Before each of the six annual sumo tournaments, a banzuke is released.
Banzuke – like the badly photographed one above – are ranking sheets that not only list all the wrestlers (around 600), but also all the staff connected with the sport. And as each tournament has a hand written original with a unique calligraphy style, they are practically works of art.
This type of banzuke has been around since 1757, and due to a rather tenuous link to the sumo world, I have acquired an extra one that I’m willing to post off to a Tokyo Times reader. If you are in any way interested, leave a comment below. The one that either amuses or interests me the most will receive the pictured banzuke, plus a photograph from the recent tournament if I can get my pictures developed in time.
futsukayoi says
that would look great in my dining room
by ‘dining room’ i mean that one single room in my apartment that also serves as a kitchen/bedroom/bathroom
and by ‘that would look great’ i mean that i could probably get alot of money for it on ebay
D. says
I have a friend who is an accountant/attorney for a fairly successful U.S. basketball player. At one point, the player was supposed to play in some kind of basketball match in Japan, but there was a problem. Turns out he had had what he was told were the Chinese characters (or could have been Japanese – I can’t remember) for “crazy motherfucker” tattoed on his arm. This may not have been an exact translation, but whatever it said, it wasn’t very nice, and he was made to wear something that covered the tattoo.
I would cherish the Banzuke forever, and never sell it on eBay. Unless I was really broke.
Rotch says
Traditional sumo pickup line:
Nice banzuke. Wanna fuck?
Rogers says
For more than one reason my location, Australia, is rather unfortunate. First of all, I fear that I’ve little chance of receiving the Banzuke as postage may come at some cost, of course, presuming there are readers within Japan. The other misfortunes born of my location are quite simply that I’m not currently in Japan, and although she’s temptingly close I’m yet to reach her shores, even though they are concrete.
I’ve had a boundless interest in Sumo ever since I was introduced to it some eleven years ago. I often wake up long before it’s light to see the NHK News, thanks to SBS we actually get that here, which of course does include some Sumo-related titbits towards the end.
Now we come to my readership. For a long time I’ve visited the Tokyo Times; I first found your site through a link on Fucked Gaijin. It was then located at the Lee Chapman address. I happily followed the site with much anticipation as it migrated to its current address. So, with or without the Banzuke, I should take this opportunity to thank you for providing all of the Japanese-centric bonne bouches that entertain us all.
I’m sorry for not hitting the humorous line, but the Banzuke would be truly cherished with and by me, and it is for this reason I felt it (humour) was not needed.
Wahn says
That would make a good view of my room’s blank, boring wall. I’ll probably get it framed. You’re going to sell it or just give it away? Name your price then (as long as it’s not over US$20).
Danny says
Banzuke,,, banzuke??!?!?!? I thought this was a Bukake site!
fuzzydave says
Seriously, I would cherish this forever, being a longtime sumo fan, but never having the money to visit japan to see an actual basho.
My silly reason for wanting the banzuke is so I can show it to my co-workers and tell them that these are the instructions to the DVR I just bought.
Lee says
Wahn: I’m giving it away as I have another one and I got them both for free.
And whilst I’m here I should add that there are no restrictions as far as location is concerned either. As long as there is an address I can post it to, that’s good enough for me. Wherever you may be.
billy says
…is this the most comments you have received for a post :^)..
…I’m really tempted to offer to swap for a box containing the phlegm of el hadji diouf…however, it appears that anyone who has been within spitting range of el hadji has been!!!…so his expectorant is fairly worthless :^)…
…how about sam allardyce’s moustache – I know the rumour was that he was only borrowing it from tom selleck and that it has been returned but in actual fact I have it due to having a friend who works in the bolton post office :^)…
…what about an original @sd@ lime green polo shirt :^)…
…and there again – as it appears there are people far, far more interested in acquiring the banzuke…could I just have a post explaining the tenuous link to the sumo please (note to self: wonders if lee spent so long eating pies he is actually a sumo wrestler :^) better not mention that :^) )…
Brett says
Bah! I’m only a few meals away from competitng in a sumo tournament and getting my own bazuke anyway.
