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Former yokozuna Taiho, Takanosato, Kotozakura, and Wakanohana watch intently.696 views
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Ryogoku Kokugikan sumo arena as seen from Ryogoku Station650 views
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Tying the rope at the back.643 views
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He was grim-faced all throughout643 views
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Musashimaru minus his topknot640 views
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Crazy sumo fan634 viewsThey also sold the real banzuke for 50 yen.
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Rear view of the shiranui style of tying the rope.629 viewsHe turned in all four directions to show everyone what it looked like. This is what is called the shiranui style of tying the rope. It is characterized by a single loop in the back. The other style, called unryu, has twin loops.
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Hawaii's last sumo wrestler shakes hands.625 viewsIf he were married, his wife would be beside him.
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Konishiki is called and he enters614 views
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Snip by Musashimaru's brother610 views
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The bow twirler is a Makushita Division wrestler (third highest division). Afterward, the entire sumo ring is covered with a cloth. Also see my Kokugikan photos here.608 views
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But his mom cannot step on the sumo ring...604 viewsFemales are prohibited from entering the sumo ring. Barring women from stepping onto the sumo ring, even to give an award to a wrestler, is one of the most blatant and preposterous forms of sexual discrimination in Japan. It was devised centuries ago, and for the sake of tradition, traditionalists in the sumo world have maintained this extremely absurd custom and belief that women are considered to be impure (due to menstruation). I'm not saying this as a gaijin (foreigner) who likes to criticize Japan or the Japanese. Nor am I saying this as a women's rights advocate. I say this from the standpoint of plain, old common sense.
Up to 1909, women were actually not allowed enter a sumo arena to view sumo matches. And once upon a time, women were prohibited from setting foot on sacred Mt. Fuji. Can you imagine if these traditions were still being practiced today?
Such discriminatory practices were abolished long ago, and here we are in the 21st century with women still unable to step into the sumo ring. The Japan Sumo Association has constantly rejected requests from important female ministers in the Prime Minister's Cabinet to give an award to the tournament winner in the sumo ring.
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Signboard for retirement ceremony at entrance.602 viewsIt reads "Musashimaru, Intai Danpatsu Hiroo Ozumo" which means "Musashimaru Topknot-Cutting and Retirement Sumo Exhibition."
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More blood relatives (or brothers)599 views
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They wrap the rope around his waist from the front, or the thickest part of the rope.596 viewsThis was a demonstration on how they tie on the thick, white rope (tsuna) around his waist. The tsuna is the symbol of the yokozuna. It takes several assistants to put it on. They are all wearing white gloves.
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Snip by stablemate Ozeki Musoyama592 views
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Box seats. Cramped space for four people.587 views
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Me next please!!!567 viewsThe winner gets to decide who to wrestle next. The rikishi all beg to be picked.
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Nephews give a flower bouquet (they can step on the sumo ring)565 views
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Comic sumo (shokkiri sumo)563 viewsThis is comedy time with two young wrestlers performing various comical antics (spitting at each other, kicking, and other illegal sumo acts) on the ring.
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553 views
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Musashimaru's final dohyo-iri553 views
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Snip by Kitanoumi, the head of the Japan Sumo Association553 views
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Ozeki Musoyama is defeated.552 views
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Pulling it tight551 views
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Oh, I gotta take a picture of this...549 viewsLook at the gyoji referee who must be thinking, "C'mon, hurry up!"
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Musashimaru's final dohyo-iri548 viewsHe could have had Yokozuna Asashoryu be either the sword bearer or dew sweeper, but he chose to have his stablemates to join his final dohyo-iri.
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Musashimaru finally appears for a yokozuna belt demo546 views
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Giant painted pictures of Musashimaru decorating the arena inside. Each one commemorates a tournament victory.545 viewsThese giant pictures are actually black-and-white photographs taken in a photo studio and printed on large paper. Then it is hand-painted in color by a woman who has been doing it for years.
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Comic sumo (shokkiri sumo)543 viewsThis is comedy time with two young wrestlers performing various comical antics (spitting at each other, kicking, and other illegal sumo acts) on the ring.
