 Most viewed - Sumo 相撲 |
Sumo match with kids1909 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.1466 viewsMongolia's Golden Age of Sumo has begun.
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Yokozuna Musashimaru1301 viewsHis last dohyo-iri.
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Musashimaru's final dohyo-iri1264 views
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Asashoryu sips water offered by Ozeki Chiyotaikai1141 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 Tochiazuma1077 viewsAfter offering water, Tochiazuma shares a laugh with the yokozuna.
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Musashimaru right after I shook his hand.1016 views
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The final cut by stablemaster Musashigawa Oyakata.956 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.952 views
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Final match of the day with Yokozuna Asashoryu939 views
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Friends after all903 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.820 views
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798 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 keiko786 viewsEverybody cheered whenever he entered the ring.
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The Kokugikan as seen from JR Ryogoku Station platform.783 views
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Musashigawa Stable wrestler wearing Aloha-print yukata776 viewsFlowery pattern (plumeria) with "Musashimaru" imprinted.
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Musashimaru and his flowers773 viewsThis was his last appearance at this retirement ceremony.
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Konishiki also sings. (His company arranged the entertainment.)749 views
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"Robocop" Takamisakari gets ready748 viewsThe top-division Makunouchi wrestlers went through their matches quickly.
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Snip and a hug by Konishiki (Question: Where was Akebono??)692 views
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Former yokozuna Taiho, Takanosato, Kotozakura, and Wakanohana watch intently.677 views
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Ryogoku Kokugikan sumo arena as seen from Ryogoku Station637 views
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Tying the rope at the back.633 views
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Musashimaru minus his topknot630 views
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He was grim-faced all throughout626 views
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Crazy sumo fan621 viewsThey also sold the real banzuke for 50 yen.
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Hawaii's last sumo wrestler shakes hands.612 viewsIf he were married, his wife would be beside him.
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Rear view of the shiranui style of tying the rope.608 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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Konishiki is called and he enters600 views
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Snip by Musashimaru's brother599 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.593 views
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But his mom cannot step on the sumo ring...592 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.587 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)587 views
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They wrap the rope around his waist from the front, or the thickest part of the rope.583 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 Musoyama582 views
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Box seats. Cramped space for four people.575 views
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Me next please!!!558 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)556 views
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Comic sumo (shokkiri sumo)551 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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Snip by Kitanoumi, the head of the Japan Sumo Association544 views
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542 views
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Pulling it tight542 views
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Ozeki Musoyama is defeated.541 views
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Musashimaru's final dohyo-iri541 views
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Musashimaru finally appears for a yokozuna belt demo535 views
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Oh, I gotta take a picture of this...534 viewsLook at the gyoji referee who must be thinking, "C'mon, hurry up!"
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Giant painted pictures of Musashimaru decorating the arena inside. Each one commemorates a tournament victory.533 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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His mom is next...533 views
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Musashimaru's final dohyo-iri530 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's final dohyo-iri527 views
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Comic sumo (shokkiri sumo)524 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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Bow twirling (called Yumitori-shiki) is the final ceremony at the end of the tournament day which is around 6 pm. 522 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.520 views
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Yumitori-shiki bow-twirling ceremony518 views
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Makushita sumo match517 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)513 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.508 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 tournament506 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 jinku496 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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Practice492 views
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Musashigawa stablemaster (former Yokozuna Mienoumi) in the entrance hall492 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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Panoramic shot of the Kokugikan489 viewsNotice the upper floor was quite empty, similar to Akebono's retirement ceremony.
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Musashimaru's final dohyo-iri ends484 views
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Musashimaru greets the crowd482 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.479 views
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Snip by actor Hiroshi Fujioka, who played Kamen Rider in the '70s.472 views
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Exiting the building472 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.472 views
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470 views
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The Bulgarian (Kotooshu) on the left468 views
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Asashoryu joins in467 views
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Yokozuna "tsuna" belt demo467 views
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Awaiting the final cut as we listen to one of his famous matches.467 views
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462 views
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460 views
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460 views
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Hairdressing demonstration458 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.454 views
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This is the lower level with zabuton box seats costing over 10,000 yen.450 views
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The kids gradually get bigger.447 views
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Male hula dancer at one corner446 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 Matsuzaki444 viewsFamous for his classic hit, "Ai no Memory."
