Sumo Comedy

by Chad G
(Asakusa, Tokyo)

Location: Yasukuni Shrine, Kudanshita, Tokyo

Date: April 25, 2008 (I think)

Event: Spring Festival (3 days)

The Story: Every year there is a 3 day Spring Festival at Yasukuni Shrine. The highlight, in my opinion, is the free sumo tournament that runs all day on the Friday. All the wrestlers attend and you get a chance to get pretty up-close and personal with them...they are big.

I was fortunate enough to have the Friday off that year and was able to head down and meet some sumo/beer aficionado friends of mine. They went really early to get a good seat.

About midway through the day there was a short break and two "sumo comedians" put on a hilarious show. At normal tournaments this isn't a common sight, but I have heard that these two are getting some more airtime nowadays as the sumo association tries to appeal to a wider audience.

Anyways, lots of laughs were had, the sumo was highly entertaining, and plenty of beer was consumed. The 2010 Spring Festival should run from April 21-23. See you there :)