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His mom is next...543 views
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Musashimaru's final dohyo-iri538 views
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Bow twirling (called Yumitori-shiki) is the final ceremony at the end of the tournament day which is around 6 pm. 538 views
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The End of Hawaii's Golden Age in sumo. For the first time since 1968, no wrestler from Hawaii is in the top Makunouchi division.533 views
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Yumitori-shiki bow-twirling ceremony533 views
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Makushita sumo match528 viewsLower-division wrestlers wear black belts, while the upper division wrestlers wear white belts (during practice) or colored belts during official matches.
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The scissors (golden)525 viewsI think it was given by French President Chirac who is a sumo fan.
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Musashimaru acknowledges a spectator as he proceeds to the ring.522 viewsThis was a demonstration on how they tie on the thick, white rope (tsuna) around his waist. The tsuna is the symbol of the yokozuna. It takes several assistants to put it on. They are all wearing white gloves.
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More people than the real tournament519 viewsAbout 8,000 people took time out from their Golden Week holidays to see this official sumo practice of all sumo stables.
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Sumo jinku509 viewsThey are singing sumo jinku, a chant-like song about sumo and sumo wrestlers. They are singing about Musashimaru and his career.
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Musashigawa stablemaster (former Yokozuna Mienoumi) in the entrance hall507 viewsInside the entrance hallway, there was a long table on the left side with ribbons which served as name tags for distinguished guests. Musashigawa is the name of Musashimaru's sumo stable.
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Practice503 views
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Panoramic shot of the Kokugikan501 viewsNotice the upper floor was quite empty, similar to Akebono's retirement ceremony.
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Asashoryu joins in496 views
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Musashimaru greets the crowd495 views
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Musashimaru's final dohyo-iri ends495 views
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He performs his last yokozuna dohyo-iri ring-entering ceremony. He is flanked by Musoyama on the left as the sword bearer, and Miyabiyama on the right as the dew sweeper.490 views
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Snip by actor Hiroshi Fujioka, who played Kamen Rider in the '70s.489 views
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It is really good! Different flavors are offered during different days of the tournament. Top is shoyu (soy sauce) flavor, and bottom is salt flavor. Miso flavor is also offered.486 views
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Awaiting the final cut as we listen to one of his famous matches.483 views
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Exiting the building482 views
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479 views
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Yokozuna "tsuna" belt demo478 views
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The Bulgarian (Kotooshu) on the left477 views
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476 views
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474 views
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473 views
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Hairdressing demonstration472 views
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This is the lower level with zabuton box seats costing over 10,000 yen.465 views
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The yobidashi changes once in a while. Dressed in black and sitting as one of the judges is former yokozuna Chiyonofuji, now Kokonoe oyakata.464 views
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The kids gradually get bigger.460 views
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Male hula dancer at one corner458 viewsThe original plan was for the hula dancers to perform on the ring itself. But at the last minute, Musashimaru decided that it was not appropriate so they danced outside the ring.
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Snip by singer Shigeru Matsuzaki456 viewsFamous for his classic hit, "Ai no Memory."
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The thrown cushions are hastily piled up at ringside.452 views
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Panorama shot of sumo arena during a sumo tournament. There are two levels.450 views
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Musashimaru doll449 views
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Both ozeki watch448 views
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Musashimaru goes back and then comes back...446 views
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Asashoryu in the face-off444 views
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Butsuri keiko441 views
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Makunouchi dohyo-iri441 viewsNext was exhibition sumo matches by the top-division Makunouchi wrestlers. Musashimaru never appeared again.
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Head supporter speaks440 views
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Asashoryu later won440 views
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Makunouchi dohyo-iri437 views
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Calling Musashimaru (with a conch shell)433 views
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Yokozuna Asashoryu performs his dohyo-iri ring-entering ceremony429 views
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The retirement ceremony had a lot of Hawaiian touches. This was only the beginning.428 viewsHula dancers and live Hawaiian band from Hawaii.
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This must be a first, a kumu hula (hula teacher) from Hawaii performing on the sumo ring.420 viewsHe is Sonny Ching, a well-known hula teacher in Hawaii. He brought four male hula dancers who danced at the four corners of the ring.
