the reason I was out there... our new baby!!!
flags outside the Sumo arena
mural on the arena exterior
jetlagged traveler
wrestlers streaming in through the back gate
big dudes in their bathrobes and flip flops
we arrived early when the place was relatively empty
the sumo ring is set up like a Shinto temple with this roof suspended over it; spectators sit on all 4 sides
just like in America, the greats get hung in the rafters
we were in regular seats, but for a little bit more, you got box seats -- no shoes there
after the JV, there were two “divisions” -- before each one, there was a big ceremony where all the wrestlers came out
everything is utterly ceremonial. the outfits were pretty cool
make a circle, clap and grunt and then leave
first the “east” and then the “west” -- I couldn't really figure out the difference here. that one dude may have a Nike swoosh on his get-up
there was a lot of sweeping going on. they did not play YMCA over the PA during this part
this dude was actually pretty skinny, but pretty jacked. I thought he might have a chance
he lost pretty quickly
the build-up to each match lasted much longer than the actual wresting. whole bunch of traditional ceremonial posturing and purification
including the sacred drink, rinse, spit routine.
here come the big leaguers!
this dude got a crazy big cheer
Ladies and Gentlement, you 2009 diaper jockeys!
there was one wrestler missing... turns out this guy ate him.
I dub thee Gigantor!
now the top 2 came out and did an even more super-special thingie
the other rockstar wrestler... the top two are both Mongolian, much to the Japanese's chagrin
although they look like fatsos, the top wrestlers are incredibly muscular, their legs are crazy jacked
there are no traditional advertisements, instead, certain matches are “sponsored” -- guys with these flags come out beforehand. if you win these matches, you get cash from the sponsors on the spot. no dickin' around
the more flags, the more sponsors, the more checks. this was before one of the headliner matches
every time they step into the ring, they throw salt in to purify it. different wrestlers had different ways of throwing salt which seemed to speak of their personality and wresting style
then they face off. it's a big psych out and reminded me of the mind games between pitchers and batters. they would “step out of the batter's box” multiple times, building the suspense
even though the matches lasted on average 30 seconds, I learned there was a ton of strategy and different styles (with funny names like “pusher grabber”). total chess match between wrestlers of different styles and sizes.
during the last match of the day, people holding up signs for the top ranked wrestler. see, they're not so different than us.
this is the “scoreboard” -- red lights signify the winners
this guy is like the “bad boy” of sumo and totally dominant as well
the city was like totally immaculate thanks to dudes like these
there was plenty of America there, like this Wendy's; the strangest thing I saw was a Denny's, though
Tokyo Tower -- highest point in Tokyo (basically a TV/radio tower)
views from the top of Tokyo tower -- twas a beautiful, clear day
Mt. Fuji visible in the background
better view of Fuji
city is a real mix of new, very new, old and very old
I believe this is samurai training ground
city is mammoth. dense as far as the eye can see
Buddhist monastary
and then back down again
tea garden
Bonsai trees 100-500 years old
not a bad place for a cup of tea
not the key master... the TEA master. apparently you can go to college for this
dork
this tree is 500 years old
an american company would never get away with a blue-billed platypus as a mascot
all the cars are Toyotas, Hondas & Nissans, but none that you see here in the states. this Nissan Cube is pretty new, I think, and pretty cool
some place we ate lunch
I love Japanese>English translations
this was a rock they found somewhere in the mountains and moved down to this hotel. they didn't do anything to it all, it just looks like a turtle. pretty cool
this is where the emperor & his family live
look at the way those trees are trimmed, gigantic bonsai trees
after prodding from our tour guide -- my samurai pose
who doesn't love a samurai?
had to take a picture of this “Japanese style toilet” -- thankfully I didn't have to use it.
next a boat ride up the river. don't really think about the fact that Tokyo is, like many major cities, built on a river
we must have gone under 12 bridges at least
Asahi brewers headquarters -- home of the golden sperm. if that don't make you thirsty, don't know what will
our tour guide (with yellow flag)
Buddhist temple as tourist trap. we were snared
this dude keeps the evil folk out... we got through no problemo
this smoke is the good stuff. you're supposed to rub it on your head to make you smart, or put it in your pockets to make you rich. I did one hand of each, just in case. I'll keep you posted.
roof of the temple
signs on the way to the Ghibli museum. a nice touch
Mei & Totoro's footprints on the sidewalk on the way to the Ghibli museum
me in front of the Ghibli museum while waiting to finagle my way inside
robot on the roof of the museum
I was the only white guy for miles and miles
just a very cool place inside and out... unfortunately no photos allowed inside, so this will have to suffice
the head cheese himself
images from the Ghibli museum
the big guy is here to take your tickets
quite simply the coolest museum I've ever been to and the highlight of my trip
they have a very strict and convoluted ticketing system to get into the Ghibli (ie Miyazaki) Museum. didn't think I was going to get in, but a kind girl who worked there took pity on the stupid American and called me a “special case.” thank goodness
every detail in this museum was just perfect. it's a good thing they don't allow photographs, or there would have been 200 just of this place in here
