Sumo, or the poetic world of combat

In my search for the authentic -and living tradition- after Siena, Venice, Pamplona and Seville we arrive in Japan, and more specifically in one particular district of Tokyo, Ryogoku. It is here that the arena dedicated to sumo, Japan's national sport, is located and it is nearby that most of the athletes live and train. It is very common to meet them on the street, going about their daily lives: how to recognise them? Apart from their size, kimono, and especially their haircut.

Sumo, besides being a sport, is in fact a real lifestyle, very precisely defined (in the good Japanese fashion). The details that permeate and define the world of sumo are endless: from the scent of the resin used for the hair to the refinement of the costumes, from the ritual gestures to the chanting during the matches, even if only watching as a spectator, one cannot help but be captivated. And all of this, while integral to the experience and essence of sumo, comes as a corollary for the spectator to the spectacular nature of the bouts, which are as short as they are explosive. Each bout is a triumph of power, technique, athleticism and respect (in good Japanese fashion). It goes from a kind of preparatory mantra to lightning-fast action, with the tension previously created during preparation being concentrated at the moment of contact and dissipating when one of the two fighters wins. It is not easy even for the Japanese to find tickets to watch live sumo; for foreigners it is still a very rare event. Tournaments are held every two months, but only in January and May in Tokyo, in the historic dedicated arena. For information and reservations, here is the link.

またね! Jacopo Mauro della Torre