japan 5 08

i arrived in Tokyo on Friday and on Saturday Owain took us to one of the events of the Sumo wrestling grand national finals.
It was amazing. Amazing in ceremony, skill, seriousness and, well, size.

The first image will indicate to you what a task my wee point and shoot had to undertake. The packed hall was huge and while we had super upper level seats and I was able to crouch under the balcony railing to take the next shots, good focus was not really an option for the camera. Still, I have posted these images because the event was so spectacular, so memorable and I want to share the experience of being there with you.

So, first image: the crowd large, serious and, when appropriate, zealous.

Second image: some, just some, of the wrestlers, the stars, in their formal attire as winners.

Third image: the sponsor "parade". If the wrestler - all of whom, I was told, not only undertake rigorous training but an extremely disciplined lifestyle - is popular with the crowd they have sponsors. These sponsors are allowed to parade around the small ring with great pomp holding satin banners proclaiming the company's endorsement. The one pictured above was for one of the real favorites. The majority of the wrestlers that we saw that day had no sponsors so you can get an idea of just how popular this particular fellow was.

Fourth image: you will note the priest in green. Before the match actually began the priest preformed a most controlled number of traditional motions that indicated the commencement of the game. The competition itself begins with the wrestlers facing off as above but , like speed races, can have a few false starts.

Fifth image: Once the wrestling begins the objective, forcing one's opponent to take a step out of the ring, is achieved in a minute or, quite often, less.