May 20 - Last week I took some time off from work to catch a few matches of the May Grand Sumo Tournament. Even though it was a Wednesday, the area in front of the Kokugikan was crowded with people. I walked hurriedly to my seat, just in time to catch a glimpse of the Makuuchi Ring Entering Ceremony, which brought back a lot of memories.

The first time I watched a sumo tournament was in 1973 when I was studying in Japan as a high school exchange student. Back then, Takamiyama was the sumo wrestler that I rooted for the most, partly because he was from the United States. I remember seeing his image on television and feeling a kinship with that huge figure. I felt I knew what it must have been like for him to move to Japan and participate in this demanding sport with a long and unique history.

Takamiyama is now retired, and although there are no sumo wrestlers from the United States in this tournament, I am glad to see so many foreigners participating in the sport, including the two Yokozuna from Mongolia (Hakuho and Asashoryu), an ozeki from Bulgaria (Kotooshu), and an appropriately named wrestler from Estonia (Baruto).

After watching the last match of the evening and the graceful bow-dance (yumitori-shiki), I walked outside, listened to the drummer play his rhythm, and strolled a bit with all of the fans, tourists, school children and office workers.

To me, the sharing of tradition is what makes sports so enjoyable, and I am glad to see new generations of sumotori and fans building on the traditions of Japan’s grandest sport.

Until next time,

Jim