Origins of Sumo dates back to 2000 years ago but didn't start becoming a sport till the early 1600's. The sport Sumo Wrestling has strict rules and traditions. They spend more time performing ceremonies in Shinto tradition instead of grappling. Shinto is the native religion of Japan. The Shinto religion isn't a system of beliefs but the Shinto religion is more of rituals and ceremonies. Each day of a Sumo tournament a ring ceremony is held. Japanese Sumo wrestlers believe that their body and soul is purified. Sumo's consist of six major tournaments a year called hon-basho. In January the tournament is held in Tokyo, In March the tournament is held in Osaka, In May the tournament is held in Tokyo again, In July the tournament is held in Nagoya, In September the tournament is held in Tokyo, and in November the tournament is held in Fukuoka.
Intresting Facts about Sumo Wrestling:
The highest rank in Sumo Wrestling is Yokozuna.
Sumo wrestlers diet is to gain weight but still eating semi healthy to get all their nutrients they need.
Sumo Wrestlers training is torturous, non stop strength training.
Japan has four major islands; Hokkaido, Honshu, Kyushu, and Shikoku. Honshu is the largest island at 810 miles.
Mount Fuji is the most mentioned mountain in Japan because it is the highest mountain in Japan. Mount Fuji is located on the Honshu island. Facts about Mount Fuji:
Mount Fuji overlies several older volcanoes.
last erupted in 1707 and continued till 1708.
considered 1 of the 3 holy mountains, other 2 mountains are Mount Tate and Mount Haku.
you can climb Mount Fuji, climbing season is from July-August.
first person to climb this mountain was a monk in year 663.
Mount Fuji has a symmetrical shape, which is unusual for a mountain and especially a volcano.
there are 5 lakes surrounding the mountain; Lake Motosuko, Lake Kawaguchiko, Lake Shojiko. Lake Yamanakako, and Lake Saiko.
Geisha's are entertainers that are trained in art, music, and dancing. Becoming a Geisha is a huge deal for girls, it's an honor. Full fledged Geisha is called Geiko, and when you start training before your 21 it's called Maiko (child dancer). Geisha's wear kimonos with a sash tied in the back. Some girls were sold to Geisha houses to become a Geisha or if you are a daughter of a Geisha than you are most likely to become a Geisha. First stage of training for Geisha's is called Shikomi, which is where the girls becomes maid and have to do everything they are told to do. They would also be attending the Hanamachi Geisha School. Second stage of training is called Minarai, their training would be in the field. Minarai's are suppose to be seen not to be heard. The Minarai's form of dress is designed to speak for the Minarai's. A Minarai teams up with an older sister and folows her to events to observe to learn the art of conversation. Third Stage is called Maiko, this stage could last years. An older sister teaches the Maiko how to be a true Geisha. The Maiko would have to pick a more professional name and would have to perfect the way they do their hair and makeup. After her older sister feels like she is ready, the Maiko becomes a full fledged Geisha.
SUSHI- sushi is a small piece of mostly raw seafood (not always raw) placed on a ball of vinegared rice with other ingredients.
SUSHI
SUKIYAKI- thinly sliced beef with vegetables.
TEMPURA- food deepfried in olive oil after being coated with egg, water, and wheat flour.
SASHIMI
SASHIMI- sliced raw fish eaten with soy sauce.
KAISEKI RYORI- vegetables and fish with a seasoning base of seaweed and mushrooms.
YAKITORI- small chicken meat, liver, and vegetables, skewered on a bamboo stick and cooked over hot coals.
TONKATSU- deep fried pork in bread crumbs.
SHABU-SHABU- thin sliced of beef held with chopsticks and swished around in a pot of boiling water and dipped in sauce before eating it.
SOBA AND UDON- these are 2 kinds of japanese noodles. Soba is made from buckwheat flour and Udon is made from wheat flour. they are either served in broth or dipped in sauce.
Tea originated in China but later came to Japan. Tea was first used for medical purposes, It did not become common to regularly drink tea till the 1950's. In Japan they have tea ceremonies.
etiquette for a Japanese tea ceremony:
1 host/ hostess
4 guests (1 being the main guest)
guests have to be dressed in Kimonos or in formal western clothes
never show up late
should be silent through ceremony, communication should only happen through body language.
guests have to pay attention to the host
Utensils needed for a Japanese tea ceremony:
cushions/chairs
hot water
tea
tea bowls
cloth
whisk
tea spoon
Events in a Japanese tea ceremony:
Guests walk through the tea garden and clean their hands in a water basin.
guests approach the teahouse; before crawling through a small entrance, they take off their shoes; inside they sit down on cushions or chairs.
the host bows before entering the tea-room
host brings in utensils and places them around the hearth
host sits in front of the hearth, where water is heated
host rinses the bowl before powder and water can be mixed
host puts 3 spoons of powdered tea in bowl
host pours hot water over powder, and the mixture has to be stirred until it becomes frothy
Tea is first served to the main guest
main guest bows to fellow guests to apologize for being the first to drink
main guest takes the bowl
proper way of holding the tea bowl is to put it on the palm of let hand and protect it with right hand
main guest drinks and the empty bowl is returned to the host
host wipes the bowl with the linen cloth and prepares tea for other guests
some teas have been found to help with cancer, heart disease, and diabetes. Tea also appears to have antimicrobial qualities in it. The different kinds of teas are Green tea, white tea, and black tea. White tea is unfermented and study shows that unfermented tea's help more with cancer. Black tea is made with fermented tea leaves, black tea's reduce the risk of a stroke and help damaged lungs due to smoking. Green tea is made with steamed tea leaves, green tea helps with clogging of the arteries and burns fat.
