Still feeling like a tourist

Ok, part 2. I should stop trying to Skype with Skylar, write an enormous blog, and do Japanese homework in one night. It leads to a very short night of sleep. -_-

But, it's still early so hopefully I can get to bed at a more reasonable time tonight.

Now where was I? Ah, yes. After posing for about 30 different cameras for the Tokyo Sky Tree shot, we lined up along what looked like a riverwalk to the boat bus stop. While there was a wonderfully cool breeze blowing on us as we waited for the boat bus to arrive, the sun beat down on us pretty hard and I eventually found myself doing something rather Japanese. I opened up my umbrella to make some shade. Ok, I think to say that it's Japanese specifically is inaccurate since other Asians are known to do it, so maybe it's better to say that I am becoming more Asian? >_>

Anyway, the boat bus finally arrived and I had to make a decision between sitting inside the boat in the cool shade and giving my feet a much-needed rest, or getting on top of the boat and standing but getting some great views of the city while doing so. I don't regret choosing the latter, even if my feet beg to differ.

With Elisabeth and Manami.

Peaking over the edge of the railing. Raymond (in the orange shirt) seems to be enjoying the view as well.

Getting a shot with Tokyo Sky Tree in the distance.

Raymond again.

I have no idea what this is. It was just weird and interesting enough to take a picture of.

Blimp!

Another boat bus that was way cooler looking than ours.

Once we got to our stop, we headed over to the next and last stop of the tour. Sumo wrestling. Yeah, I got to see an actual sumo competition. It was pretty awesome. I have no love for or desire to watch Western-style wrestling, but I found myself really enjoying the sumo matches. The best way I can describe it is that it was like a well-mannered American wrestling match. It's not to say that the fans were not enthusiastic. There was definitely no lack of that around. But it was in a more respectful, reserved kinda way. Also, they still follow the same old traditions that seem to define and distinguish sumo wrestling from other types of similar sports. The rituals involved were very clearly important to both the competitors and the spectators.

As for the rules, it seems to be really complicated, but I picked up the important points from watching it. No kicking and no grabbing below the belt (on the belt is fine of course). Get your opponent to either touch the ground with any part of their body other than their feet or out of the ring first to win. Body touching the floor surpasses being pushed out of the ring. We saw one bout where a sumo wrestler was being pulled to the ground and as he was falling, he pulled the other guy (almost threw him actually) out of the ring. He lost because he hit the ground even though the other guy landed a good 10 feet from the ring.

Across the street from the sumo arena.

Clearly a very popular sport.

Sweepers getting the ring ready for the competition.

Doing the signature sumo move in preparation for the bout. This was performed by each competitor for every fight. It was pretty drawn out, but still interesting to watch.

More rituals before the fight. The white stuff you see on there is salt that the wrestlers throw into the ring. It is used to purify the ring, an ancient ritual likely originating from the sport's Shinto origins.

And the match begins! Sorry for the butt shots, we just happen to get seats from this angle.

 

And it's over! Most of these bouts lasted no more than a few seconds.

A shrine in front of the sumo arena.

Sumo wrestlers coming out after finishing their bout. While the crowds were small because the competition was still going on inside, these guys were practically movie stars. Many fans followed them to their cabs and asked for autographs. How Sean and LoLo (on the left there) managed to exit among them is a mystery to me.

I wanted to go see the nearby garden before leaving, but decided I was too tired to look for it. So we headed back to the dorm for some delicious mystery dinner before going to bed.