"Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass...
it's about learning to dance in the rain."
- Vivian Greene
"I don't think we conquered Everest, I think the mountain relented."
"It's not the mountain we conquer, but ourselves."
"...even the mediocre can have adventures and even the fearful can achieve."
- Sir Edmund Hillary
"The only trips I regret are the ones I never took"
- Paddy Pallin
「山に対して優勝することじゃなくて、自分自身のことに対して優勝することだ。」
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On with the 'happi''Happi' coats were originally worn by Japanese shop keepers, with the family crest on the back. Now they are widely used at festivals. The kanji (Japanese character) on the back means 'festival'. Tasuki (the red strap around the shoulders) are used to keep the sleeves out of the way.
Mikoshi paradeThe mikoshi parade went from the school to a local shrine, via a few neighbourhood 'stops' where people had gathered. At each place the mikoshi were taken on a few laps at jogging pace.
Sumo ArenaBefore a sumo bout the rikishi (fighters) lift their legs high in the air and stomp them down, to scare away any demons. They also throw several handfuls of salt into the ring, which is said to purify the ring. Many rikishi will also sprinkle salt around their bodies as a means of protecting them from injury.
A sumo match is won when any part of an opponent's body other than the bottoms of the feet touche the dohyo or when they are pushed or thrown outside of the ring.
Sumo SandpitAs part of proceedings, local kindergarten representatives were assigned the task of flattening the mound before the sumo began.
