Sumo
I was so lucky to be able to experience this event. We lined up for approximately 30 minutes to buy our tickets. The energy was already so strong at 8 in the morning. We could see glimpses of the sumo’s as they entered into the building through the huge crowds of people. These sumo’s were like superstars. I had always read in books that the sumo’s were treated like royalty and now I was experiencing it for the first time.
The arena was amazing, very traditional, as I imagined. There was a raised platform where the sumo’s had their bouts. The bowing was routine when the sumo’s went on head to head and was the last greeting when they finished their bout. What was very surprising was when the favorite sumo lost his round and everyone immediately got up and threw their cushions onto the arena. I thought this was very un Japanese like, however very amusing. I was told later that this was common to see at the sumo. What I did notice next was without delay, there were people scurrying around quickly picking up the thrown cushions and maintaining order. I laughed to myself; very Japanese like.