The Sumo tournament was far more exciting than I had anticipated it being. I knew it would be a new cultural experience and wanted to attend, but I didn't expect to enjoy it so much. It was a lot of fun! It might have also been the copious amount of beers we drank as well. It's a sporting event though, right? The picture above is of the arena. It looks like we are far away but we could see the action without a problem. We sat in the B section of the seats. The seats on the lower floor were cushions on the floor. I don't think I could have sat like that for 6 hours so I went with the chairs instead.
Before each round of wrestlers (they are broken in to categories based on skill and record) they all come out in their expensive outfits and get introduced. These robes start at about $20,000 and go up from there. Some had their sponsors name, etc. Kinda of like a driver's car I suppose. So they walk around the circle and then disappear back in to the waiting area til their turn.
I didn't realize sumo had such a mental element as well, but I suppose when a typical match lasts 5 seconds you have to stretch it out some how. Each wrestler would approach his opponent and get in position, then stand up and get some salt and toss it around the ring to bless it. Then they would approach eachother and stomp like this (stomping out the evil spirits) then maybe go back to their corner and get more salt. They they would finally wrestle. They have 4 minutes for this mental game before they must start. I guess they're just trying to psych eachother out.
Then the wrestling would begin. Like I said, usually about 5 or less seconds. Sometimes they would pull an "Ole!" move as we dubbed it and get their opponent to fall flat on his face out of the get go. I guess they can tell when they're too anxious on the line.
We bet on each match as anyone who has attended a baseball game with my Dad knows. I think we got pretty good towards the end! We also had programs in English and an English broadcast that helped us follow the action. I would definitely go again although tickets aren't cheap so we'll see!
After the tournament we headed over to Popeye's Beer Club that I had found on the internet. Inside was full so we sat out on the balcony and made our own makeshift table. The people inside probably thought we were crazy, but it was fun! We also discovered they had free appetizers with every drink you ordered! Success!
Well, success until the keg of beer ran out. Our waiter brought me the last inch though and I had to switch beers. I wish I remember what it was though- delicious!
This was our waiter at Popeye's. It is the only picture I have of our server and I had to include a picture of him because he is a fellow Iowa Stater! He got his masters from Iowa State and was thus named Cyclone all night because I did not know his real name. Such a small world.
Sumo night was a success! Such a good time had by everyone! Thanks for joining us Laura and Tyler!
This cave is called Tenzan (meaning Heavenly Mountain) which was the headquarters for the Japanese Northern Naval Base in '45. The hill is the location of a natural sauna, and is regularly 118-120 degrees F.
Iwo Jima has a wealth of wild/feral cats that descend from domestic cats that were left by the Japanese civilians who were forced to leave the island at the beginning of WWII. This one was all alone and rather hungry looking. He even tried to eat my leg when he realized I had no food for him.
This post stands on top of Mt Suribachi in from of the USMC Landing Memorial. The monument was erected to remember the famous flag raising after the battle. It is a tradition for service members to hang their dog tags the first time they climb Suribachi.
Less historical (though ancient), here is the mighty Liberty 603 on the return flight to the mainland.
