With just one day of rest after our return from Mt. Fuji, Jody and I took a day trip into Tokyo proper for several different reasons. This was a REALLY big day for me as it included getting the Deluxe Box Set of the 50th Anniversary of Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band by the Beatles and going to see Sumo Wrestling. First up, Jody and I made our way back to Sinjuku - Jody to shop at the Oriental Bazaar and me to return to the main Tower Records store. Sgt. Pepper had just been released the day before and the store had this huge display on their ground floor.
And of course, the happy man back home with his prize after returning from our trip.
Following our shopping spree, we made our way further into Tokyo for the big Sumo Wrestling event. Above is a panorama of the coliseum. But first, a little personal background on the significance of sumo wrestling to me. The month and year, May, 1967, just keeps coming up for me in importance while here in Japan. First, it was my HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION 50 years ago. Secondly, it was the release of SGT. PEPPER'S LONELY HEARTS CLUB BAND by the Beatles, perhaps one of the greatest modern music albums of all time. Third, it was the release of the James Bond film, YOU ONLY LIVE TWICE. What does the Bond film have to do with sumo wrestling? This.
These brief scenes of a sumo wrestling match in Tokyo thrilled me. Little did I think that I would ever be able to see one myself in Tokyo. Yet, here I am. And both the venue and the match are almost unchanged from the movie. My research does show that the coliseum where the original YOLT filming was done no longer exists as this new venue was built some years later. But, the ritual is the same.
Walking down the street to the coliseum. This is a BIG DEAL in Japan.
The sumo wrestlers enter the wrestling mat area.
As each wrestler enters his name is called out and the audience cheers. It is easy to see who some of their favorites are.
After the introduction ceremony, they then leave the ring and the individual bouts begin.
The wrestlers start by facing each other from just inside the outer ring. There is great formality with much bowing. Needless to say, the referee is in the purple robe.
The wrestlers will then approach each other and size each other up. They will remain behind each of the white strips on the mat.
ALL of the wrestlers do this move.
They then squat down at the line. The actual wrestle doesn't begin until both wrestlers have each of their hands touching the mat. Frequently, after squatting one of them will get up and strut around and the match will be delayed until they are in their moment for the battle. I found it amusing to watch them preen around the ring.
Here are two going at each other.
If there is a disagreement, the referees confer to sort it out.
This has much great "theater" as wrestlers like this guy demonstrate their physical prowess for the audience.
Pictures do not do this performance justice as we watched these huge men try to either throw each other down or literally out of the ring. The event goes on for hours. We stayed for about 2 1/2 hours as we had no dogs in this race and just wanted to experience the event.