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The Kanji reads: Sumo. As in Sumo Wrestling.

Sumo is widely known throughout the world and is a one of the most recognizable martial arts (yes it is a martial art) from Japan. Back from it's origination, it was considered a part-time job and form of entertainment for wandering samurai. Aside from that, it's a shinto practice.

The wrestlers are pretty much royalty here in Japan. They get fed, are given certain guidelines to follow and are basically holier than thou. Beginners are put through a series of extenuating  tests in order to show loyalty, for example, they basically are hazed by the upper class sumos and even are obligated to wipe their asses after chili night (NO JOKE).

 

I saw this event in Ryogoku, which is a total sumo town in Tokyo. The arena was Ryogoku Kokugikan which is supposedly the big dance for Sumo. 

The Sumo gather in the dahyo, which is the clay area for sumo combat.(No women are allowed to set foot on it according to tradition). to introduce themselves (remember back in my blog about mma). And the tournament begins. 






The rules are simple nothing but the soles of your feet can touch the ground. 
Very fast paced. I dig it!!