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Sumo experience for MORI LIVING Residents
November 30, 2016
I had an opportunity to join a special event with some MORI LIVING residents at Japan's largest sumo arena - the Ryogoku Kokugikan.
The live demonstration of sumo hairdressing or tokoyama.
Sandangamae is usually only performed on special occasions such as an enthronement of a new emperor or the opening of a new Sumo stable.
I have been living in Japan for many years and had until recently yet to strike off my Japan "bucket list" - Going to a sumo tournament.
I had an opportunity to join a special event with some MORI LIVING residents at Japan's largest sumo arena - the Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo's Sumida Ward.
This first ever sumo cultural exchange event titled "Beyond 2020 in Ryogoku" was staged by the Japan Sumo Association and Ministry in charge of the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics to give foreigners a chance to learn about sumo - Japan's national sport.
The event featured demonstrations and performances as well as the tournament itself, introduced in English as well as Japanese, which was especially helpful as I really knew nothing about the sport.
Firstly, there was a practice session with two rikishi or wrestlers showcasing some of the 82 techniques for winning a bout such as yorikiri (frontal force out), suridashi (lift out) and watanage (over arm throw), along with an explanation by the commentator when each maneuver would be used.
Next, was the live demonstration of sumo hairdressing or tokoyama. Interestingly, there are 50 full-time tokoyama expertly taking care of the 600 practicing wrestlers in Japan every day. It takes a tokoyama 5 years to apprentice before they are ready to take on the onchomage or gingko leaf hairstyle.
Other demonstrations included mawashi (ceremonial rope tightening) and Sandangamae performed by Yokozunas Harumafuji and Kakuryu. This had not been performed in 20 years, and is usually only performed on special occasions such as an enthronement of a new emperor or the opening of a new Sumo stable.
The main event was of course the tournament and to be so close to the action of these colossal giants was a spectacle everyone should experience, with each wrestler weighing on average 165 kg and the largest in excess of 200 kg! They are amazingly fast and strong. The favorites were of course the 12 foreign rikishi (given the international audience) and of course the two yokozuna who fought last and didn't disappoint with Harumafuji showing why he is the senior yokozuna winning convincingly over Kakuryu.
Kieron