 Most viewed - Yokozuna Kitanoumi Memorial Hall 横綱北の湖記念館 |
The mannequin is a slightly larger-than-life likeness of Yokozuna Kitanoumi performing the Yokozuna Dohyo-iri (ring-entering ceremony). Yokozuna Kitanoumi Memorial Hall, Sobetsu, Hokkaido340 views
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It sort of looks like Kitanoumi...297 views
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The Yokozuna Kitanoumi Ki'nenkan or Memorial Hall looks like a miniature version of the Ryogoku Kokugikan sumo arena in Tokyo. Although it's near Lake Toya, it's off the main tourist road. There is a bus stop nearby, but I rented a bicycle.196 views
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When I got to the museum, the parking lot was quite full. It seemed that the museum was really popular. But most of them were there to play at the miniature golf course next to the museum.168 views
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Miniature golf course163 views
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His Yokozuna "tsuna" rope belt.156 views
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He is doing the Unryu-style dohyo-iri.148 views
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Kitanoumi as a young sumo wrestler. Even as Ozeki, he already had the aura of a Yokozuna. He had an ideal sumo physique, quiet dignity, and awesome sumo technique and power. He was a shoo-in to be a yokozuna.145 views
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In July 1974, he became the youngest sumo wrestler to be promoted to Yokozuna at age 21. His 18-year sumo career included 24 tournament championships.135 views
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Kitanoumi souvenirs for sale.125 views
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Actual-size ringside seats are also on display.123 views
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The sumo ring is not made of real dirt.121 views
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It looks kind of strange without his two attendants, the sword bearer and dew sweeper...120 views
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Above is an actual tournament champion giant portrait which once hung in the Kokugikan.117 views
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Kitanoumi's kesho mawashi set (ceremonial apron) on display.116 views
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Natural history exhibit115 views
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Power generation machinery114 views
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Tournament champion portrait. Kitanoumi retired in Jan. 1985 and started his own Kitanoumi Stable. In 2002, he became chairman of the Japan Sumo Association. We missed Kitanoumi, but another great Yokozuna from Hokkaido, Chiyonofuji, filled the void.113 views
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Local wildlife exhibit, including the Ezo deer.113 views
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Little Kitanoumi. He was born in May 1953 in Sobetsu-cho town which includes the eastern shore of Lake Toya (Toyako). At age 13, he moved to Tokyo and entered the Mihogaseki Stable.111 views
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Referee costumes in the showcase.111 views
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And some of his trophies. Besides the Emperor's Cup (not displayed), the tournament champion receives numerous trophies and awards from various organizations and countries.109 views
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Typical abode of early Hokkaido settlers who first came to this area in 1879.109 views
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Photos of other tournament champions. Six official 15-day sumo tournaments are held every year in Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya, and Fukuoka.108 views
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Top row has miniature versions of the tournament champion portraits awarded to the wrestler and hung in the Ryogoku Kokugikan. Bottom row of photos show his best career moments.107 views
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This is the main room of the Kitanoumi Memorial Hall. It includes half of a sumo ring (dohyo) with a mannequin.107 views
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Scale model of a sumo drum tower107 views
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Artifacts of early Hokkaido settlers.106 views
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Award from Czechoslovakia in 1978.105 views
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The other half of the building is the Sobetsu History Museum. This panel shows how Lake Toya was formed.105 views
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Kitanoumi-beya stable sign at top, and various award certificates.103 views
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Some photos are captioned with memorable quotes by Kitanoumi.102 views
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This is what you first see. Photos of Kitanoumi growing up in Sobetsu town. Looks like any ordinary kid. Admission is 250 yen for adults, 100 yen for kids. Open 9 am to 5 pm, closed Jan. 1.101 views
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Sacred offerings buried in the dohyo before each tournament.101 views
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Artifacts from the defunct local Iburi rail line discontinued in 1986. There was a Sobetsu Station.101 views
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Front of the Yokozuna Kitanoumi Memorial Hall, dedicated to Sobetsu's most famous son. Yokozuna Kitanoumi was one of sumo's greatest grand champions in modern times. "Kitanoumi" means "Lake of the North," and this refers to Lak99 views
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Today, Kitanoumi is a stablemaster and the chairman of the Japan Sumo Association. The front entrance of the Yokozuna Kitanoumi Memorial Hall which opened in May 1991..99 views
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Right outside the Yokozuna Kitanoumi Memorial Hall are sumo banners. From left to right, they read, "Kitanoumi Stable," "Yokozuna Kitanoumi Memorial Hall," and "Sobetsu History Museum."98 views
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98 views
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