Our school hosted a high school Sumo team for an exhibition. The school was buzzing with excitement. The wrestlers were gracious and comedians. The event left a lasting impression on all of us. The teachers were in charge of feeding the wrestlers. I served them Melanie's Bow Tie Pasta. It was a hit! The girls and boys can still be seen on the playground and in the halls doing the action in the second picture below.
Things you don't see everyday at my school!
Rikishi first face their corner and perform shiko, the foot stomping which drives demons from the dohyo.
Once the last rikishi in the group has been introduced, the rikishi, who are facing the spectators, turn inward and face each other around the ring. After clapping their hands once, they raise their right hand, lift their kesho-mawashi (decorative aprons created for the ring ceremony), and finally raise both hands in unison. This tradition goes back to the samurai days and represents the rikishi showing each other that none is armed.
I can totally do this!
From ages 7 to 27.
The asked for volunteers to take their shirts off to get into the ring. Yes, you see our Alex.
They wrestled the wee ones and let them win. The butt that's facing the camera is the Olympic champion from Okinawa.
The gang!
