Big Fat Guys

Hunny and I went to Japan this weekend. While there we took the opportunity to attend a Sumo tournament. We came at a great time because there are only a four tournament a year in Tokyo and each lasts 15 days. We attended the 9th day. The tournament lasts all day beginning with new comers and ending with the big kahunas. Or in Japanese, the Yokozuma. The Yokozuma is the best of the best. We learned that he can only become one after winning 15 tournaments. The neat thing is he can never lose his title, even if he is defeated in a tournament; only, if he continues to do poorly is he expected to retire. I guess it is a way to keep his honor.

When we first got there I were stoked and super excited about watching a bunch of fat guys throwing each other around, like Japanese wrestling or something. But then when we got there we were really confused. It was cool that they really do that stomping side to side thing and slap their bellies but it seemed like it took forever before they would actually go at it and then it didn't even last that long. We then remembered, after making our guesses, that there was a pamphlet that explained everything. We read up on the origin and rules and even the responsibilities of other participates. Sumo wrestling was started as an activity at celebrations, kind of like dancers for entertainment, but wrestling matches. The stomping of the feet is the attempt to scare away evil spirits. Then they extend their arms, palms up, to show they have no weapons. They also throw a handful of salt to purify the ring. What takes so long for the match to start is this ceremony of giving the stink eye... glare, to intimidate each other. Then they get up and do the whole stomping thing and more salt. They would do this a few times. Thankfully there is now a time limit set whereas anciently there was none. It went from unlimited, to 10 minutes, to 7, to today's rule of four minutes. The signal to go, we concluded ourselves, is when both fists touch the ground. Then they charge at each other and either go brute force to brute force or act like sissy's and slap around at each other until one of them falls or steps out of the circle.

I was quiet surprised at the amount of foreigner participants. There were two from Georgia (the republic), a Bulgarian, Australian, and something else. They were massive. I would root for them which would get me more into the match. Which in turn would produce some vocal reactions during and after the fight. "Go Euro!" "What was that!?" "Don't turn!" "AHHHH!!!!" It was pretty intense.

Another neat thing about the tournament was the opening ceremonies of the big guys. They all wear a huge apron thing and line up on the circle and swing their arms in sync. Their little apron things can cost up to 200,000 dollars. Crazy huh? The Yokozuma's ceremony was just as weird. He not only has his little apron thing but a huge rope that weighs 25-35 pounds. His ceremony was similar to the stomping and everything before a fight. But when he stomped, every one cheered and gasped and clapped. Ok? Oh he did it again!! It was a lot of work up for a few stomps and some hand swings. But everyone loved it.

click to see more sumo pictures!

So, as I mentioned before there are other participants. Besides the wrestlers there is an announcer, a guy with a fan, kind of like a ref, and judges. The announcer in a very high pitched voice will sing the names of the two who will be fighting. He is also responsible to sweep the ring from all the salt thrown. The fan guy also has ranks and has to work up. He is mostly a ref and encourager. And then there are 5 judges who sit around the Dohyo, If one of them feels the refs call was incorrect they all step up and discuss their view. They aren't commonly used but we got to see them get up for one match. When two went down at the same time they had to be sure who touched the ground first.

It was so neat to learn more about the culture and sport. We really enjoyed ourselves. We feel all cultured now. It was cool to learn and see all the ins and outs of Sumo. I'm really glad we got to go.