Let the fight begin

Sweat, Sumo and Stew

---

May 17th 2005
The sumo seasons come around quickly in Japan, and Spring is one of the times to catch these salt throwing giants in all their glory. I set off to the Tokyo sumo stables early one Spring morning, hoping to get a cheap seat and work my way up to the front. Luckily, all went to plan. It helps when you're a little gaigin (foreigner), alone amongst a sea of Japanese - pleading ignorance becomes so ... read more

Asia » Japan » Tokyo

---

In 1603, a Tokugawa shogunate (military dictatorship) ushered in a long period of isolation from foreign influence in order to secure its power. For 250 years this policy enabled Japan to enjoy stability and a flowering of its indigenous culture. Fol... ... read more