Close encounter with Sumo! 我和相撲手有個約會

Finally we got to see SUMO! Although not the actual contest, but it felt just as good to see them practice in their sumo stables within such close proximity!
Photo: With current Sekiwaki (Sumo 3rd rank) Aminishiki, 33 years old.

我的獎學金集團終於安排我們去看相撲了！雖然不是看真正的比賽，但是可以近距離看相撲手練習也是很精彩的！
照片：和很累的現關協（相撲界第3頭銜）安美錦33歲合照。

We reached a sumo stable called Isegahama Beya to see the wrestlers practice in the morning. There was a pungent smell of powder and slight humidity in the air once we entered the house. The practice room was not big and was located right in front of the main entrance. The ring that you see in sumo tournaments was also installed at the center of the room. Wrestlers were either challenging each other inside the ring or observing matches. Some were also practicing by themselves: walking to and fro using the side of their feet, beating a wooden pillar or lifting dumbbells. I noticed that everyone had some small bandages around their toes, ankles or fingers.

我們早上就到一間叫伊勢ヶ濱部屋的相撲屋看選手們練習。一進門就有濃濃的香粉味道，空氣也有點潮溼。練習房並不大，就在玄關前面。中間有比賽的圈圈，選手們就在圈圈內輪流練習把對手抛出去。其他人不是在圈外看，就是在自己練習（用腳側面反覆走來走去，用手打木棍，或提啞鈴）。大家都好像多多少少有點小傷，腳趾或手指會綁著膠帶。

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The first one to be "trashed" was the newest and youngest apprentice. We thought he would die because he was panting so hard and trying to get back to his feet after relentless challenges from his seniors. When he was too late or had an error, he was punished. Guess what, he is only 17! Yet, he kept on saying yes to the orders and persevered his training. Such sportsmanship is remarkable and we were very impressed.

首先被“修理”的是最年輕的新手，只有17歲！前輩都對他毫不心軟，不給他喘氣的機會，命令他一直進去圈圈和其他師兄挑戰！技術不好時還被懲罰。很多時候都喘不過氣了！我們看的人都很擔心會不會就這樣鬧出人命！？他被這樣折磨都毫不怨言，一直遵命，不停地接受訓練！這種精神，看不出是17歲的年輕人所能承受的。真的很佩服選手的精神！

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When the juniors finish their training, they slowly retreat to prepare everyone's lunch. Despite what's left are the seniors in white belt challenging each other, there were dedicated juniors serving each senior, like to get water and use towels to wipe off their dirt from the body.
練了差不多之後，就輪到師兄門練習。低位的相撲手都陸陸續續離開去準備午餐。練習房就剩下高位的（穿白色帶子）和一些中位的相撲手練習。最後上位選手互相練習時，一定有專門為他們服侍的弟子在旁服侍，為他們拿水和擦泥巴。

The final wrestler that got his practice was the top rank wrestler of the stable, current Oozeki (Sumo top 2nd rank) Harumafuji. To end their training session, they did some exercises and performed a short ritual to thank the gods for their blessings.
最後練習的是最上位選手，現大關（相撲界第二頭銜）白馬富士。他和其他高位選手練習完之後，會作一下體操和小儀式來感謝練習平安結束。

This is proof that our lunch was prepared by these big guys!!!!
我們的午餐是未來偉大的職業相撲手準備的！！！！！！！

While eating, some juniors stood by the side to see if we needed another serving of rice or their famous hotpot dish. We felt uneasy to be served like this.
我們吃飯時，年輕的相撲手也一直站在一旁問我們要不要加飯或加火鍋湯... 被這樣服侍真不習慣！

The famous dish for sumo wrestlers is this special hotpot dish called Chanko Nabe, cooked in a huge pot filled with nutritious ingredients.
這是叫Chanko Nabe的火鍋料理。基本上是為選手準備的一大鍋營養火鍋。

Hehe, another shot with Aminishiki pro sumo wrestler!
呵呵，又可以和職業相撲手合照了XD

When we left, they gave us some souvenirs: their autographs and a nice blue plate. It was so thoughtful of them :) Overall, this was the best cultural program that my scholarship organization arranged after 2 years in Japan. Hopefully we can do sumo again next year, hehe... but I think it will be unlikely.

離開時，他們還給了我們紀念品。真是招待親切啊！這次的日本文化體驗是我來日本2年後最喜歡的！希望明年可以再看相撲XDDD