When you think of sumo training, you probably think of large men eating lots of food and wrestling each other. You should also think of large men sitting in a classroom and learning stuff.
The Sumo Training School is located at the Ryogoku Kokugikan sumo stadium in Tokyo. New sumo apprentices must enrol, and as webiste Ozumou explains, the six-month curriculum has two parts: sumo training and sumo education.
In the training portion, sumo apprentices learn the basic moves as well as how to behave while wrestling (customs and manners). The classroom section takes place in, wait for it, a classroom.
According to Ozumou, it is divided into six sections: Japanese calligraphy, traditional singing, sports medicine, biology, social studies, and the history of sumo.
[Photo: keio_aikatsu via sumokyokai]
[Photo: kyo_panko via sumokyokai]
[Photo: logsoku]
[Photo: escodaiichi via sumokyokai]
[Photo: ikdn77matsu via sumokyokai]
[Photo: akikatto via sumokyokai]
[Photo: sumokyokai]
[Photo: sumokyokai]
The classes last about two hours each morning, with lessons taught by college professors and other experts. While there are no exams, Ozumou points out, attendance is most important.
If you like these sumo pics, check out Sumo Kyokai's Twitter page (@sumokyokai) for more.
SUMO TRAINING SCHOOL [Ozumou.com]
Top photo: naniwatombo via sumokyokai
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