Our last couple of days in Japan were spent wandering around, shopping, eating, playing arcade games, and watching sumo!
For those that don’t know, sumo is the greatest spectator sport ever! It’s got something for everyone - tradition, ceremony, history, and two fat bastards hurtling themselves at one another. Plus, if you only like some of those aspects, you can tune out the ones you don’t like. So, for example, you can sit and drink beer with your friends, and ignore all the symbolic stuff, and just watch the action.
Although, to be honest, the stamping and preening beforehand is pretty fun too - you get to watch the rikishi [wrestlers] attempt to freak each other out.
It was a good note to leave Japan on - two days of a sumo tournament, including lots of good food. And, of course, video games for Remi and Andrew.
December 1st, 2006 at 3:02 pm - Edit
Hi ! Do not know if this will actually get to you but shall try….Angela- so glad you got to see the Sumo as recall it was first on your list of must-do’s. Thanks for the travelogue–it has been fun experiencing it with all of you…Neil- we would sort of like to have a Japanese Pond (with bridge) also!!
Wishing you a safe return……r&e