For international Sumo fans, it’s a long wait between the end of the Nagoya basho and the September basho in Tokyo. but in the 2 months between tournaments, for those in Japan, Sumo goes on tour! Referred to as Jungyo (巡業 – Literally, to “make the rounds”), each day consists of exhibition matches, training sessions demonstrating how Sumotori work out, and sessions where local children square off against Rikishi for fun and entertainment.
The schedule includes a slapstick Sumo bout called “Shokkiri” (しょっきり), which seems to be straight out of the 3 Stooges in places.
These tours in between tournaments helps raise public awareness of Sumo and build the audience for the sport. It appears to be working, as the popularity of Sumo has risen in Japan during the past few years.
When I was in Tokyo recently, a sumo fan I follow with the Twitter handle @sfukgast shared some pictures from a great book on sumo. I went and bought it and it has a whole section on Jungyo. There really is a wealth of information in the book – from the dohyo to gyoji to the jungyo schedules and seating in each of the hon basho stadiums. Crucially, it has the jungyo calendar and daily schedule telling what happens, when, from 8 in the morning to 3 in the afternoon. I was hoping I could post a picture of the cover down here in the comments but it doesn’t seem I can. I’ll try to post about the book soon.
Wow, I would really love to know about that book. As someone who was exposed to Sumo only peripherally while in Japan 30 years ago, I am eagerly trying to learn as much as possible. The great news is that in the internet age the resources are amazing, and a person is free to vacuum up as much as you can find. So please do post the ISBN / Title when you can, I would love to dig it up on Amazon.
[sorry for resurrecting an old post]
Has anyone been to a Jungyo event and can tell me what it’s like (timings, crowds, atmosphere, how to get tickets, etc), please?
Our trips to Japan have never coincided with a basho, but – from looking at the 2017 Jungyo dates – it may well be that our 2018 trip will coincide with the Spring Tour.
Our travel plans aren’t fixed, and we could easily plan them around a day of the Jungyo if it’s likely to be fun and if tickets are easy to come by.
Thanks in advance for any help anyone can offer.
Simon, I’m going to one next week. Will report back when I return with notes and pictures!
Fantastic! Thanks a lot.