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I am living in sumo and shitamachi heaven. |
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Ryogoku
Modern sumo, traditional shitamachi life, what's not to like? |
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Tokyo Life |
 The view from window has certainly changed for the better! To the west from my corner apartment in Ryogoku, this humble little lane forms the "backyard" of the local Oshima-beya, where I can observe the informal side of sumo. What do young sumo dudes do after a heavy morning workout? Hang out and shoot the breeze, of course." |
My apartment view to the south looks over a slice of alleyway onto "Basha" or "Horse Carriage" street, which was once a road between Edo and Chiba, to the east. I overlook a lovely tile roof where a family still lives, and the children's sports store. Street life abounds. |
Looking down just across from the old tiled roof house, the local Ezaki beauty shop keeps a congenial eye on the neighborhood. The family lives upstairs, and I shall try to photograph their calico cat, who suns herself in the window. |
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Kameido shrine, just two stations down the Sobu line from Ryogoku. In early May, it features astonishing displays of heavenly scented wisteria draping down towards a thousand camera shutters. Rebuilt several times, and captured by Hiroshige in a classic print quite close to this view. |
Why does the chicken cross the road? To get to the delicious cherry blossom petals falling into the road. Fancy chickens free range in Ryogoku at a certain corner near the canals. Fresh food falling from the skies! |
My first sumo basho as a Ryogoku resident provided plenty of dashingly yukata draped practioners and crew making their way between center ring and home sweet dojo. |
A detail of the back obi knot arrangement. |
Center ring at the Spring Hatsu Basho. Day Three. My keitai photo. Sumo is completely different when viewed away from the contraints of a monitor screen. |
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Near my new home there is a small neighborhood coffee shop with this view of the canal and traditional river party boat. |
Japlish in Ryogoku
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The Ryogoku train platform is a mercifully straightforward affair, sporting several vending machines. The oldest one tucked behind the staircase sports this incredulous promise. |
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