Photo of the Day Archive for July 2006

by Albert Wen, Nov 15, 2006 | Destinations: Japan

Although baseball has gained enormous popularity since its introduction to Japan, sumo wrestling still remains its national sport. Sumo fans turn out in droves to enjoy the six tournaments called basho held throughout the year. Here, a crowd waits for the sumo basho to begin.

Image © 2002 Robert George

The Tokyo district of Rygoku is home of one of Japan's most famous Sumo wrestling facilities. Sumo wrestlers train very strenuously for their six annual basho tournaments, and must consume up to 10,000 calories a day to achieve and maintain their enormous stature. When they're not in training however, they can be seen strolling the city sidewalks wearing blue and white cotton robes called yukata.

Sumo is the national sport of Japan, in which two very large wrestlers attempt to force each other from a circular ring measuring 4.5 meters in diameter. Many rituals and traditions are associated with the sport of sumo, and each wrestler's costume consist of nothing more than a colorful silk belt wrapped around his waist and loins. Sumo is year-round sport, with tournaments called basho that last for two weeks during alternate months. A sumo basho is held for each season of the year, (Hatsu, Haru, Natsu, and Aki), with two regional events in between. Sumo tournaments are festive, all-day affairs, attended by thousands of spectators bearing food and beverages to sustain them throughout the day's competition.

Photo of the Day Archive for July 2006

More From This Author

How to photograph an eclipse: don't look at it directly...

Eclipsed in Hong Kong

China

Albert Wen

A Year of the Tiger display at the Landmark, Central, Hong Kong

Kung Hei Fat Choi

China

Albert Wen

Photo of the Day Archive for August 2004

Nepal

Albert Wen

Photo of the Day Archive for July 2004

Vietnam

Albert Wen

Japan

Bebe

Seijin Hi: Coming of Age Day in Japan

Japan

Frank Lev

Hadaka Matsuri Getting Naked...In Japan...In January

Japan

Celeste Heiter

Sakurajima Volvano

Japan

Jan Polatschek

About ThingsAsian

ThingsAsian is an Asia travel website with stories contributed by a worldwide community. Although we cover a wide range of topics, our emphasis is on art, culture, history and travel. Our writers, photographers and contributors are real people who tell you the stories of their personal travels and experiences. Some of the countries we currently cover are Burma, Cambodia, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Laos, Macau, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

Email: info@thingsasian.com

ThingsAsian | ThingsAsian Press

Photo of the Day Archive for July 2006

Image © 2002 Robert George

More From This Author

China

Albert Wen

China

Albert Wen

Nepal

Albert Wen

Vietnam

Albert Wen

Japan

Bebe

Japan

Frank Lev

Japan

Celeste Heiter

Japan

Jan Polatschek

Explore Other Destinations

China

Myanmar

Vietnam

India

Malaysia

Japan

Cambodia

Thailand

ThingsAsian | ThingsAsian Press

Search form

Photo of the Day Archive for July 2006

Image © 2002 Robert George

More From This Author

Explore Other Destinations