Sumo @ Ryogoku Kokugikan

Last Friday was vacation for me - and I headed out with Guchi-san to catch Sumo before it ends on 9/24 in Tokyo.

This is my first time watching a Sumo game, and live in Japan. I was surprised how much I liked it. It is in 100% contrast to watching a wrestling game.

I was lucky to be watching with Gucci-san who was explaning the rich range of throwing techniques, and how advantage in position can be gained quickly by grapping the まわし (mawashi) - the wrestler's loincloth.

I was also taught how to pronounce and recognise the various ranks of the Sumo! Yokozuna being the Grand Champion. Apparently in the Sumo sport, no one would complain about being slapped around by the stable master or senior-ranking wrestlers. Nobody every protested, no matter how much they were beaten.

I went at 2:00pm in the afternoon to catch the Juryo wrestlers. The ceremonial aprons they wear actually costs at least 2 million yen - and even more if they have diamonds, pearls and other precious gems!

They also threw salt around before each game as salt is believed to have purifying powers. It was a pity I didnt have my EOS Kiss with me. Above two pictures are taken with my mobile. But, if I am still in Tokyo in January, I would definitely catch another round, and this time aiming for the box seats!

Madonna's Confession concert @ Tokyo Dome - that was just 1/2 the size of the 1st floor. There are still 2nd, 3rd and 4th floor. She also performed in Osaka. No wonder so many artists would perform in Tokyo but not Singapore. This is the last stop of her 4- month long trip in America, Europe and Asia. Similar to Coldplay, they chose to end their concert tour in Tokyo!

YUKATA - COTTON KIMONO

Pictured above is during Matsuri festival in Summer, although Summer is somewhat over, what I really want to comment on is the yukata that is worn by both men and women. During the festive summer season it is not at all uncommon to see demure Japanese girls, or men walking around malls in their yukatas. Or best still, often wore to festive events - including the Hanabi, Sumo. Cant help but feel a huge sense of culture and gentleness...

Funny how Summer suddenly disappeared last week when the temperature started dropping to 20 degrees. Over the weekend on the streets, you always hear Samui (cold) and the word 'Autumn'. Autumn fashion was also on the street as girls started strolling in their boots. Last week in the office my male colleagues also dropped their summer polo T-shirt for long sleeve collared working shirts - looking much more formal now. Yet today, the temperature went up to summer 26 degrees again. Such unpredictability.

As I had four days of long weekend vacation, three days were spent monstrously socialising!
- Friday night dinner @ Shinjuku, followed by Izakaya (Japanese bar or resturant - popular for after-work drinking in Japan) with Singaporeans and Yumiko.
- Saturday - shopping & dinner @ Shibuya, followed by drinks @ Omotesando
-Sunday - Superman & dinner & ice-cream @ Roppongi Hills

Monday - I decided to spend time alone to myself, declining dinner invitation to Shibuya. Despite the busy days of socialising, cant help it, but when I am alone, I cannot stop reflecting on my journey. Guess thats what people do when they have isolated time - but at the same time it is so important - which I never had the opportunity to back in Singapore.

I began to reflect on what is truly of value in life, what gives meaning to our life, and how to set our priorities on the basis of that. Sounds easy? Try having a truely isolated day to yourself and figure it out. I'm still learning.

My First Embassy Dinner

Attended my 1st Embassy Dinner in Tokyo - it was hosted @ Westin Tokyo - which was a minute's walk from my office. When I reached the ballroom, I was shocked at the number of Singaporeans that are presently based in Tokyo. Mostly are in their middle age - 40's. Many of the women I spoke to are here because of their husbands. Some married Nihonjin.

The young bunch - mid 20s to early 30s stuck in a group right in the middle of the ballroom. We were entertained by an active and elderly Singaporean lady and her Japanese husband who kept taking photographs of us. He said that - anyone with spectacles and camera - you know he is a nihonjin.

Ready for Autumn...

Sept 8th marked the last of Summer in Tokyo. Luckily I ended it in Niijima island 新島.

The island was reputated to be a nampa island - meaning where guys go there to pick up girls. Hmm, even my boss said that high school girls go there and get pregnant - but I found none of it on the dynamic ocean.

The trip was enjoyable with a group of 7 guys (5 nihonjin; 2 shingapo-ru jin) and 4 girls (3 nihonjin; & watashi).

Best way to have an enriching overseas experience is definitely to spend more time with the locals.

My Surf Sensei & Buddies

Out of Tokyo, enjoy the last of Summer...

This was my first attempt on the beach since I started my assignment here on Feb 6th. Just when summer is about to end, my friends and I made a dash for the beach to try surfing.

MotosuXX beach (forgot the full name) which is a 2 hour + drive from Tokyo appears to be mainly for surfing. Many on the beach were well-equipped with their wet suits and surf boards. We - the Singaporean bunch were the only ones in unserious beachwear.

It is unlike those crowded beaches filled with babes and hunks trying to tan. The babes I saw on TV wore make-up and accessories to the beaches. Well, the guys were still kakoii (cool) as you could see in the pictures. They were kind trying to teach me how to surf in broken English and Japanese.

The other amazing aspect was almost everyone drove there and in their car boots all had water tanks with showerheads. At the end of the surf, they all showered behind their cars, whereas us the Singaporeans headed for the shower room paying 400 yen each. The water was also very warm @ the beach - good for spring/ autumn/ winter maybe - but not too ideal when your skin is already burnt from the sun.

DisneySea

Hey not that I am trying to act kawaii. But in Disneyland & DisneySea - > 50% of the population would be wearing those animated headbands to "get into the mood" - probably an escapism from the stressful and perfectionistic society?

Thats why one word you will never miss if you come to Japan is "Kawaii". Teenagers seem to use it in every sentence for anything cute or appealing. I hear that almost anytime in shops, or anywhere in people's conversation. Even at Hakone, I remember an elderly lady correcting my Japanese when I wanted to say a craft was kileii (beautiful) - she said I should use Kawaii.

Whats up
Well, its 10 days outdated. Many social activities have been happening. After the Hanabi, came the Matsuri held @ Azabu-Juban. With a group of Singaporeans, Japanese and a German guy, we explored the famous summer festival from noon to 4pm.

We walked the streets lined with good Japanese food, from takoyaki (size bigger than in Singapore - the octopus sticks out of the tako balls), to teriyaki, to Hokkaido potatos with melted butter..hmm hmm.... and all had an Asahi in their hands ;)

We also played games (sounds like basa malam huh) - scoping live baby tortises with waffles biscuit from a pool of water into the bowl without the thin biscuit breaking -- incredibly impossible, but the stallowner never fails in his demonstration (?!!).

We ended the matsuri walk @ Roponggi Hills Residence - one of my Singaporean friend's apartment. RP Hills Residence - one of Tokyo's luxurious and expensive residential apartments - I would say it is similar to high-end condominiums in Orchard Road, Singapore. At the apartment - we continued drinking more Asahi....