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In the entrance hall, hula and Hawaiian music direct from Hawaii418 views
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Upper level and VIP booth.416 views
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The chair415 views
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Upper level and giant sumo portraits of 32 past tournament winners. As of Jan. 2012, there are no portraits of Japanese sumo wrestlers. Only foreigners.415 views
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Here he comes...414 views
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Takamisakari wins413 views
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Giant portrait of Yokozuna Akebono412 viewsThese are B/W photographs painted over with oil.
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He goes back to the dressing room411 views
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Asashoryu gets thrown399 views
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Juryo sumo match398 views
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Juryo Division dohyo-iri ring-entering ceremony396 views
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395 views
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A "darn it" look on his face392 views
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Sumo exhibition matches with lower division Makushita wrestlers.392 viewsA retirement ceremony for an important sumo wrestler includes a variety of activities besides the actual ceremony of cutting away the topknot. It involves almost the entire Japan Sumo Association, and most wrestlers in the top three divisions (Makushita, Juryo, and Makunouchi) also appear in exhibition matches.
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Sumo ring and suspended roof (no pillars).392 views
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Ready to pounce on the winner391 views
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Sumo scoreboard. The names of all the wrestlers are displayed in the order of the sumo matches (from right to left). The winner is indicated with a red lamp. Names of sumo wrestlers absent from the tournament (due to injury, etc.) are listed on the far le389 views
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Asashoryu exchanges a few words388 viewsAfter the practice was over at 11 am, the sole yokozuna went over to the council.
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387 views
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Makunochi dohyo-iri ring-entering ceremony387 views
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Asashoryu greets the council upon entry382 views
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382 views
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Asashoryu collects a big paycheck.379 views
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The ceremony opens with taiko drum beating on the sumo ring.376 views
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Laying the red carpet for the main event.375 views
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Musashimaru souvenirs at the Kokugikan's souvenir shop374 views
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Makunouchi dohyo-iri374 views
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Yobidashi wearing Aloha-print garb369 views
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Giant portrait of Yokozuna Takanohana369 views
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Musashigawa Stable wrestlers greet visitors365 viewsIncludes Miyabiyama and Musoyama.
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Giant portrait of Yokozuna Musashimaru365 views
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363 views
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Makunouchi dohyo-iri362 views
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Musashimaru merchandise350 views
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Entrance hall is clogged up by a side show of hula.349 views
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348 views
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Finish, everybody out please...346 views
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Giant portrait of Yokozuna Asashoryu345 views
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VIP booth or "Royal Box" where the Emperor and Empress (or Crown Prince and Princess) or head of state watch sumo.343 views
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I'm waiting...342 views
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Ama, another Mongolian and now Yokozuna Harumafuji. The Mongolians are taking over the top echelons of sumo dominated by foreigners. We haven't had a Japanese yokozuna since 2003.342 views
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Shinto-style roof. If the house is full, the "Full House" banners are rolled down above the roof. (Now rolled up.)338 views
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Musashimaru at the entrance336 views
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Tidying up the ring335 views
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Break333 viewsAsashoryu took a water break between each practice bout.
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Upper level seats.331 views
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Taiko drum demonstration327 views
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Hakuho collects his pay.325 views
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Yokozuna Deliberation Council members321 viewsIn the middle is Kitanoumi.
