Summer 本場所 Honbasho

When I was working in Tokyo, I passed by Asakusa a lot of times. During which I encountered many sumo wrestlers cycling up and down the street. Some were fast and some were cruising. Some almost run over a colleague of mine. Although, this may be a day-to-day happening in the old district of Tokyo, from the outsiders’ stance, it’s a chance to muck around and do some kung-fu moves. Believe me, don’t. You’ll just look stupid. Not that they’ll hit back or anything because in fact, they are seen as role models than being considered as warriors. They follow a very strict code since childhood. Admittedly, less and less homegrown wrestlers nowadays reach the ultimate rank, the Yokuzuna status of sumo so the public interest is dwindling more and more.

For us, the trip to J-land wouldn’t be complete without seeing the bouts live. I saw it twice and definitely it’s a must see.

The next tournament has started already which is running from 12th – 26th July in Nagoya. Bouts are all day but the heavyweights don’t come out till 4-6pm. Well, you gotta have a climax at the end, huh?

Tanabata – the star festival

七夕　たなばた tanabata = evening of the seventh, is a Japanese star festival. 7 is already considered as a lucky number and 7/7 or 7th July is a special day in Japan. The seventh day of the seventh month of the lunisolar calendar celebrates the meeting of two of the brightest stars known as Princess Orihime (Vega in constellation Lyra) and Prince Hikoboshi (Altair in constellation Aquila). Tale has it that the two fell in love at first sight and soon after did nothing in life. So the Gods got angry and put a curse on them to be apart throughout the year and the great river (the Milky Way) would be their greatness obstacle. But luckily, once a year these two lovers can meet when a bridge mysteriously appears. On the other hand, when it rains, it means the Gods are angry with them. Therefore they cannot meet because it will cause the river to overflow. So they will have to wait and try again next year.

Despite its romantic connotation, modern day Japan generally celebrates it by writing wishes on a 短冊　たんざく　tanzaku = small piece of paper, and hanging them on bamboo. The celebration differs across the region from hanging 紙衣　かみごろも　kamigoromo = (wishes for good sewing) to 巾着　きんちゃく　kinchaku = (wishes for good business).