My wife and I were in Japan in July 1972 when Takamiyama won his tournament. The time and place and weather conditions were perfect for his amazing achievement. I think around exactly the same time, we were in Matsue when Lake Shinji discharged a huge amount of water into the town and flooded it. All transportation was stopped, and we walked out of the city in waist high water. Never forget that July.
The huge silver trophy seems jarringly non Japanese... An imposition even! I'm sure my great ignorance of trophydom is showing, but aren't they a totally 'western born thing '?
Incredible piece. Sumo feels like a metaphor for Japan itself: reverent, ritualistic, and wrestling (literally) with modern identity.
Thanks for reading! And a great point about metaphor - wrestling indeed!
My wife and I were in Japan in July 1972 when Takamiyama won his tournament. The time and place and weather conditions were perfect for his amazing achievement. I think around exactly the same time, we were in Matsue when Lake Shinji discharged a huge amount of water into the town and flooded it. All transportation was stopped, and we walked out of the city in waist high water. Never forget that July.
Amazing! What a moment to be there for. Thanks for sharing.
The huge silver trophy seems jarringly non Japanese... An imposition even! I'm sure my great ignorance of trophydom is showing, but aren't they a totally 'western born thing '?
Superb piece in every way!
Thank you - glad you liked it!