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Sumo figurines.319 views
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Box seat for two.315 views
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Crowd outside the Kokugikan await their favorite wrestlers.311 views
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Wrestlers wait until everyone is on the ring. Notice that Takamisakari (second from the left) and the rikishi on the far right have almost the same aprons. They will serve as the sword bearer and dew sweeper for the yokozuna ring-entering ceremony.309 views
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Baruto, from Estonia, at the center. He's well on his way to become Ozeki. There are many foreign sumo wrestlers. Unfortunately, there are none from Hawaii. Mostly Europeans and Mongolians.308 views
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Sumo elders in the front row307 views
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Musoyama (in Sept. 2004).302 views
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The striking yokozuna upset makes the crowd go wild as they throw zabuton cushions in glee.299 views
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He stomps the ground to drive away evil.291 views
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He extends his arms to show that he conceals no weapons. I'm not too crazy about the way Asashoryu does the dohyo-iri though. A few little details make it less dignified.285 views
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283 views
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Door to arena.278 views
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Passing out programs276 views
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Lecture classroom (previously used as a dining room for chanko-nabe during tournaments). 相撲教習所270 views
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Crowd enters the Kokugikan for Musashimaru's retirement ceremony on Oct. 2, 2004.268 views
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Kotooshu sits on his own cushion at ringside before his bout.264 views
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Kokugikan ticket office (right). Ticket prices range from 2,100 yen to 14,300 yen.259 views
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257 views
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Entrance lobby. At the end of the lobby is a trophy showcase. On the last day of the tournament, the tournament winner will walk through here to his car for a victory parade amid a large crowd.255 views
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At the gate, you might see a famous former wrestler (like former Takamiyama from Hawaii, now Stablemaster Azumazeki) taking your ticket.254 views
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Kokugikan ticket office. Cheap tickets costing 2,100 yen are sold every day of the tournament, but sell out fast by noon or so.252 views
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Sumo wrestlers enter through a side entrance. Fans wait for their favorite wrestlers.252 views
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The chairman of the Japan Sumo Association (shown here is Kitanoumi) greets the crowd and thanks everyone for coming.250 views
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Asashoryu performing the yokozuna dohyo-iri or ring-entering ceremony. There are two styles of the yokozuna dohyo-iri. One is the Unryu style which Asashoryu performs. One hand is on his hip as he rises here. 雲龍型248 views
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He claps his hands to get the attention of the gods. 横綱土俵入り246 views
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Corridor and souvenir shops.244 viewsA corridor encircles the arena.
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Way to Kokugikan. The guarded side gate on the right is for sumo wrestlers.243 views
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Sumo mural in lobby.237 views
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The sign reads "Physical body, Technique, Heart." What you need to succeed in sumo.237 views
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Nameplates of tournament winners on Emperor's Cup236 views
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Kokugikan232 views
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Next to the chanko dining room is a sumo ring for practice and deliberation exhibition matches.232 views
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During a sumo exhibition tour in the US, first lady Nancy Reagan rejected having the yokozuna ring-entering ceremony performed in the Rose Garden of the White House. It was performed at the State Department instead with Secretary George Schultz attending.230 views
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Sumo Museum. Open only during tournament days. Free admission.229 viewsThe wall on the left show portraits of all the yokozuna in the modern era.
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Ozeki Kakuryu in an 2013.228 views
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The sumo matches have five judges (shinpan), dressed in formal black kimono, sitting on each of the four sides of the sumo ring. There is also a referee (gyoji) on the ring. This is former yokozuna Takanohana who has lost much weight and looks like a kid.227 views
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Sumo wrestler and sumo stable banners226 views
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There are about 800 sumo wrestlers, called rikishi, and they belong to one of six divisions. Each day of the tournament starts in the morning with the lower divisions as you see here. They are skinnier and wear drab-looking black mawashi.225 views
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If you want to photograph sumo, you'll need a good telephoto lens. The sumo ring has mostly tungsten lighting.225 views
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The tournament winner receives numerous prizes from various organizations and companies.224 views
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Trophy case in lobby. This is the Emperor's Cup awarded to the tournament winner.223 views
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The higher ranking rikishi are at the end of the line. (Hakuho and Kotooshu here).220 views
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Ozeki Kotooshu.220 views
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Hakuho throws salt on the sumo ring.220 views
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Yokozuna Hakuho219 views
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Kokkai means "Black Sea."218 views
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Taiko drum tower217 views
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Each tournament is 15 days long, and each wrestler in the top two divisions wrestle once a day. A wrestler must win at least 8 times during a tournament to get promoted. Otherwise, he is demoted in rank. The more he wins, the higher he is promoted.217 views
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In the back on the left is a prize from Mexico and one from Hungary on the right. In the front on the left is a prize from Mongolia, middle is from NHK, and right is from China.210 views
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Yokozuna Harumafuji208 views
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The wrestlers are divided into east and west, and both groups perform the dohyo-iri. They wear colorful ceremonial aprons called kesho mawashi made of silk. They can cost up to 500,000 yen.207 views
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Ozeki Kotooshu with an apron by Bulgaria Yogurt. (Kotooshu is from Bulgaria.)207 views
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Roho vs. Tochiazuma206 views
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Print Club photo sticker booth.205 views
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Often the wrestlers will lock onto each other while gripping each other's mawashi belts (made of silk). (Ozeki Kaio vs. Tamanoshima in May 2005.)203 views
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Prime Minister's Cup on left, the middle is the President Chirac Award from France, and the glass on the right is a prize from the Czech Republic.202 viewsPresident Chirac is a sumo fan. There is also a Czech wrestler in the lower division.