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Panorama shot of sumo arena during a sumo tournament. There are two levels.438 views
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Both ozeki watch436 views
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Asashoryu in the face-off436 views
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The thrown cushions are hastily piled up at ringside.436 views
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Musashimaru doll433 views
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Musashimaru goes back and then comes back...433 views
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Head supporter speaks432 views
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Makunouchi dohyo-iri428 viewsNext was exhibition sumo matches by the top-division Makunouchi wrestlers. Musashimaru never appeared again.
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Asashoryu later won428 views
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Makunouchi dohyo-iri425 views
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Butsuri keiko424 views
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Calling Musashimaru (with a conch shell)420 views
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The retirement ceremony had a lot of Hawaiian touches. This was only the beginning.417 viewsHula dancers and live Hawaiian band from Hawaii.
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Yokozuna Asashoryu performs his dohyo-iri ring-entering ceremony417 views
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This must be a first, a kumu hula (hula teacher) from Hawaii performing on the sumo ring.410 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 Hawaii405 views
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The chair404 views
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Here he comes...403 views
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Upper level and VIP booth.401 views
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Giant portrait of Yokozuna Akebono400 viewsThese are B/W photographs painted over with oil.
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Takamisakari wins398 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.398 views
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He goes back to the dressing room395 views
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Asashoryu gets thrown387 views
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Juryo sumo match384 views
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Juryo Division dohyo-iri ring-entering ceremony381 views
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A "darn it" look on his face380 views
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379 views
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Sumo ring and suspended roof (no pillars).379 views
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Sumo exhibition matches with lower division Makushita wrestlers.378 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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Ready to pounce on the winner377 views
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Makunochi dohyo-iri ring-entering ceremony375 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 le375 views
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374 views
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Asashoryu exchanges a few words370 viewsAfter the practice was over at 11 am, the sole yokozuna went over to the council.
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Asashoryu greets the council upon entry369 views
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Asashoryu collects a big paycheck.367 views
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365 views
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The ceremony opens with taiko drum beating on the sumo ring.365 views
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Makunouchi dohyo-iri365 views
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Musashimaru souvenirs at the Kokugikan's souvenir shop363 views
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Laying the red carpet for the main event.362 views
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Yobidashi wearing Aloha-print garb355 views
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Giant portrait of Yokozuna Takanohana355 views
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Giant portrait of Yokozuna Musashimaru353 views
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350 views
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Musashigawa Stable wrestlers greet visitors350 viewsIncludes Miyabiyama and Musoyama.
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Makunouchi dohyo-iri350 views
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Entrance hall is clogged up by a side show of hula.336 views
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335 views
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Finish, everybody out please...335 views
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Musashimaru merchandise334 views
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I'm waiting...330 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.330 views
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Giant portrait of Yokozuna Asashoryu330 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 2003.327 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.)326 views
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Musashimaru at the entrance323 views
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Tidying up the ring322 views
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Break320 viewsAsashoryu took a water break between each practice bout.
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Upper level seats.317 views
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Taiko drum demonstration316 views
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Yokozuna Deliberation Council members311 viewsIn the middle is Kitanoumi.
