Sumo or other cultural activities
Feb 16, 2009, 3:49 am
#1
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Sumo or other cultural activities
Hi,
Does anyone know of any Sumo houses or some other cultural activities that maybe are open to guests to come in and spend some time learning about the culture?
I've found one place (farm/temple) however it is closed over the winter months.
Thanks
- David
Does anyone know of any Sumo houses or some other cultural activities that maybe are open to guests to come in and spend some time learning about the culture?
I've found one place (farm/temple) however it is closed over the winter months.
Thanks
- David
Feb 16, 2009, 8:55 am
#3
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Almost all Sumo stables (heya) are in Tokyo. They're mostly clustered around Ryogoku and neighbouring districts. I was able to set up visits to several in the past -- always calling ahead of time with a polite request. However, I hear they're not so open to visitors these days.
Some companies seem to arrange tours:
http://hisexperience.jp/culturalactivities/sumo.html
It's worth noting that this is not a museum or a cultural show - it's a group of professional sportsmen in training to win - and winning is their livelihood.
Some companies seem to arrange tours:
http://hisexperience.jp/culturalactivities/sumo.html
It's worth noting that this is not a museum or a cultural show - it's a group of professional sportsmen in training to win - and winning is their livelihood.
Feb 16, 2009, 3:59 pm
#4
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Bear in mind that some weeks before each of the three annual major sumo tournaments held outside Tokyo, the sumo stables move to temporary digs in the city where the tournament will be held and are not in Tokyo.
I've only visited a stable once and didn't call ahead, but I knew one of the senior coaches and he knew me so maybe that ensured my welcome. I found that visit very possibly more interesting than the actual tournament -- the training is BRUTAL! Also, as I left, I gave a nice bottle of whiskey with my card to someone to give to the sensei, that might be appropriate to consider as well.
I've only visited a stable once and didn't call ahead, but I knew one of the senior coaches and he knew me so maybe that ensured my welcome. I found that visit very possibly more interesting than the actual tournament -- the training is BRUTAL! Also, as I left, I gave a nice bottle of whiskey with my card to someone to give to the sensei, that might be appropriate to consider as well.
Feb 16, 2009, 4:53 pm
#5
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JR
Feb 17, 2009, 5:21 am
#7
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I was worried about calling it a Sumo Stable. But it seems it is the right name.
My group of 7 has 15 days in Japan, about 6 days will be in tokyo and the rest will be touring Shikoku (staying on a farm for a few days) and the major cities between Tokyo and Hiroshima. Also taking in a game of soccer whilst we are there.
I was hoping for a visit to Sapporo however that last leg between Hachinohe adn Sapporo is very long and thows out the times we planned (ie want to only travel at night).
Well just being able to go and even watch some training would be amazing, we do not have much japanese speaking ability (one of us can read).
Feb 17, 2009, 7:01 am
#8
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It's also possible that your visit might coincide with a Sumo tournament or one of the tours that the sumo wrestlers do -
http://www.sumo.or.jp/eng/jungyo/summary/index.html
The tours are good fun. You don't see any really hard fighting, because the wrestlers don't want to injure themselves outside of a proper tournament. But you can see some good exhibition bouts, some comedy wrestling against children and there's some opportunity to interact with the wrestlers.
http://www.sumo.or.jp/eng/jungyo/summary/index.html
The tours are good fun. You don't see any really hard fighting, because the wrestlers don't want to injure themselves outside of a proper tournament. But you can see some good exhibition bouts, some comedy wrestling against children and there's some opportunity to interact with the wrestlers.
Feb 17, 2009, 11:13 am
#9
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It's also possible that your visit might coincide with a Sumo tournament or one of the tours that the sumo wrestlers do -
http://www.sumo.or.jp/eng/jungyo/summary/index.html
The tours are good fun. You don't see any really hard fighting, because the wrestlers don't want to injure themselves outside of a proper tournament. But you can see some good exhibition bouts, some comedy wrestling against children and there's some opportunity to interact with the wrestlers.
http://www.sumo.or.jp/eng/jungyo/summary/index.html
The tours are good fun. You don't see any really hard fighting, because the wrestlers don't want to injure themselves outside of a proper tournament. But you can see some good exhibition bouts, some comedy wrestling against children and there's some opportunity to interact with the wrestlers.
