Most viewed - JAPAN 日本 |
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There were also two Russian sumo wrestlers. Roho and his brother Hakurozan. This is Roho in May 2005. Both got busted for drug use in 2008 and were kicked out of sumo.131 views
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New Year's photo. The paper ball is for a traditional New Year's game. Postcard-size photograph.130 views
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Unfortunately, there are people ignorant of sumo who think it is just nearly naked, fat men charging at each other. Famous American newspaper columnist Mike Royko once wrote one of the worse and most insulting pieces about sumo in his column.130 views
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Crowd behind homeplate. 16,000 yen seats.129 views
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129 views
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Ichiro reaches home as the umpire makes sure Ichiro steps on homeplate.128 views
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Welcome Parade for the American Fleet (Hibiya Park)127 views
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Commodore Perry and Naosuke Ii (embossed). This is another postcard issued in 1909 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the opening of Yokohama Port. It has a commemorative postmark marking the "Jubilee of Opening of Yokohama Port."125 viewsYokohama Port was officially opened to foreign trade on July 1, 1859 in accordance with the US-Japan Treaty of Amity and Commerce.
Also see the caption for the preceding postcard.
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Dark miso soup with small mushrooms. (Came with the chuka-don.)125 views
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Right after the Makunouchi dohyo-iri is the Yokozuna Dohyo-iri. This is Yokozuna Asashoryu. A major highlight during the tournament.125 views
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Girl on stage. Postcard-size photograph. Date is unknown.124 views
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Thanks to a homer by a teammate, Ichiro trots past 3rd base.122 views
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A young woman personalizes her cell phone to the max, making it a work of art (?).122 views
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Ichiro and another go round 3rd base as China looks on helplessly.121 views
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As the World Cup drew close, Japan braced for the expected onslaught of foreign hooligans smashing up its stores and raping its daughters.121 views
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Chuka-don or a bowl of rice with vegetable topping. 中華丼121 views
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Grabbing the opponent's mawashi belt to throw him down or out is a key technique.121 views
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Japan's National Anthem is played.120 views
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Looks like fried chicken with goya (bitter melon) and udon noodles.120 views
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Asashoryu120 views
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Once in a while, they freshen up the sumo ring, sweeping it.120 views
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Pretty Brazilian supporter.119 views
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Giant portrait of Harumafuji119 views
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Welcome Parade for the American Fleet (back). The back of the postcard (see preceding postcard) had a note talking about the American Fleet's visit to Tokyo. Postmarked Oct. 21, 1908.118 viewsNotice that the dividing line is not at the center of the card. Two-thirds of the card was for the recipient's address and only one-third was for the message. Cards like this with off-center dividers were published between March 28, 1907 and March 1, 1918 when the divider was moved to the center of the card. Before March 28, 1907, there was no divider on the back and only the recipient's address could be written. The message had to be written on the picture side which usually had a large white space for writing. Looking at the back of the postcard for the divider is another way to find out the approximate date of the card.
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The yokozuna is flanked by two attendants, a sword bearer on the left and dew sweeper on the right. Their kesho mawashi ceremonial aprons are a matching set.118 views
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Asashoryu won this one.118 views
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Tokyo Dome117 views
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Soba noodles with daikon and rice. A perfect winter meal.117 views
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Front entrance to Tokyo Dome. Japan plays its first WBC game and the opponent is China.116 views
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Besides the Brazilian and German flags, this woman went one step further with a Japanese flag on her arm.116 views
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Brazilian supporter.114 views
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Kamaboko fish cakes from Himi, Toyama114 views
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Tempura and more113 views
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Sashimi113 views
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Some of the designs on the aprons are quite beautiful. Some are also pretty much advertisements for the sponsor who could be a support group, fan club, company, or rich individual.113 views
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The most famous Mongolian sumo wrestler is Asashoryu who has been quite controversial at times.113 views
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Giant portrait of Kyokutenho113 views
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Nabe (stew) with vegetables and some pork. Cook it yourself.112 views
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Takamisakari is one of the more popular rikishi.112 views
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Roho's apron actually had little lights which flashed.112 views
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High-class meal111 views
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Japan-America Cable by Communications Department. Another postcard marking the cable's opening. This card was issued by Japan's Communications Department (building pictured) that was in charge of the postal system. On the right is the Comm. Minist109 viewsThe commemorative rubber stamp says "Congratulation for the Opening of the Japan-America Cable" and shows a map of the cable route and the US and Japanese flags.
