Sumo Wrestling

On September 22, I went to Tokyo to see sumo wrestling.  Sumo tournaments are held six times a year, fifteen days each. In January, May and September they are held in Tokyo. The other three are held in March in Nagoya, in July in Nagoya and in November in Fukuoka. The above picture is Sumo Gymnasium in Ruogoku, Tokyo. 

A sumo wrestler Okinoumi arrived at the gym for his bout today.

Wrestlers show up altogether in two groups; one from the east, the other from the west. Above wrestlers appeared from the east.

These wrestlers appeared from the west.

The grand champion Hakuho showed up and is about to step on the ring flanked by two subordinates.

The left wrestler(Takanoyama) is from the Czech Republic and the right one(Kyokutenho) is from Mongolia. Thus sumo wrestling has become international.

Today's final bout was between Hakuho(left) and Kisenosato(right). Hakuho lost.

After the final bout a bow dance was performed to celebrate the winner.

Written and posted by Mitsutoshi Masunari.

Horseback Archery at Samukawa-jinja Shrine

Horseback archery is called Yabusame in Japanese which is said to have started about 1,500 years ago. But the oldest description about it was found in a history book written in 1096 during the Heian Period.
I went to Samukawa-jinja Shrine with a British educator Johnny to see a horseback archery ceremory on September 19. It was a national holiday in Japan so there were full of people there. 

The course was 215 meter long and there were three targets on the same side. In the center of the picture there is a target which is the second one. The first round started with 10 archers who were given two chances respectively. 

In the Kamakura Period(1192-1333) Yoritomo Minamoto who was the founder of the Kamakura Government encouraged to practice horseback archery to enhance warrior's ability of archery.

Then, three smaller targets were prepared for the second round. For one target two plates made of pottery have been attached together. Between the plates confetto have been stuffed.  Five archers were eliminated and contested their skill at the second round.

An archer named Yoshitaka Tanaka won with his horse Heian.

Written and posted by Mitsutoshi Masunari.

Johnny at Samukawa-jinja Shrine

 

Enyuu-ji Temple in Meguro Ward of Tokyo

Enyuu-ji Temple is a Tendai-sect temple. It was founded by Jikaku Daishi aka Ennin in 853 and was named as Hofuku-ji Temple. During the Kamakura Period it was converted to Nichiren-sect temple in 1283 and was renamed as Hokke-ji Temple. It had been Nichiren-sect temple for about 400 years until it was forced to close by the Tokugawa Government during the Edo Period because  Buddist priests of this temple neglected believers of other sects' Buddhism.

In 1698 it was converted to Tendai-sect temple again and restarted. In 1834 this temple was renamed as the current name Enyuu-ji Temple.

This is the main hall of Enyuu-ji Temple.

Between the entrance gate and the main hall there is another gate ' Niomon' in which a pair of statues of Nio stand on both side of the gate.