With memories of the Osaka Haru Basho starting to fade, a lot of sumo fans will be looking to May 7th and the first day of the Natsu Basho in Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan.
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| Yokozuna Asashoryu is backed by four ozeki during a dedication ceremony at Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo April 7th. |
Many, however, will be unaware that the sumo they see on the dohyo for each fifteen day stretch is just one part of the sport so via this column we'll be trying to get a glimpse at some of the goings on off the dohyo; the things that 'sumoites' around the world ponder between basho and as much more as can be squeezed in.