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(★)(´AM-0121´es mismo libro.)(RIKISHI means ´strong man´, and there is no more succinct description of the athletes of Japan´s national sport, sumo. These enormous fellows may weigh up to five hundred pounds and stand over six feet five inches, but success in the sumo world is measured more by technique and strength of will, of character, and of commitment to the age-old traditions of the sport as well as physical brawn. The spectacle, color, and excitement of the sumo tournaments are a must-see for the tourist in Japan, and in recent years sumo has begun to travel abroad to Europe and the United States with more frequency, to the delight of its foreign fans. But behind the crashing of giants in the ring, exciting as it is, is another story : hard-working men who dedicate their every waking --and sleeping!-- moment to an ancient sport and a traditional way of life and code of behavior. This is the fascinating story told in ´Rikishi, the Men of Sumo´. The unique world of sumo is vividly documented here in 135 striking monochrome and 13 color photographs. We see their grueling early morning training session, followed by chores, and then the mid-morning meal : enormous tubs of the rich and nutritious stewlike dish called ´chanko nabe´. We are invited to the private rituals of the stable, including twisting the huge white rope that the ´yokozuna´, or grand champion, wraps around his girth. We are treated to a look behind the scenes at tournament time to observe the tension, the jostling, the joking, and the last-minute preparations for those crucial moments in the ring during which a career can be decided. We follow the rikishi on their provincial touring circuit and see them grappling under open skies,´camping out´ in country temples, and in warm contact with their rural fans. We get a glimpse of them in their double role as private and public figures : relaxing with music in their own rooms or appearing as guests on TV variety shows, grabbing a bite at a hamburger stand or making an appearance at a public banquet. We are privileged to observe the last moments of the rikishi´s career, as his ceremonial topknot is cut off and he retires from the ring. An introductory essay follows a day in a rikishi´s life and provides an insider´s view of the sumo world and the champions who populate it. A glossary of sumo terms, a summary of rankings, and a guide to where and when to see tournaments will help the budding sumo fan get a first grip on the intricacies of the sport. Recipes for chanko nabe (and suggested restaurants in Tokyo) offer a real taste of the sumo life. Turning the pages of ´Rikishi, the Men of Sumo´, one is struck by the realization that the rikishi, though a consummate athlete, is more than that : he is a symbolic presence in modern Japan, an eloquent image of its past. That image has been captured here in all of its many facets with dramatic immediacy and visual brilliance, making this collection of telling photographs unforgettable for fans of sumo and fine photography alike. ◆Joel Sackett is a documentary photographer based in Japan who graduated from the San Francisco Art Institute. His photographs are featured in ´Backstage at Bunraku : A Behind-the-Scenes Look at Japan´s Puppet Theatre´, by Barbara Adachi. Wes Benson is a writer and longtime Tokyo resident who has been an active participant in both the private and public worlds of sumo for nearly three decades.) |
BASE de DATOS, Biblioteca del Centro Cultural de la Embajada de Japon
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