Sumo | INSIDE SUMO Jun 24, 2020
State of sumo content online leaves much to be desired
by John Gunning
The JSA would be wise to start taking advantage of its "back catalog" and making footage of bouts and tournaments of the past available online.
Sumo | INSIDE SUMO Feb 12, 2020
Legendary Ryogoku Kokugikan has adapted to modern needs
by John Gunning
One of sport's most overused cliches is the labeling of a ballpark or stadium as the mecca of football, baseball or basketball. True, there are adherents everywhere that regard their team's home ground as sacred, and treat each weekend like a pilgrimage, but it's a ...
Sumo Sep 10, 2019
by John Gunning
The six yearly grand sumo tournaments are held at four locations. The January, March and September meets are in Tokyo, while the March, July and November tournaments take place in Osaka, Nagoya and Fukuoka, respectively. The venues for all six have remained the same for decades ...
Sumo | INSIDE SUMO Aug 28, 2019
Japan slow to offer support to women's sumo
by John Gunning
"It's not only boys who can practice and enjoy sumo. There are girls that like sumo too. I hope someday women can become pros." Those were the words of elementary school student Rie Ishibashi, on the day she made history by becoming the first-ever fifth ...
Sumo Jul 10, 2019
by John Gunning
Three of the six yearly Grand Sumo tournaments are held in Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan. The large structure, located next to the Edo-Tokyo Museum in Sumida Ward, opened in 1985. It also houses a sumo museum as well as the offices of the Japan Sumo Association. The ...
Sumo | INSIDE SUMO Jun 19, 2019
Retirement ceremonies often full of emotion
by John Gunning
It's no secret that difficulty in procuring tickets is one of the main hurdles preventing overseas visitors from being able to watch sumo in person. In recent years, third-party agents, some catering almost exclusively to foreign tourists, have provided fans with an alternative means of ...
Sumo May 27, 2019
The American-made trophy presented by U.S. President Donald Trump at a sumo tournament will join the sport's historical materials at a museum in Tokyo, the sport's governing body said Monday. The President's Cup, which was presented by Trump to the winner of the Summer Grand ...
Sumo May 1, 2019
Sumo wrestlers make beefy salute to first day of Japan's new era
Sumo's biggest stars joined some 70 fellow heavyweights of the sport in using their bodies to spell out the two kanji characters representing Japan's new imperial era name, as the country celebrated the enthronement of its new emperor Wednesday. The wrestlers from the top two ...
Sumo Jan 26, 2019
by John Gunning
Sumo tickets go on sale roughly about six weeks before the start of every tournament. There are various categories and prices, as well as certain kinds of seats that are unique to particular venues, but generally speaking tickets fall into two main groups — masu ...
Sumo Jan 19, 2019
Sumo 101: Championship portraits
by John Gunning
One of the most striking features of Ryogoku Kokugikan is the ring of giant portraits hanging from the rafters. The 32 images (each 3.17 x 2.22 meters including frame) show the winners for the past 32 tournaments. Prior to each of the three annual Tokyo meets, ...
Sumo Nov 22, 2018
by John Gunning
It's no surprise that sumo, an activity hundreds (possibly thousands) of years old, has several museums solely dedicated to its history. What is surprising however is just how small the official Japan Sumo Association one is. Tucked away inside Ryogoku Kokugikan the museum consists of a ...
Sumo Aug 2, 2016
Japan Sumo Association announces farewell ceremony for late legend Chiyonofuji
A farewell ceremony for sumo great Chiyonofuji, who died Sunday, will take place Oct. 1 at the entrance area of Ryogoku Kokugikan, Japan Sumo Association public relations chief Kasugano said Tuesday. The event will be organized by the Kokonoe Stable Supporters' Organization, according to Kasugano, ...