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They enter as wooden clappers are clapped by someone.109 views
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Asashoryu108 views
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Shellfish107 views
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Also on the first day of the tournament, the previous tournament winner receives a large portrait of himself to be hung in the Kokugikan. This is the ceremony for it.107 views
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Lots of sponsors for this match between Asashoryu and Hakuho on Jan. 19, 2006. Both Mongolians.107 views
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They spit out the water into a small bucket in the corner.106 views
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Kotooshu on the right.106 views
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The referee points his fan toward the side of the winner.106 views
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Another match with Asashoryu.106 views
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Everyone lingered and posed for pictures with the stadium in the background. Unfortunately, I had no tickets. I heard that scalpers were selling a pair of tickets for 1 million yen. Too much for me.105 views
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They make their way around the ring.105 views
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Seeing sumo live is much better than seeing it on TV. The atmosphere can't be beat when you're actually there. Taking photos and videos are of course permitted.105 views
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The streets leading to the stadium had a party-like atmosphere.104 views
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The two rikishi who escort him are either from his own sumo stable or an affiliate sumo stable.104 views
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Without question, there were many more fans and supporters of Brazil than Germany. Yellow and green T-shirts far outnumbered Germany's colors.103 views
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Next are rikishi from the west side.103 views
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A false start by Hakuho.103 views
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In this case, Asashoryu receives a new portrait which is then unveiled. The portrait is usually sponsored by a major newspaper.102 views
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He defeats his opponent who also pushes down the referee.102 views
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Side view of Asashoryu's dohyo-iri. Looks like we'll have to wait a lot longer to ever see another Japanese yokozuna. No one is even on the horizon as of this writing. The next yokozuna might as well be another foreigner (Baruto perhaps).101 views
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Oshidashi or frontal push out, a common technique.101 views
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Kokkai on the left. He is from Georgia in eastern Europe.101 views
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The color of the tassel hanging from the referee's fan indicates his rank. Purple or purple and white indicates the highest ranking referee who judges the yokozuna matches. A red tassel is for the sanyaku matches (Ozeki, Sekiwake, Komusubi).100 views
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Hakuho100 views
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Hakurozan at the initial charge.100 views
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Plaques for the Three Outstanding Prizes (Technique, Outstanding Performance, and Fighting Spirit) awarded by two newspapers.100 viewsTechnique Prize (Gino-sho), Outstanding Performance (for most Yokozuna/Ozeki upsets, Shukun-sho), and Fighting Spirit (Kanto-sho).