We will be in Japan from 23rd Feb - 09th of March
Unfortunatley no Tournament or tour :-/
Mar 30, 2009, 12:31 pm
#10
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I would also be interested in visiting a Sumo stable. I will be in Japan for my honeymoon from June 25-July 8, 2009, specifically Tokyo for June 25-July 1.
I understand that there will be a major tournament in less than a month after that, but I hope it does not hamper my chances of seeing a practice.
I understand that there are tours available from HISexperience, among others. Would anyone else mind sharing or PM'ing me some tips or information as to how/whom to contact or what ways a very quiet, respectful foreigner could see a morning's practice?
A poster mentioned whisky. I'll ask about that in another thread...
I understand that there will be a major tournament in less than a month after that, but I hope it does not hamper my chances of seeing a practice.
I understand that there are tours available from HISexperience, among others. Would anyone else mind sharing or PM'ing me some tips or information as to how/whom to contact or what ways a very quiet, respectful foreigner could see a morning's practice?
A poster mentioned whisky. I'll ask about that in another thread...
Apr 3, 2009, 11:22 am
#11
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http://www.quirkyjapan.or.tv/kanto-asageiko.htm
If using it, do take care as it might be out of date now.
I also took a bottle of whisky with me and a had a marvellous, very memorable morning.
----
For UK residents, the BBC recently repeated this fascinating 30 minute documentary on the hair stylists who fashion the wrestlers topknots.
Highly recommended!:-::-::-::-::-:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode...for_Wrestlers/
Apr 3, 2009, 12:07 pm
#12
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I would also be interested in visiting a Sumo stable. I will be in Japan for my honeymoon from June 25-July 8, 2009, specifically Tokyo for June 25-July 1.
I understand that there will be a major tournament in less than a month after that, but I hope it does not hamper my chances of seeing a practice.
...
I understand that there will be a major tournament in less than a month after that, but I hope it does not hamper my chances of seeing a practice.
...
The summer basho starts on July 12 in Nagoya. Many of the heyas will move to temporary quarters in Nagoya before that. I don't know how early they will move but that may impact your chances to find one to visit in Tokyo in late June.
Just for info. I'd suggest checking with the tour organizer anyway.
JR
Apr 4, 2009, 6:56 am
#13
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You could go down to Nagoya for a night and see them there, I did that once. Problem is finding out the locations -- I doubt I could re-find the one I went to, and I wouldn't have found it in the first place had not I been told the exact location by the manager of a (then active) wrestler that I happened to know.
JNTO might be able to do it for you. Clearly it isn't a total secret, there were other people there watching as well.
JNTO might be able to do it for you. Clearly it isn't a total secret, there were other people there watching as well.
Apr 30, 2009, 12:16 am
#15
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For UK residents, the BBC recently repeated this fascinating 30 minute documentary on the hair stylists who fashion the wrestlers topknots.
Highly recommended!:-::-::-::-::-:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode...for_Wrestlers/
Highly recommended!:-::-::-::-::-:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode...for_Wrestlers/
The documentary opened my senses to some exquisite craftsmanship I'd been completely unaware of. At Asakusa I approached a sportsman wearing a chonmage and (with permission!) breathed in the delicious perfume from the unique pomade the tokoyama uses to fashion it.
The laboriously handcrafted pomade isn't applied until after the morning practice, so it isn't something I'd come across before.
A day later, in Ryogoku, I heard the sound of a bicycle bell behind me, stepped aside, and was momentarily brushed with the same glorious scent. The quickly departing cyclist was on the wide side and had a chonmage.