Beya visits

["Ivar Petersen" <ivar@morgan.com>]

Yesterday 14 of my collaegues, my son and myself went to Azumaseki beya at
7.15am to watch asageiko and to have lunch with the big one himself.

Unfortunately Akebono was visiting another beya for practice but it was very
interesting to watch his stablemates practice and he did join them for a few
minutes laughing and joking with the more senior of them.

During practice a particular young prospect was not performing to the standard
required by the senior coaching him and he was forced to repeatedly having to
get up and fight.  After any particular meager effort the senior would
disgustedly push him down or out to the side very hard, some times so hard he
would hit the wall or the mirror along the practice area.  The fact this young
guy was able to stand up at all after 20 minutes is a display of stamina alone!
Very interesting though not for the faint hearted. After "combat trainining"
everyone engaged in special exercises and displayed just how agile and fit they
really are.  Anyone claiming/thinking that these are just "fat slobs" should go
watch practice!

Akebone came back around 11 and joined us just as we were finishing
chanko-nabe. The azumaseki beya chanko nabe was very very good and very tasty.
 Mainly based on chicken that day it had me and most of my colleagues asking
for seconds and some for thirds!

I had the honour of presenting our gift to Akebono and we all had our photos
taken with him.  He looked well but not seeing him practice I was not able to
form an opinion on his status prior to the basho.

Behavior from spectators is expected to be good.  Two from my party fell
asleep(!) and was told from a sinister looking oykatta that they could go
outside and sleep.  Some other spectators were laughing after a funny fall and
was told "warawanai desu" (don't laugh).

All in all an experience I can reccommend anyone visiting Tokyo. It's very easy
and if you don't come in a big group you do not need to book, several people
(among them 3 schoolgirls cutting cram-school!) walked in straight off the
street.

If you are coming to Tokyo and would like addresses or instructions on how to
get to the various beyas send me a mail.
--

	-Ivar-