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The yokozuna dohyo-iri ends. It is performed every day during the 15-day tournament as well as at exhibition tournaments.99 views
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Yokozuna Harumafuji from Mongolia performs the dohyo-iri ring-entering ceremony.99 views
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99 views
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Pastries in the shape of Mt. Fuji to mark the designation of Mt. Fuji as a World Heritage Site in 2013.99 views
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Face painters were on hand to paint litle flags on supporters.98 views
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He turns around and goes back to his place. You can see that his rope belt is tied with a single loop on the back. This is the Unryu style. It differs from the Shiranui style performed by Hakuho.98 views
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The wrestler must start the match from a "three-point stand" position where both his feet and at least one of his hands are touching the ground.98 views
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Trying for a yorikiri or frontal push out while grabbing the belt.98 views
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Roho vs. Tochiazuma98 views
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Hakurozan on the right in Jan. 2006.98 views
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I usually eat two bowls. Only 250 yen per bowl.98 views
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A portrait of Asashoryu is ceremoniously unveiled in the Kokugikan. On the right is the tournament date, on the left is the rikishi's name, and the sponsor's name is on the bottom. The portrait is actually B/W photo hand-painted in color.97 views
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Shizuoka Ecopa Stadium, Beckham on the screen.96 views
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Claps his hands for the last time. The man in purple is the referee.96 views
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And so the day's sumo matches continue as the wrestler walks up to the sumo ring to wait his turn.96 views
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After losing, Takamisakari dejectedly leaves the ring. The crowd sympathizes with him and applaud.96 views
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And into the front row of spectators. I've never heard of any spectators who got injured by sumo wrestlers falling on top of them.96 views
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A large cushion is brought in for Kotooshu.96 views
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Both tumble off the ring...95 views
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Going to the stadium. The line was long, but it progressed quickly and smoothly.94 views
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Yokozuna Hakuho from Mongolia performs the dohyo-iri ring-entering ceremony in Jan. 2013.94 views
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Then he steps forward and turns to the front.93 views
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Closeup of Emperor's Cup.92 views
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The final match of the 2002 World Cup was held in Yokohama on June 30, 2002. The closest train station to the stadium was Shin-Yokohama Station. Happy Brazil supporters show off their tickets to the World Cup final.90 views
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Supporters of Brazil and Germany side-by-side.90 views
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Megastar David Beckham was with England.88 views
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Taiko drum tower88 views
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Old Nameplates of tournament winners that were on the Emperor's Cup.88 views
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Closeup of old Nameplates of tournament winners that were on the Emperor's Cup.87 views
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The "Full House" banners are unfurled above the Shinto-style roof.86 views
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Ozeki Kotooshu in Jan 2013.86 views
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Meet the wonderful soccer fans of World Cup 2002 in these extraordinary photos of ordinary people.85 views
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Mushrooms from Oita Prefecture.85 views
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A well-known newscaster from Brazil speaks with a few Brazilians.84 views
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Supporters of both teams have a friendly shout down.84 views
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Closeup of nameplates of tournament winners on Emperor's Cup.84 views
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Cha-han fried rice and gyoza84 views
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Nearing the stadium gate.82 views
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Gyoza with rice82 views
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Shizuoka Ecopa Satdium on June 21, 2002. England vs. Brazil. Photos by Mariko Hinaga.81 views
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Everyone is cheering in front of the TV camera from Brazil.80 views
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Loco moco bento. 80 views
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Fried oysters in Hiroshima.79 views
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Pastries in the shape of Mt. Fuji to mark the designation of Mt. Fuji as a World Heritage Site in 2013.79 views
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Pastries in the shape of Mt. Fuji sold at a Tomei Highway service area.79 views
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Takoyaki with pieces of octopus inside.79 views
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Gyudon beef bowl77 views
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Loco mock with hamburger, gravy, and egg. For only 270 yen at a local supermarket. Not good though.76 views
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The Japanese have literally embraced them, often supporting the visiting teams as enthusiastically as if they were their own.74 views
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To the great surprise of most Japanese the foreign supporters turned out to be wonderful and friendly people who love to mix with the natives.73 views
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Appetizer, Kyoto66 views
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Large Kaiten Sushi restaurant65 views
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Kaki-fry teishoku or fried oysters64 views
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Yokosuka curry64 views
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Tempura64 views
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Sukiyaki dinner63 views
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Chinese dinner63 views
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Kaiten Sushi63 views
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Sushi restaurant62 views
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Touch panel ordering for sushi62 views
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Shabu-shabu dinner with the shabu-shabu pot having a divider so we can try two different flavored broths.61 views
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Small tempura donburi and cold soba noodles at Tenya61 views
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Sake rice wine61 views
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