RE: [sumo] Kokugikan Today

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

At 6:39 AM +0000 04.4.3, ozora ozora wrote:
> Sorry I did not ask or see any sign indicating that they were.  I think 
> the box office is open early today, the first day of ticket sales.  I have 
> been for tickets when the chaya lane is open and a couple vendors are 
> selling sumo goods, but that was the first time I saw them selling 
> chakonabe.

The chanko-nabe being served in the entrance hall is not directly connected 
with the Kyokai, but is part of a much larger festival that is also taking 
place on the 3rd floor plaza at the Oedo Tokyo Museum, the big geta-shaped 
building behind the Kokugikan. Instead of going to the ground floor 
entrance or up the big escalator, take the sloping walkway to the right.

There are rows of stalls, mainly local clothing shops but also a big potted 
plant stall, a tortoiseshell shop, a few "antique" shops, and an ethnic 
corner with stalls selling Russian, North African, African, Taiwanese, and 
Thai cuisine at about 500 yen a pop.  Kirishima also has a large stall, 
more like a small dance floor, selling  (you guessed it!) chanko-nabe, 
barbecued chicken wings, beer and a couple of other drinks. Kirishima 
himself (aka Michinoku oyakata) was there in person, though he had staff 
cooking, serving or standing outside trying to drum up custom. As it was 
three in the afternoon there weren't an awful lot of customers for a meal, 
but I said Hello, had a brief chat, bought a drink, and got a friendly nod 
from his restaurant manager as well. His wife came along to see how things 
were doing but soon took shelter in the indoor sitting place.

The festival seems to be part of the centenary celebrations of Ryogoku 
station. It's on till next weekend, but not always the same events. For 
sure the same things are on tomorrow (Sunday) but I don't know if you can 
get sumo tickets as well. (Since there was a lot of spin-off custom today, 
it's quite possible they'll open the box office, but as I say, I just don't 
know.)

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