Re: [sumo] Aki Basho Day 11

["Josh Reyer" <reyer@benchsumo.zzn.com>]

> For anyone in Tokyo who might be able to tell me.
> I expect to be in Tokyo on September  17, which should be Day 11 if 
> I'm reading my calendar correctly. What are the chances that I can 
> walk up to the Kokugikan about noon or 1pm and get a cheap seat (or 
> any priced ticket for that matter)?

Your chances are almost 100%.  There will probably be no A-class 
balcony seats, but you are almost certain to be able to get B-class 
or C-class seats.

Regarding Greg's comments regarding the state of sumo in Japan, 
unfortunately I can only add that it's been that way as far back as 
1998.  In fact, my first post to this list that year was about sumo's 
popularity.  I also don't think its *entirely* due to foreigners in 
the ranks, but I think that gets enough play in the media that 
someone who doesn't follow sumo may very well get the impression that 
there are no good Japanese wrestlers.  But the causes for the drop in 
popularity are varied.  Among them: a general slump for all sports 
(both NPB and J-League have been worried about the state of their 
sports) probably due to the slumping economy; the fact that Makuuchi 
bouts take place while everyone is at work or commuting home, making 
it difficult for many to watch it on TV, let alone attend; a general 
reluctance of the Kyokai to proactively market its sport or its 
athletes (something I think they are rectifying recently); and a 
natural ebb and flow of sumo popularity.  Sumo has hit these rough 
spots before, and I think the sustained popularity of the Chiyonofuji-
era flowing very quickly into the popularity of the Waka-Taka boom 
has somewhat artificially raised the standard of what is "normal" 
popularity for sumo.  Also, frankly I think the chaya system really 
handicaps sumo's attendance during a recession.

Josh Reyer

If a first you don't know what to do... henka
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[EndPost by "Josh Reyer" <reyer@benchsumo.zzn.com>]