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Sumo; do I need to explain this world famous Japanese contact sport? We decided to catch the end of the two week sumo tournament that happens once a year in Fukuoka. Apparently it happens by season in different (but fixed) parts of Japan...and we happened to be at the right place at the right time...
Seeing this event on tv from the other side of the world growing up, i couldn't believe the feeling as soon as I caught a glimpse of the ring, it's like when you catch of piece of the grass inside a stadium through the bleachers and exits...
It's very popular in Japan, however a lot of people have never been. It's true that it's not the cheapest thing either. The purple pads start at 75 bucks...we decided to settle for upper reserve.
Before each category of matches, they do wrestler introductions...to my surprise, not all the sumo wrestlers are native japanese wrestlers...among them that day was a famous Bulgarian and Mongolian wrestler...
Here goes the trademark ceremonial sumo ritual they do before every fight...sometimes it seems like thats all they do because it usually lasts 5 to 6 min. before the actual fight that lasts sometimes only a couple secondes...
The ring is made out of compact sand and clay, and although it's slightly higher than the ground, it's enough to create threatening momentum from falling, losing, sumo wrestlers!...
The most important fights are at the end of the day, and they usually have many advertising sponsors, meaning a lot money and prizes that goes to the winner of the game...each sponsor flag represents mucho dinero!
a flying sumo wrestler!
self explanatory.
Jimmysan, Lousan, Wenwensan, Sumosans, Ericsan, Annesan and Benjiro!...arigatoo!
These next few pictures are from a festival that happens once a year in a city called Karatsu, in Saga prefecture (hour west of Fukuoka).It's a three day festival celebrating culture and life...is that a good enough reason for you?
yes many people showed up...it happened to be the last day
Here they come: 曳山 hikiyama = floatsThis festival is famous for it's 14 hikiyama floats that represent each of the traditional districts of Karatsu.
Many people and different families come and participate to represent their neighborhood, each baring different uniform colors and designs...all in peace of course!
many of these floats have been built a long time ago, seeing that this festival has been happening for a few centuries (late Edo period)...
now that's what I call a gold grill...
le vrai coq sportif?
As they pass through the crowds, musicians on the floats play the flute and taiko drums, while the other people chant or throw salt for cleansing...
more sake!...karatsu-yaki : specialty of the area.
Contrary to wine, this sake is best when you drink it fresh (right after it's made!)
quick lesson: all alcohols in Japan are called o-sake, however the stuff we often drink abroad is actually called Nihon-shu in Japan, which is one amongst many other types of sake...
During the festival, there is a tradition held by the families who participated in the festival: many of them cook traditional meals all day and open their doors to special visitors and family friends...
This local sake company president had invited my friend...and we ate and drank happely ever after...I am wearing his Happi (long sleaved, silk, robe looking-coat vest)
