Brothers in Sumo –
part one
Brian Lewin
Brothers no longer active on the dohyo come under the SFM microscope

NHK & the Ozumo
English Broadcast
Mark Buckton
A visit to NHK, years of watching the show and the opinions of our Ed-in-Chief

Hanging With the Rikishi
Barbara Ann Klein
Barbara Ann Klein recounts her experiences with the “boys” in a pictorial diary series

Rikishi of Old
Joe Kuroda
A look at a rikishi of yesteryear with Chiyonoyama – our man for December

Sumo Exhibit at the
Edo-Tokyo Museum
Barbara Ann Klein
SFM’s Editor takes in the exhibit celebrating 80 years of the Japan Sumo Association at this famous Tokyo museum

Heya Peek
John Gunning
John’s early morning trip to Hakkaku – a visit that almost didn’t happen

SFM Interview
Dave Wiggins sits down
with SFM’s Mark Buckton to discuss the broadcast scene – and maple syrup

Photo Bonanza
What a collection – All-Japan Sumo Tournament, Hakkaku-
beya visit and sumo exhibits at the Edo-Tokyo Museum

Kyushu Basho Review
Lon Howard
Lon gives us his Kyushu Basho summary, along with the henka sightings results, and his take on the year in brief

Lower Division Rikishi
Mikko Mattila
Mikko Mattila covers lower division ups and downs

Hatsu Basho Forecast
Pierre Wohlleben & Mark
Buckton
Pierre predicts the Hatsu Basho banzuke while Mark previews the ones to watch for in January

Sumo 101
Eric Blair
Eric explains all you need to know and then some about the Kokugikan building – the mecca of sumo

Kimarite Focus
Mikko Mattila
Mikko walks us through his chosen kimarite in expert fashion

Minusha
John McTague
John’s unique bimonthly view of news from outside the dohyo

Online Gaming
Eric Blair
For the lowdown on Guess the Kotomitsuki – baby of SFM’s John Gunning

Kokugi Connections
Todd Lambert
Todd’s bimonthly focus on 3 of the most interesting sumo sites today

Fan Debate
Intra heya bouts –
OK or not? See what our debaters had to say

SFM Cartoons
Stephen Thompson
In the second of our cartoon bonanzas, sit back and enjoy ST’s offerings

Let’s Hear From You
What was it that made you a sumo fan? American Todd Defoe tells all

Readers’ Letters
See what SFM readers had to say since our last issue

Sumo Quiz
The Quizmaster
Answer the Qs and win yourself next basho’s banzuke.

  limited.) When bimbling around, in the direction of the section of corridor to the immediate right as you enter from the entrance hall, it is certainly possible – common even – to see rikishi of varying ranks walking in and out or even meeting up with family after they come up from the shitakubeya via stairways off to the side of the corridor. In the early afternoon, large numbers of fans out for a close-up glimpse of their higher-ranked favorite line up here, cameras at the ready, and wait for them to arrive – but be in the area early to grab a decent spot from which to point the camera if this is for you.

Continuing ’round the corridor, immediately to the rear of the building but still connected architecturally, will be noticed the Sumo School and practice dohyo area to the rear – if entered. Accessed via steep stairs, it is also the facility turned into a makeshift restaurant during honbasho, as bowls of chanko can be purchased for 200 yen a pop. Nothing special in and of itself, the pictures of oyakata on the wall of the classroom can be interesting for longer-term fans – especially as all the pictures seem rather dated.

A full rotation almost completed, numerous shops
Practice dohyo area to the rear of the Sumo School
passed and frequent glimpses down into the arena through many open doors, and you will arrive at the “chaya street” – down which the ‘owners’ of the arena seats in times of old, prepared the food and beverages with which to serve their day’s customers. Always a bustling part of the Kokugikan, stand back for a moment and take in the sights and sounds – the smells even – come the afternoon as they reach their zeniths of operations.

Full walkabout all but behind you, a quick venture back into the main entrance hall and a look over towards the escalator taking fans up to the west side of the arena (marked with a 西, will bring into sight a rather unassuming door – the door to 		the Sumo Museum. More than worth a visit, the small museum facility – just one room – rotates displays every two months, but always has something of interest to behold even if Japanese isn’t your tongue. Pictures of former greats, antiques related to sumo from bygone eras in Japanese history and even severed mage can all be seen – although it does depend on the theme in place when you visit. Got a question? – ask the staff. Not perfect English speakers, they will try and are always more than friendly to obvious first-timers. Sadly no pics are allowed, but some things stay in the mind’s eye and will not be forgotten soon. (NB: any photos taken

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