33rd Grand Sumo Tournament

On February 8th we headed up to Tokyo to experience sumo. Sumo (Japanese wrestling) is the national sport. It is considered a professional sport and is a combination of ancient ceremony and the powerful wrestlers. Tokyo Ryogoku Kokugikan where the sumo tournament was held.
Shrine at the back of the stadium

The family ready to see sumo

A view of the Shin-kokugikan (sumo stadium) from our seats. We were in the balcony with a great view of the Dohyo (ring)

Each corner of the Dohyo was represented by a color which corresponded to a season of the year. Starting in the far left and circling clock wise you have Aka-busa: red corner - Shiro-busa: white corner - Kuro-busa: black corner and Ao-busa: blue corner. The hanging roof is made to look like the roof of a shinto shrine.
We went down for a closer look before the matches started

Above you see the Box Seats. Another obvious example that our two cultures are so very different. These maroon mats on the floor inside of the metal railings were box seats for which you paid quite a bit for. We were happy to be in the balcony where there were actual chairs:)
Dylan was such a sweet young man during the hours and hours of sumo we watched.

Before the tournament began, we had a taste of the ceremonial aspects of sumo. Throughout the whole tournament be it between the two wrestlers, amongst the judges, the broom boys (maybe like ball boys but guys who sweep the ring) or any other time the affair was steeped in ceremony.

Introduction of the Juryo Division. During the tournament we watched two different divisions wrestle: the Juryo then later the Makuuchi Division. There are six total divisions.
Ceremony before the wrestling began.

Stomping down the evil spirits before they began to wrestle. Here they go...

During the intermission: A few sumo wrestlers got into the Dohyo with little boys to wrestle. It was really cute. There was also a slap stick bout of fake sumo fighting where the wrestlers used many of the illegal moves to "win". It would have been funnier had we known what they were saying.

There was also the Yokozuna (Grand Champion) presentation between divisions. He is wearing the Kesho-mawashi (ceremonial apron)
Introducing the Makuuchi Division

The sumo wrestler above was the largest one we saw the whole tournament.

He lost his bout - he charged and the other guy only had to side step. Then he gave him a little shove and big guy here was out of the ring (mostly on his own momentum)

Dylan excited about sumo:)Yumitori: The bow dance is performed at the end of the tournament. It is done to purify the ring and is usually performed by a wrestler from the makushita division or lower. The winner of the whole tournament was the sumo on the right in the brown mawashi (belt) and the runner up is on the left in the blue mawashi. Both are foreigners (winner = Mongolian and the runner up = Bulgarian) The arena after the tournament was over. We thoroughly enjoyed the sumo tournament. Sumo truly is so much more than massive men wrestling each other.

Nikko Part One

Another Adventure: This time we headed 4 hours north to Nikko, Japan to stay at a Ryokan and experience Edo Mura Village (Edo Wonderland)

Reading through the Japanese Inn booklet trying to find a traditional ryokan, we were both apprehensive and excited about the experience. The apprehension came in when I read the how to use the bath section of the book. I will type up all the directions at the end of the blog for those of you who are interested. Needless to say I was thinking, I may not take a bath during the weekend since it was going to be a shared hot spring! Good thing it was supposed to be super cold - i.e. 10 degrees at night time.Above is the Annex Turtle Hotori-An that we stayed at in Nikko.

The inn was located on the banks of the Daiya River and had it's own hot spring. We stayed in a traditional Japanese style room. Meaning the floor was tatami (straw mats) and our beds were not up off the ground. You had a shikibuton (or mattress on the floor), then a mofu (or blanket) along with a kakebuton (or quilt) and makura (pillow). All the padding that you see if for on top of you! Not the most comfortable beds ever.

Good news - we had a bathroom attached to our room!!! It included a western style toilet, sink and shower!!Here we are in the Turtle Inn Yukatas that were provided.

Yukata is a robe but some people use them as pjsThe Daiya River next to which our Inn was located.The Red Shinkyo (snake) Sacred Bridge

The bridge was built in 1636.

The legend behind the bridge is as follows:

"The legend said that the hermit - Priest Shodo could not cross over the Daiya river for his mission to climb Mount Nantai, and implored the gods for help. The God of snake - Jinjaou, appeared from the clouds when Shodo burned a holy fire to ask help and cast down a snake from bank to bank which formed a bridge."