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Hakuho collects his pay.311 views
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Sumo figurines.307 views
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Box seat for two.302 views
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Crowd outside the Kokugikan await their favorite wrestlers.301 views
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Sumo elders in the front row295 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.294 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.291 views
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The striking yokozuna upset makes the crowd go wild as they throw zabuton cushions in glee.289 views
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Musoyama (in Sept. 2004).288 views
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274 views
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He stomps the ground to drive away evil.274 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.270 views
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Passing out programs267 views
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Door to arena.267 views
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Lecture classroom (previously used as a dining room for chanko-nabe during tournaments). 相撲教習所259 views
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Crowd enters the Kokugikan for Musashimaru's retirement ceremony on Oct. 2, 2004.258 views
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Kotooshu sits on his own cushion at ringside before his bout.251 views
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Kokugikan ticket office (right). Ticket prices range from 2,100 yen to 14,300 yen.247 views
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247 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.245 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.244 views
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Sumo wrestlers enter through a side entrance. Fans wait for their favorite wrestlers.243 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.242 views
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Way to Kokugikan. The guarded side gate on the right is for sumo wrestlers.236 views
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The chairman of the Japan Sumo Association (shown here is Kitanoumi) greets the crowd and thanks everyone for coming.236 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236 views
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He claps his hands to get the attention of the gods. 横綱土俵入り234 views
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Corridor and souvenir shops.233 viewsA corridor encircles the arena.
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Sumo mural in lobby.230 views
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Nameplates of tournament winners on Emperor's Cup223 views
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The sign reads "Physical body, Technique, Heart." What you need to succeed in sumo.223 views
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Sumo Museum. Open only during tournament days. Free admission.220 viewsThe wall on the left show portraits of all the yokozuna in the modern era.
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Kokugikan219 views
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Next to the chanko dining room is a sumo ring for practice and deliberation exhibition matches.218 views
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Sumo wrestler and sumo stable banners217 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.217 views
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Ozeki Kakuryu in an 2013.216 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.215 views
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The tournament winner receives numerous prizes from various organizations and companies.214 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.214 views
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Trophy case in lobby. This is the Emperor's Cup awarded to the tournament winner.213 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.212 views
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Taiko drum tower211 views
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The higher ranking rikishi are at the end of the line. (Hakuho and Kotooshu here).209 views
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Kokkai means "Black Sea."206 views
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Ozeki Kotooshu.205 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.204 views
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Hakuho throws salt on the sumo ring.204 views
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203 views
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Yokozuna Hakuho202 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.200 views
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198 views
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Roho vs. Tochiazuma195 views
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Yokozuna Harumafuji195 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.194 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194 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.194 views
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Ozeki Kotooshu with an apron by Bulgaria Yogurt. (Kotooshu is from Bulgaria.)194 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.192 views
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There goes Asashoryu.191 views
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Print Club photo sticker booth.191 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.189 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.)189 views
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188 views
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Prize from the United Arab Emirates.187 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.187 views
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Takamisakari183 views
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The two rikishi who were called up go on the ring and stomp their foot.180 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.180 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.180 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.178 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.176 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.175 views
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The sumo tournaments are broadcast live every day on TV by NHK, focusing on the Makunouchi Division matches.174 views
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After the last wrestler is on the ring, they all turn around and raise their arms.173 views
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Overarm throw called uwatenage.173 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.173 views
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Sumo figurines.173 views
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Sumo wrestler banners170 views
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Asashoryu and Hakuho glare at each other.170 views
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Kotooshu is from Bulgaria.169 views
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Getting off the sumo ring.167 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.167 views
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Then they rinse their mouths with water for purification. Another wrestler holds the water ladle and tissue paper.167 views
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Takamisakari does his "Robocop" act in his corner to psych himself up.167 views
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On the ring, they spread their arms to show that they carry no weapons.167 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.167 views
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After you go through the ticket gate, the front of Kokugikan has two large murals.167 views
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Hakuho, before he became yokozuna.165 views
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Many matches also have sponsor who pay money to the winner of the match. Each banner represents a sponsor.165 views
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Giant portrait of Ozeki Kotooshu.163 views
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Taiko drum tower162 views
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162 views
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161 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.160 views
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Kokugikan Cafe snack bar159 views
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159 views
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Old Nameplates of tournament winners that were on the Emperor's Cup.159 views
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Entrance to the dining room for chanko-nabe. It's downstairs in the basement.158 views
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157 views
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The chanko-nabe menu changes a few times during the tournament. The recipes are from various sumo stables.156 views
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