Nagoya, Sumo, Tsushima, Tennoh Matsuri

July 21-23 Nagoya

 There are 6 Grand Sumo Tournaments a year. Each tournament is about 2 weeks.



 In the higher ranking, each rikishi has one match per day tournament.

 The pomp and circumstance usually lasts longer than the actual match.

 Sumo's origin is religious. It was a ceremonial ritual performed with dances and dramas for a bountiful harvest.

 In the 8th century it moved from the religious ritual into an era of a more aggressive sport.

 July 23-24 After Nagoya we took a train to Tsushima. Our hostess had arranged for us to join a matsuri (festival) weekend at the home of one of Japan's leading drum makers.

 Little did we know how much of a highlight of our trip we were about to experience!

As you make your way through the store front and exit to the back, you enter a lovely home space. Here is Spencer just outside the gathering/dining space.

This is the main socializing room. Brunch was served for 50 in this main room and down the hallways.

The main room opens to a beautiful garden.

A delightful place to sleep.



We were escorted to the bank for our spot on the water for Tennoh Matsuri. 

Here's our group for the weekend.



Our deck had a private boat that would take us out on the water throughout the evening.

Spencer and Hannah made a friend and loved going out on the boat with him. 

 Our 2nd boat ride seemed indulgent. The "captain" took us out on the water and put us right up to the fireworks. Matt hung back and let the women and children have the boat. Little did we realize that we would be gone for 90 minutes and experience the festival up close. (I left the camera with him.)

 The floats have hundreds of candle lit lanterns, hanging by bamboo. They were gorgeous.

 Sunday morning, we return to the water for the rite of passage of young boys becoming men. They have to jump from the boat and swim to shore, wearing their loincloth and carrying bamboo poles with cloth.

When we returned to the home, the Hotta's had a few drums set-up and the musical director of a current Japanese film played (along with a few others).

The brothers entertained us during lunch. This was part of their fun piece.