Sumo

Yokozuna, the Grand Champion performing a traditional ceremony

Chiri-o-Kuri, a gesture of fair play

Torikumi-A violent initial charge toward by the 'Rikishi' against his opponent at the start of a Sumo bout.

The Elite Wrestlers enter the ring before a series of bout's. These aprons cost about one million yen with some costing tens of millions of yen.

My Sumo friend

Sumo is the national sport of Japan, full of rituals and traditions. Yesterday, we were fortunate enough to catch the last tournament of the season. There are only four tournaments throughout the year, and they are not cheap at $90.00 a seat. Everything in Sumo is symbolic of something from the throwing of the salt to the hair style. The competition is conducted in strict accordance with traditional rituals. It was a long afternoon, but at the end when the elite wrestlers competed, it was pretty exciting. The elite wrestlers are paid a hefty sum and live a nice life here in Japan.