A day at the Sumo

Last week Monday we attended the sumo tournament at the Kokugikan, the sumo arena in Tokyo. It was the 9th day of the two-week tournament held each year in September.
The Kokugikan arena around noon. The bouts start from 9am, but most of the crowd arrives at 2:30pm when the professionals take the stage.

Referees are barefoot during the lower-ranked bouts.

The ritual foot stomping is said to increase strength and squash bad spirits.

The initial lunge.

One of the few short ceremonies held before the top ranking wrestlers start their bouts.

Companies that sponsor the prize money for this bout are allowed to advertise on these banners before the bout starts.

Many bouts are over in a matter of seconds, but in this one the two wrestlers were locked in a battle that seemed to last for minutes.

The final bout of the day followed by the "bow dance" closing ceremony.