D. says
I see there’s some fierce competition here. Well Lee, just to let you know that sumo wrestling is not completely unknown here in the U.S., I submit to you a link to a highly prestigious US newspaper called the Weekly World News. Here’s a quote to show you just how culturally sophisticated their writers are:
“Most of the time participants, known as “rikishi,” simply huff and puff around a sandy ring performing strange rituals like clapping their hands, throwing salt on the ground, walking in circles, raising their legs, and stomping their feet.”
http://www.weeklyworldnews.com/features/chamber/60283
Lee says
Thanks for the link D.
It’s nice to see that the journalist who wrote the piece really made an effort to understand the finer points of the sport….
Wahn says
So Lee, who will it be?
Michael says
Lee.
As a long time peruser of your Blog I would like make it known that if you send me the Banzuke I will always, and forever proclaim Lee to be one of my true Hero’s. I am a skydiver, and as is the custom of my subculture, any free article of clothing, or well, basically anything that is free is highly exalted and revered. I shall frame, and hang the Banzuke in a place of honor in my home, and every guest who inquires will be given a card with your blog address and a paragraph that exalts you as the most generous blogger on the planet!
Wahn says
isn’t that a little over the top, mike? I wont do that though. But what ill do is to get it frame and fill this blank wall im facing now.
Lee says
To be honest I’m pleasantly suprised to see such a positive response to my humble banzuke offer. It’s nice to know that I’m not alone in my love of sumo.
The only downside is it’s now far harder to choose who to send it to.
I’ll tell you what, give me until the middle of the coming week, as I may be able to get hold of another one. Making my decision slightly easier, and your chance of getting one slightly better.
Deal?
Wahn says
Absolutely
Maktaaq says
If you haven’t decided yet, me please, because I didn’t have the foresight to save those things when I lived in Japan.
David S. says
Lee,
It’s gorgeous.
This would look absolutely wonderful on one of my barren walls, and it would be nice to have something from Japan other than postcards, Pocky, and sumo reruns in sushi bars.
That, and I could practice reading the kanji if I tried really, really, REALLY HARD.
Thanks for your consideration.
PT says
We will wait patiently.
We know that, in your INFINITE wisdom, you will make the RIGHT choice.
Wahn says
Objection you honor, he’s clearly misleading the jury! (LOL)
PT says
Waiting expectantly,
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😉
Lee says
Well, here we go. The official announcement of the big banzuke give away.
The interest this generated really did surprise me, but unfortunately it made the job of choosing a winner much more difficult. So in an attempt to make the choice a bit easier, I whittled it down to a smaller group of finalists. Consisting of those who I felt wanted a banzuke the most.
And then in time honoured fashion, I wrote the names down on pieces of paper and picked out 2 winners.
So, with a big taiko drum roll, I’m pleased to announce that Wahn and Rogers are the lucky winners!!
I shall be in touch with the 2 of you over the weekend to get your postal addresses. Congratulations!
Apologies to those of you left disappointed. If I can get my hands on some extra banzuke in the future, I’ll be happy to do this all over again.
PT says
Well, congratulations to the winners!
As for us “losers”, the disappointment is real.
We look forward to participate to the next tournamnet though!
Ciao for nowfrom SoCal!
Wahn says
Wooohooo! I am eternally grateful! So how should we contact you?
Wahn says
I am eternally grateful. Thank YOU.
Rogers says
Thanks, Lee. I’m sure I left my e-mail in the details section when I first posted but if I didn’t just ask and I shall post it.
Guero Valenzuela says
It would look great with my thong!
Ed Russell says
I have been a sumo fan since 1972 when I was stationed at Tachikawa AB outside Tokyo. I have seen one tournament in person and the Basnzuke would round out my sumo collection of various pictures and memorabilia. I have a room set up in my basement that s finishd with all sorts of items about Japan..almost like a museum.