SUMO!!!! Okay, so before I start this story, depends on your browser but you may need to click on July in the archive part (again this depends on your browsers but it should be on the other side of the text).
Alright, with that out of the way. The next bit of detail stuff is that I uploaded the pictures in the wrong order, so basically if you don't look and skip down to the bottom, then go up, that is the order that they were taken and it might make more sense. Who knows?
Okay, a big thank you to Gia who told me about the sumo matches. It is only held 6 times a year (sumo matches), and all through Japan, but it was in Nagoya (the next city over) and so I couldn't resist. Odin, Alex, and Marta and I left right after school to catch the train into the city. We got there in about 30 minutes and caught the subway to the Nagoya castle where there is also the provincial gym (where the sumo was). As soon as we crossed the moat, all of us were FLOORED. First of all there were tons of flags, people, and most of all there was this intense feeling, like the Gods themselves came to watch the matches, it was amazing. The moat was HUGE, and there was greenery everywhere. Such an fantastic feeling. Walking over the bridge you could feel your footsteps melting into history, beautiful.
After taking pictures and trying to take in the beauty of it all we found the ticket vendor. And you can only buy your tickets the day of and the matches start at 9am and go till 6pm, so most people make a day out of it. And because it was 4pm when we got there, the two cheapest tickets had been sold. But it was okay, after a lot of hesitation we all decided to go and see it anyway. So we bought our tickets and walked through the gates. The first impression was AWE. The feeling in the building was drenched in tradition, excitement, and zen. Not knowing where our seats were we walked up along the path that the sumo wrestlers walk and took some pictures until an usher showed us that we were suppose to be on the second floor (opps). He showed us the way down this tiny metal hallway and while we were walking we were passed by 4 different sumo wrestlers who just sort of hit themselves on the chest and walked by. Up close those huge men are TERRIFYING! I can't imagine entering a ring and looking at one of them, intense to be sure.
So once we got to our seats we all settled in. None of us had seen a live sumo match so we didn't know what the feeling would be. After the first wows and awe, I spotted Erika and her friends sitting down in the box seats. So I went to talk to her, and then brought Odin, Marta, and Alex back with me. The box seats at the top were empty so no one said anything to us about sitting in them, and the view was a lot better. It was INSANE to cross paths again with Erika. Man oh man. Introductions were made and we were all watching, Alex filming the whole thing on his camera. Me, taking tons of pictures.
The most amazing moment was right at the end though. The final match. An intense match to be sure, but right when it ended, the whole crowd stood up and started throwing their zabutons (cushions) at the ring. The people in the front used their own cushions to protect their heads as cushions flew like frisbees towards the center. The crowd cheering, old women and men grabbing up any cushion they could find and chucking it. Such an amazing release. An intense contrast to the quiet polite watching that had been going on for hours before. There was no shouting, a bit of clapping, but this was like thunder. Truly the wildest thing I have seen here in Japan.
After that Odin wanted to get a grammar book at a book store by Nagoya station so we caught a bus there. I picked up a really good grammar book as well and a book on Bushido. After the book store we searched around for somewhere to eat, all of us getting pretty hungry and tired (8pm and we had not ate since noon). Finally we opted for kiosk food and to go home. Unlucky for us we were in the middle of rush hour and we were PACKED into the train. But only 30 minutes later we were getting off at Okazaki. Alex and Marta both went home shortly after getting back, but Odin and I stayed at the school and studied for a while. Finally I dragged myself back here and got to bed around 1am, back up at 6am to finish homework and now I am exhausted and off to bed.
Shika, the CD kicks ASS!!!! Thank you. You totally made my day!
Goodnight all.
Alright, with that out of the way. The next bit of detail stuff is that I uploaded the pictures in the wrong order, so basically if you don't look and skip down to the bottom, then go up, that is the order that they were taken and it might make more sense. Who knows?
Okay, a big thank you to Gia who told me about the sumo matches. It is only held 6 times a year (sumo matches), and all through Japan, but it was in Nagoya (the next city over) and so I couldn't resist. Odin, Alex, and Marta and I left right after school to catch the train into the city. We got there in about 30 minutes and caught the subway to the Nagoya castle where there is also the provincial gym (where the sumo was). As soon as we crossed the moat, all of us were FLOORED. First of all there were tons of flags, people, and most of all there was this intense feeling, like the Gods themselves came to watch the matches, it was amazing. The moat was HUGE, and there was greenery everywhere. Such an fantastic feeling. Walking over the bridge you could feel your footsteps melting into history, beautiful.
After taking pictures and trying to take in the beauty of it all we found the ticket vendor. And you can only buy your tickets the day of and the matches start at 9am and go till 6pm, so most people make a day out of it. And because it was 4pm when we got there, the two cheapest tickets had been sold. But it was okay, after a lot of hesitation we all decided to go and see it anyway. So we bought our tickets and walked through the gates. The first impression was AWE. The feeling in the building was drenched in tradition, excitement, and zen. Not knowing where our seats were we walked up along the path that the sumo wrestlers walk and took some pictures until an usher showed us that we were suppose to be on the second floor (opps). He showed us the way down this tiny metal hallway and while we were walking we were passed by 4 different sumo wrestlers who just sort of hit themselves on the chest and walked by. Up close those huge men are TERRIFYING! I can't imagine entering a ring and looking at one of them, intense to be sure.
So once we got to our seats we all settled in. None of us had seen a live sumo match so we didn't know what the feeling would be. After the first wows and awe, I spotted Erika and her friends sitting down in the box seats. So I went to talk to her, and then brought Odin, Marta, and Alex back with me. The box seats at the top were empty so no one said anything to us about sitting in them, and the view was a lot better. It was INSANE to cross paths again with Erika. Man oh man. Introductions were made and we were all watching, Alex filming the whole thing on his camera. Me, taking tons of pictures.
The most amazing moment was right at the end though. The final match. An intense match to be sure, but right when it ended, the whole crowd stood up and started throwing their zabutons (cushions) at the ring. The people in the front used their own cushions to protect their heads as cushions flew like frisbees towards the center. The crowd cheering, old women and men grabbing up any cushion they could find and chucking it. Such an amazing release. An intense contrast to the quiet polite watching that had been going on for hours before. There was no shouting, a bit of clapping, but this was like thunder. Truly the wildest thing I have seen here in Japan.
After that Odin wanted to get a grammar book at a book store by Nagoya station so we caught a bus there. I picked up a really good grammar book as well and a book on Bushido. After the book store we searched around for somewhere to eat, all of us getting pretty hungry and tired (8pm and we had not ate since noon). Finally we opted for kiosk food and to go home. Unlucky for us we were in the middle of rush hour and we were PACKED into the train. But only 30 minutes later we were getting off at Okazaki. Alex and Marta both went home shortly after getting back, but Odin and I stayed at the school and studied for a while. Finally I dragged myself back here and got to bed around 1am, back up at 6am to finish homework and now I am exhausted and off to bed.
Shika, the CD kicks ASS!!!! Thank you. You totally made my day!
Goodnight all.
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