September 2010 Aki Basho Tokyo Grand Sumo Tournament

On September 13, 2010, I attended my third sumo tournament of the year.  There are 3 sumo tournaments in Tokyo each year, with the other 3 being in Osaka, Nagoya and Fukuoka.  This is the first tournament after the return of the suspended sumo wrestlers.  As I mentioned before, those sumo wrestlers were suspended because of illegal gambling on baseball.  For this tournament, I was seated even closer than I had been before.  Directly in front of me was a walkway, so I had no one sitting in front of me to block my view.

This day had a little excitement.  First was a crazy fan of the sumo wrestler Hakuba.  He was shouting and cheering Hakuba’s name, and even ran a quarter of the way around the arena to try to get Hakuba’s attention.  Down below, you can watch a video of this fan.  Also, I happened to see 3 retired sumo wrestlers that I recognized quite well.  First was Tokitsuumi, who is now the head coach of the Tokitsukaze stable.  Then I saw Kitazakura, one of my favourites who retired this year.  He was well known for throwing large handfuls of salt.  And finally, I saw Takasago, the head coach of the Takasago stable, which was Asashoryu’s stable.  Tokitsuumi was the only one to walk directly in front of me.  But the biggest thing was when I arrived.  I arrived at the same time as Goeido, a young sumo wrestler who is thought to be the next best hope to become Yokozuna in the future.

Anyway, enjoy the pictures and videos!

This is a Makushita division match.

The lower seats are mat seating, while the upper seats are stadium seating. I always get stadium seats.

This is my view at this tournament. It's closer than ever.

This is the ceiling. It looks like pretty much any indoor arena.

This is Takamisakari versus Mokonami. Takamisakari won.

Takamisakari is a big fan favourite, because of how he acts.  After this match, I got to watch the crazy Hakuba fan.  Here’s the video I took of him.

This is Tokusegawa versus Tochinoshin. Tochinoshin won.

This is Sekiwake Aran versus Kotoshogiku. Kotoshogiku won.

This is Kyokutenho versus Sekiwake Tochiozan. Tochiozan won.

This is Ozeki Harumafuji versus Homasho. Harumafuji won.

This is Wakanosato versus Ozeki Kaio. Kaio won this match. He's the oldest active sumo wrestler, and is very popular. He's been one of the longest Ozeki in history.

This is Ozeki Baruto versus Komusubi Kisenosato. Kisenosato won.

This is Komusubi Kakuryu versus Ozeki Kotooshu. Kotooshu won.

Finally is Yokozuna Hakuho versus Tokitenku. These are some of the sponsors for this match, including McDonald's.

They're still going through their preparations. Hakuho won this match. He's going for a record winning streak.

Finally, here’s a video of Yobidashi singing near the main entrance as I was leaving.  Yobidashi are the men who sing the names of the sumo wrestlers before their matches, basically acting as musical announcers.  They also do other odd jobs around the ring.

I hope you enjoyed the photos and videos.

May 2010 Natsu Basho Tokyo Grand Sumo Tournament

My quest to attend all three sumo tournaments in Tokyo continues.  On May 17, 2010, I attended Day 9 of the spring tournament in Tokyo at the Ryogoku Kokugikan.  It’s been nearly 2 months since then, but it’s about time I post these pictures.  Today is the first day of the Nagoya tournament, so this is a good time.

A lot has happened in sumo this year.  Asashoryu retired after the January tournament because of yet another scandal.  More recently is the baseball gambling scandal which has forced the retirement of Ozeki Kotomitsuki and Otake-oyakata of the Otake Beya (or stable).  The NHK (Japan’s public TV station) is not broadcasting the Nagoya tournament because of the scandal.  There are many other sumo wrestlers who are suspended for this month’s tournament and are under house arrest.

Anyway, here is the May tournament’s pictures.  First, we start with a quick shot of a lower division match, then the entrance ceremonies of the top 2 divisions.

This is a lower division Makushita match.

This is the entrance ceremony for Juryo division East.

This is the entrance ceremony for Juryo division West.

Here's the top division Makuuchi East entrance ceremony.

And here is the top division Makuuchi West entrance ceremony.

Here is Yokozuna Hakuho's entrance ceremony.

And more Hakuho!

Now Hakuho has a leg up.

Hakuho is really low now.

Hakuho has his leg up again.

Now on to the top matches of the Makuuchi division.  I’ve limited the pictures to Sekiwake matches and up.  Sorry, no Takamisakari!

This is a bout between the two Sekiwake rikishi, Kisenosato (left) and Aminishiki (right).

This match is between the now retired Ozeki Kotomitsuki (left) and Komusubi Tochiozan (right).

This is the match between Maegashira 4 Asasekiryu (left) and Ozeki Kotooshu (right).

This is the match between Ozeki Harumafuji (left) and Maegashira 3 Wakanosato (right).

This match is between new Ozeki Baruto (left) and Ozeki Kaio (right).

Finally, this match is between Yokozuna Hakuho (left) and Maegashira 3 Kakuryu (right).

These are the sponsors for the match between Hakuho and Kakuryu. See McDonald's?

More preparations before the match starts.

A wide shot of the arena just before the final match started.

I enjoyed this tournament more than the January tournament.  I had a good view, and no large-headed American was in front of me!  I had some good conversation with the people sitting on either side of me, although it was all very simple Japanese.  I’m looking forward to the September tournament!  And now, some final pictures outside the Kokugikan.

Here are some colourful banners outside the Kokugikan.

Lots of people are leaving the Kokugikan after the day's matches.

Look at all the people going toward Ryogoku station.