Hooligans to the left of me...

["Ken Crouch" <ken.crouch@att.net>]

Kintaro and Obana had great visit to Tokyo during week 2 of the Natsu basho.
It is interesting to watch the intensity build through to Senshuraku.  In
the lower divisions the lads are going all out as they work for their
kachi-koshi.  Those yoritaoshi slams really look painful when you're sitting
near the dohyo.  Of course the World Cup brought an extra influx of
visitors.  Many showed up at the Kokugikan... and yes, there were many
football hooligans...  shudder...  yup...  Don't they know that football is
a children's game, not a real sport?

In addition to watching sumo, your intrepid reporter searched for woodblock
prints (ukiyo-e) for the heya.  We visited many shops in Jimbocho and other
parts of Tokyo, and we found some nice prints.  The Woodstock-beya will soon
be adorned with many new prints including a 200 year old print of Kintaro
fighting a bear.  (I know, you didn't think I was that old.)

... Just for the record...  Kintaro will miss the Michelin Man if he falls
below Juryo.  Minatofuji has been a fixture in Sumo for some time...  gotta
love that Stay Puff Marshmallow Man...

Kintaro's Musings should be back for the Nagoya Basho.

Kintaro!
Woodstock-beya
http://home.att.net/~ken.crouch/