What Will Become of the Dynasty?
Brian Lewin
The Hanada Dynasty – past or present?
Rikishi of Old
Joe Kuroda
A look at a rikishi of yesteryear with Tenryu our man for August.
Heya Peek
John Gunning
John attends a chanko session at Chiganoura Beya.
Photo Bonanza
For a glimpse at some of the sights you won't see on TV.
July Basho Review
Lon Howard & John Gunning
Lon gives us his Nagoya Basho summary and his take on upset of the tournament while John chips in with his ‘gem’ of the basho.
Lower Division Rikishi
Mikko Mattila takes a break and Eric Blair covers the lower divisions in his own ‘unique’ way.
Aki Basho Forecast
Pierre Wohlleben & Mark Buckton
Pierre predicts the Aki Basho banzuke while Mark previews the ones to watch next time out.
Sumo 101
Barbara Ann Klein
Gyoji goings on and several things you never knew about the ones officiating.
Kimarite Focus
Mikko Mattila
Mikko walks us through his 2 chosen kimarite.
Minusha
John McTague
John's unique view of news from outside the dohyo.
Boletín de Sumo en Español
Eduardo de Paz Gútiez
An article on sumo’s very first fan mag – Boletin de Sumo en Espanol
Online Gaming
Jezz Sterling
Hear from the founder of Bench Sumo of one of sumo's most popular games.
Kokugi Connections
Todd Lambert
Todd’s focus on 3 of the most interesting online sumo sites today.
Fan Debate
Henka – good, bad or ugly? See what our debaters think.
Let’s Hear From You
What was it that made you a sumo fan – the Petros Zachos story.
Ngozi on the Road
Ngozi T. Robinson
NTR visits an amasumo event in the north-east U.S. and tells us what it was like.
Sumo Quiz
The Quizmaster
Answer the Qs and win yourself next basho's banzuke.
Kokugi Connections
by Todd Lambert
over to...
http://library.thinkquest.org/
29486/video.html
In The Hall Of The Mountain Kings
Have you ever imagined being a sumo wrestler? Ever wonder what it's like to live at a sumo stable, and dedicate yourself to sumo 24/7? One guy did more than just imagine, he tried it. OK, not as a lifestyle or career choice, but as a project towards completing his master’s degree. He spent several weeks experiencing the life of a new recruit – waking, training, eating, and sleeping at one of the 50-odd sumo stables – and lived to write about it. Read his blog entries, and learn about sumo from the perspective of a raw rookie. See his take on all the people and personalities who live at the heya, and some who drop by: the junior rikishi, the salaried sekitori, the stable-master, the gyoji and a host of other folks. There's pride and punishment, ceremonies and parties, mysterious visitors and the secret ingredients of great chanko nabe. Go on, check out all the drama at http://mountainkings.blogspot.
com/2004/12/airports.html
Home
Each issue of SFM, Todd Lambert – our man online – will bring you a review of 3 sumo related sites to be found on the World Wide Web. Featured in August are reviews of the Oyakata Gallery site, coverage of Sumo: More Than Just Fat Guys In Diapers and a look at In The Hall Of The Mountain Kings. Enjoy.
The Oyakata Gallery
When it comes to sumo, the rikishi hog the limelight. But what happens to a sumotori when his topknot is taken? Some move on to the world of business – the restaurant business, cooking up chanko for the customers. Others become talking heads on the TV. Then there’s the few, the strong, the proud. They become oyakata, members of an elite group who train the wrestlers, run the sumo association, and promote sumo to the average six-pack Suzuki-san out there. Who are these men, these sumo elders? What do they need to stay in the sumo world? How do they get it? Just what is “it”, and is “it” expensive? Can I see some mug shots? To this end I give you The Oyakata Gallery, the definitive guide to the old men of sumo.
http://oyakata.seisa.de/
Sumo: More Than Just Fat Guys In Diapers
With a name like that, how can you resist dropping by for a look? At first glance, this site seems rather typical of your average fan website. Some photos, a menu, information on all the basics – a sumo bout, the wrestlers, history, ranking, rules...blah blah blah. But, this site stands out in several ways. First, the layout and usability are superb. It’s very clear, logical, and a snap to navigate. The photos are of high quality, and clearly illustrate the text. Then there's the clincher, the real gem of this site: the videos. Over 20 classic bouts from the start of the television era in sumo. See some of the big names of the past, and find out why they were so popular. Get a little insight into the evolution of the sport. Run, don't walk,
