Sunday Sep. 11 will see the Sumo Association resume the closest thing to normal service they can hope for in the present era of post-scandal reflection. It will be he first tourney back in the Ryogoku Kokugikan after a summer of much discontent and thus "coming home" to the capital will offer the powers that be the chance to win back a disaffected public.
One first-timer set to be making her debut at the sumo come Sunday, Eriko Matsuda, a Ginza area shop staffer said, "I want to feel the atmosphere at the Kokugikan. I have seen sumo on TV many times, but want to see it in person, to see the kensho (advertising banners), hopefully to see the zabuton flying and see how excited the fans are. And, as I have been invited by a friend who really likes sumo I thought I would also take this opportunity to see it first hand for myself."
The association will at least be hoping to pull in more like Matsuda but at time of going to print are far from selling out the first day of action according to the editor of Sumo Fan Magazine, Chris Gould, who went to purchase tickets for a private visit on Sept. 11 just days before it all kicks off.