 Last additions - Yokozuna Kitanoumi Memorial Hall 横綱北の湖記念館 |
Miniature golf courseMay 20, 2008
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Power generation machineryMay 20, 2008
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Kitanoumi souvenirs for sale.May 20, 2008
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Typical abode of early Hokkaido settlers who first came to this area in 1879.May 20, 2008
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Local wildlife exhibit, including the Ezo deer.May 20, 2008
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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.May 20, 2008
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Natural history exhibitMay 20, 2008
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May 20, 2008
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Artifacts from the defunct local Iburi rail line discontinued in 1986. There was a Sobetsu Station.May 20, 2008
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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.May 20, 2008
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Sacred offerings buried in the dohyo before each tournament.May 20, 2008
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Artifacts of early Hokkaido settlers.May 20, 2008
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Referee costumes in the showcase.May 20, 2008
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The other half of the building is the Sobetsu History Museum. This panel shows how Lake Toya was formed.May 20, 2008
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Kitanoumi-beya stable sign at top, and various award certificates.May 20, 2008
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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.May 20, 2008
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Scale model of a sumo drum towerMay 20, 2008
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Award from Czechoslovakia in 1978.May 20, 2008
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It looks kind of strange without his two attendants, the sword bearer and dew sweeper...May 20, 2008
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Kitanoumi's kesho mawashi set (ceremonial apron) on display.May 20, 2008
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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.May 20, 2008
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His Yokozuna "tsuna" rope belt.May 20, 2008
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Actual-size ringside seats are also on display.May 20, 2008
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Above is an actual tournament champion giant portrait which once hung in the Kokugikan.May 20, 2008
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He is doing the Unryu-style dohyo-iri.May 20, 2008
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It sort of looks like Kitanoumi...May 20, 2008
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Some photos are captioned with memorable quotes by Kitanoumi.May 20, 2008
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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, HokkaidoMay 20, 2008
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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.May 20, 2008
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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.May 20, 2008
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The sumo ring is not made of real dirt.May 20, 2008
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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.May 20, 2008
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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.May 20, 2008
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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.May 20, 2008
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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.May 20, 2008
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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..May 20, 2008
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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.May 20, 2008
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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 LakMay 20, 2008
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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."May 20, 2008
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