Sumo Size Me

My apologies for the long delay since my last update. I've been in Japan for the past couple weeks and just returned home.

We'll get back to North Korea very soon. But first I'd like to share with you a few images from this last trip...

Let's begin with sumo.

I got hooked on sumo while living in Tokyo between 2000 and 2002. As a martial artist the technical aspects of course impress me--the throws, the strategies, the sudden reversals. But it's even more interesting when you get to know the history of each wrestler and the particulars of their style. Who does well against who, who can be counted on to upset the balance by beating the big yokozuna, all of these elements factor in to the grand tournaments held every other month.

I had the opportunity to watch morning practice at a sumo beya when I lived in Tokyo, but I never had a chance to attend an actual tournament.

Last week I was fortunate enough to get tickets to the Aki Basho (Fall Tournament), which is held in the historic Ryogoku district of Tokyo. Here are a few images of Day 8...

Colourful nobori line the entryway to the Ryogoku Kokugikan

The fighters perform the dohyo-iri ('ring entering ceremony')

Yokozuna ('Grand Champion') Asashoryu performs the ring entering ceremony...

My view from here...

Yamamotoyama in action...

Preparing to fight...

Today's scoreboard...