Twas a really wonderful experience.
It has even managed to awaken me from the blogless slumber of six months :-)
The Tickets:
Well before getting to the Sumo day, I had purchased my tickets a month in advance.
Thanks to the official website and the helpful Lawson convenience store employees*.
I entered the Ryougoku just in time for the Ring entering ceremony 'Makuchi dohyō-iri' (3:30 PM approx) which is the ring entering ceremony for the 'Elite Sumo' wrestlers.
And btw this was my diiiiiiistant view from my 'B-Arena' ticket seat.
Far Far away in Ryougoku
The Makuchi ring entering ceremony was immediately followed by 'Yokozuna dohyou iri'.
This was supposed to be the high point of the day, but all i got to see was the big butt of the Yokozuna.
Yokozuna Asashoryu performing 'dohyou iri,' flanked by two junior wrestlers.
Shots of his okii butt.
The matches began from 4:00 PM. A typical sumo lasts less than a minute and is preceded by brief rituals. More info here
The 150 Kilo sumo wrestler (giving me a complex ;-) by lifting his feet this hiiiigh, and stomping the ground) is picture below during one of the rituals.
The day ended with a 'Bow dance ceremony' (Yumitori-shiki).
All in all it was a good experience.
Some facts which I thought might interest you:
a) English commentary for Sumo matches is available inside the stadium.
I can already see you relieved and similing :-)
Make sure you purchase radio and earphones at the entrance.
b) The best matches of the day are near the end of the day. 6:00 PM roughly.
So plan your day accordingly.
c) Purchase Ring tickets if you want a very close view of the Sumo wrestlers/match.
Arena tickets give you a really good view (but not a close one). Refer the second picture in this blog; it was taken from my Arena B seat - without zoom.
d) Ring Tickets are costlier and also get sold out very fast. Esp on weekends.
e) A visit to Sumo is a must watch especially if you love Japan/Japanese culture.
f) Keep visiting my blog :-) (LOL). This has got nothing to do with Sumo, but you will find more stuff about Japan and may be a post about my favourite Sumo wrestler Ama in the near future. (LOL)
P.S:
My second post on Sumo will follow in a weeks time.
5 comments:
they are lifting their legs to pee?
by the way, do women wrestle too in simlar costumes?
Women...apparently no.
btw im getting first row seats instead of the Arena seats if that happens.
:-)
So when's part 2 coming out?
Looking forward for it.
By the way have any plans of returning or still planning to see sumos lift their legs and pee?
It's been more than 3 weaks and still no part 2?
btw On NOVEMBER 9th I'm publishing a special post. DON'T MISS IT FOR THE WORLD.
visit my new post on two lengands of cricket at
http://christopherdavid007.blogspot.com/2008/11/legendary-farewell-for-two-legends.html
I spent alot of time on it and looking forward for your thoughts.
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