I had also heard that for a long time only the Emperor was allowed to use the Shinkyo bridge. Currently anyone that wants to pay can cross over the river using the bridge. Statue of a monk across from the bridge

One of the roads we walked from the train station to get to our ryokan.

The mountains in Nikko were glorious!
outside of Nikko station

more pictures of the Daiya river

Rory and I on the train heading to Kinugawa-onsen.Dylan and MommyOutside of the Nikko train station, we found this area. The sign above says Delicious Nikko water please help yourself (I could read the sign -just kidding the white paper hanging down is in English). Through out Nikko, we saw numerous little wells and drinking areas which were all natural springs. We saw numerous hikers filling their water bottles with Nikko mountain spring water here at the station.We thought we would try some of the delicious Nikko water as well:)

This monster greeted us as we exited the at the Kinugawa-onsen station. We stayed in Nikko but Edo Wonderland was actually located closer to the Kinugawa-onsen area. Staying at one of the hot spring resorts was going to cost more than we cared to spend thus we stayed in Nikko.

The monster wasn't the only thing that greeted us in Kinugawa-onsen. Japan's national tourist agency had a booth set up in the station! Thankfully we asked for directions and were blessed greatly! That weekend Kinugawa-onsen was being highlighted. Foreigners received free bus passes. Not only did we get the free bus pass but with the flyer we were given we got into Edo Wonderland for free!! The Lord worked the timing out perfect because the only free day was the day we were heading there!!

This shelter was outside of the station. Upon closer inspection we realized it was a hot spring for anyone to use - Interesting. No we did not share in the experience with our Japanese brothers.

"How to Use the Bath at a Ryokan

Do not use soap in the tub. Please remember that the tub water is not for one person only but used repeatedly, therefore, do not pull out the drain plug.

1) place all of your clothing in the basket or shelf in the changing room. (nothing is to be worn inside the bathroom except your small towel)

2) cleanse your body with soap outside the bath tub

3) after thoroughly washing off the soap step into the bath tub

4) when you immerse yourself in a tub of water that is a little on the hot side you will be able to relax you strained nerves and muscles. When the water is too hot you can adjust it by running cold water into the tub but be sure not to overdo it

5) please do not unplug the drain in the tub when getting out.

* in regards to use of the bathroom (for taking baths) there will be those that will be used together with other guests in case of large bathrooms and there will be those in which certain times are set for use by different families and groups"

Now I think you can understand why I thought I would not be showering/bathing!! I promise that I typed those directions word for word like they have them here in the book!

Nikko Part Two

Edo Wonderland is a theme park where you can experience the Edo period of Japan. The park reenacts life back in the Shogun days roughly 1603 to 1867.

Come to find out not only were we getting in free but this was the last day of the season. Edo Wonderland was closing down the next day until April. Wow thank you Lord for the awesome timing!Hatago Inn

- until this era travelers had to sleep outdoors or at the local shrine

Nyan Mage the Edo Mura's beloved mascot. I believe he is supposed to be a ninja cat Dylan absolutely loved him!!! Later in the day, we saw the cat again and Dylan wouldn't stop playing with him.

I saw this in one of the wax museums. Are you kidding?!?!

I didn't realize that pet strollers was not a new thing Here I am totally slaughtering the ninja hand pose before the ninja show.

We couldn't get good pictures from the ninja show since it was dark. Dylan loved the show and would sit on the edge of his seat in eager anticipation of the next act.

The Oiran Dochu Parade.

The point of the parade to show off the glamour and flamboyance of the Oiran Dochu or Ultimate Geisha

How in the world did they walk in these shoes? I wonder if they always had an assistant to hold on to as in the picture you see above this shoe shot?

Mizugei an the ancient art was a water magic show. Kimono-clad ladies would manipulate small water widgets hidden in their fans. Mizugei was enjoyed at resorts and spas in the Edo period. 2009 it wasn't that fascinating, but interesting to see more of the Japanese culture.

The Great Battle: The Ninja versus the Jubei (sword master). This show was performed on an outdoor stage in the center of the theme park. It was enjoyable but not understanding what people are saying in these different shows does make it tough.
The Ninja winners with Rory and Dylan after the show
Trying to stand up straight (whatever that meant) in the Ninja Kai Kai Tei House of Illusion.

The pictures don't do the place justice - the house really messed with my mind!! Not only was there one floor of this crazy mind altering illusion house but two. By the time we made it to the second floor I was ready to get out!

Rory really has the standing up straight thing down pat:) hee hee