Where Giants Dance and Crash in Japan
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Credit: Ko Sasaki for The New York Times
Sumo wrestlers performing the opening ceremony on Jan. 11 at a tournament at the Kokugikan, Japan’s national sumo stadium in Tokyo.
As amazing as my trip to Japan was a few years ago, I didn't get to do two things: watch sumo wrestling or eat sushi. The sushi part is especially embarrassing to admit - it's like going to Germany and not having beer or schnitzels - but I was so busy eating all the other types of regional Japanese food that I'd never heard of.
I'm going to rectify both of those things the next time I go and yes, I will definitely go again - it was one of the most unexpectedly beautiful places I've ever been.
More pictures of sumo wrestling below are from a travel article in the New York Times.
Credit: Ko Sasaki for The New York Times
Wrestlers stand by for bouts that are usually over in a matter of seconds.
Credit: Ko Sasaki for The New York Times
Each tournament lasts 15 days, with the lowest-ranking entrants beginning competition at 8:30 in the morning. The audience grows as the day progresses, with the top two divisions competing from midafternoon until around 6 in the evening.
Credit: Ko Sasaki for The New York Times
Championship sumo tournaments are held six times a year, rotating among Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya and Fukuoka.
Credit: Ko Sasaki for The New York Times
A spectator eats pickled vegetables from a lunch box.
Credit: Ko Sasaki for The New York Times
Sumo figurines for sale at a stadium gift shop.
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