Re: [sumo] How to watch asageiko ?

[Doreen Simmons <jz8d-smmn@asahi-net.or.jp>]

Hello Thierry,

Sorry for the delay in a detailed answer.  I actually wrote it immediately, 
but my software suddenly quit on me, and the whole thing was lost, and 
since then I have had little time to spare at my home computer.

> I surely want to see some asageiko during my trip in
> Tokyo. I guess I have to phone ahead (in japanese) to be sure the stable
> will be open to visitors the day I want to visit.

That's a good idea. In Japanese, of course.

Is  there a perfect time to get in without disturbing the rikishi ?

You should be there  at 8:00, unless told otherwise. At that time the 
makushita are normally training and the sekitori arrive and start their 
warm-up exercises. The sekitori normally begin their training at nine, but 
it's not very polite to turn up then -- in any case, the makushita bouts 
are very interesting.

> Should I bring something like a present with me in order not to
> offend people ?

No, as an international visitor this is not necessary. Just sit where you 
are told and KEEP QUIET! The only etiquette to remember is that you are 
being permitted to observe a serious working day -- it is not an 
entertainment put on for the benefit of visitors. It is also useful to know 
that during the basho itself there is little training, just a morning 
warm-up, and some heya do not like to have visitors because it might give a 
false impression of the seriousness of the keiko.

> But what do people usually
> do in asageiko ?

Get onto one of the excellent FAQs provided by members of this list. Look 
up in particular moshiai-geiko, sanban-geiko, and butsukari-geiko (also 
monde morau).

> One last question : Since the merging of Wakamatsu-beya and Takasago-beya,
> is the "new" Takasago-beya is around Asakusa subway station (former
> Takasago-beya place) or around Ryogoku station (former Wakamatsu-beya place)
> or somewhere else ?


As you have already been told, the former Wakamatsu-beya is in the same 
building, just the kanban (sign outside) is changed. And it's quite a way 
north of Ryogoku -- about fifteen minutes on my bicycle.

Happy sumo watching!



~Doreen Simmons
     <jz8d-smmn@asahi-net.or.jp>~
[EndPost by Doreen Simmons <jz8d-smmn@asahi-net.or.jp>]