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One colorful highlight each day during a tournament is the dohyo-iri ring-entering ceremony performed by rikishi in the top two divisions. These are rikishi in the second highest division called Juryo. 十両202 views
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On the first day of the tournament, the chairman of the Japan Sumo Association (shown here is Kitanoumi) and top rikishi go on the ring to convey greetings to the crowd.202 views
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202 views
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The colorful kesho mawashi are expensive to make, and each wrestler has a sponsor who donates an apron. The sponsor's name is usually on the bottom.201 views
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There goes Asashoryu.201 views
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Front of Kokugikan. The wide stairs make it quick for many people to exit the building. It is a sleek, modern building with a spacious interior. The roof collects rainwater for use in the toilets.199 views
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Takamisakari197 views
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Prize from the United Arab Emirates.196 views
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Then they throw salt onto the ring for purification. They do this a few times before the match. These are all Shinto-based religious rituals. Even the roof above the sumo ring looks like a Shinto shrine roof.191 views
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They glare at each other a few times before the match. They repeat the salt throwing and glaring for four minutes before the match starts.191 views
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There are many sumo techniques (called kimarite) to defeat the opponent. This is okuridashi or rear push out. Once your back is toward the opponent, you have little chance to recover.190 views
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The two rikishi who were called up go on the ring and stomp their foot.189 views
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Next we have the ring-entering ceremony by the top division wrestlers in the Makunouchi Division. Rikishi from the east side come down the aisle first. They are led by a referee.188 views
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The initial charge or tachiai is crucial, and can determine who will win the match. The rikishi on the right has charged earlier than the other, giving him the advantage.188 views
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Overarm throw called uwatenage.187 views
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The sumo tournaments are broadcast live every day on TV by NHK, focusing on the Makunouchi Division matches.186 views
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After the last wrestler is on the ring, they all turn around and raise their arms.185 views
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The referee is thrown into the crowd by the wrestler (by accident, of course). An attendant carries the water bucket out of the way so the referee does not crash into it and spill the water. A judge looks on concerned, while some spectators are amused.183 views
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Asashoryu and Hakuho glare at each other.183 views
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Sumo figurines.183 views
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The rikishi sits at ringside until his name is called by the yobidashi (caller or usher) here who is announcing the wrestler's name while holding a fan.180 views
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Takamisakari does his "Robocop" act in his corner to psych himself up.180 views
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Kotooshu is from Bulgaria.180 views
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Many matches also have sponsor who pay money to the winner of the match. Each banner represents a sponsor.179 views
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After you go through the ticket gate, the front of Kokugikan has two large murals.179 views
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Getting off the sumo ring.178 views
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Sumo scoreboard. The names of all the wrestlers are displayed in the order of the sumo matches (from right to left). The winner is indicated with a red lamp.178 views
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Sumo wrestler banners177 views
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Hakuho, before he became yokozuna.177 views
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177 views
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Then they rinse their mouths with water for purification. Another wrestler holds the water ladle and tissue paper.176 views
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On the ring, they spread their arms to show that they carry no weapons.175 views
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175 views
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Giant portrait of Ozeki Kotooshu.175 views
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Taiko drum tower172 views
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Sometimes a match is too close to call. The ringside judges will hold a conference in the ring and either decide who was the winner or declare a rematch. The referee must accept the decision. Judges in the video room may also examine a replay on video.172 views
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Old Nameplates of tournament winners that were on the Emperor's Cup.170 views
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Entrance to the dining room for chanko-nabe. It's downstairs in the basement.170 views
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169 views
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Kokugikan Cafe snack bar168 views
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168 views
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The chanko-nabe menu changes a few times during the tournament. The recipes are from various sumo stables.168 views
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