Sports

Japanese boat racing (kyotei) certainly doesn’t have the same image as its bigger and much more respectable relative, horse racing, as there are no fancy hats or royal connections down by the river. No families either. Just boats and lots of betting.

A sport that unashamedly boasts a collar as blue as the water, or at least boat number 4.

And, perhaps due to its lack of airs and graces, and much more functional rather than fancy facilities, it is one of the friendliest and most welcoming places I have ever had the pleasure to visit in Tokyo.

Of course that said, when it came to figuring out the form of the drivers.

And watching the actual races.

Whether precariously,

or otherwise perched.

It was all seriousness and solitary silence.

But in-between races, there were waves (of the non-water variety), greetings and the biggest and warmest of smiles a newcomer could ever hope for. The latter in particular being especially pleasant, as despite it being so simple, it’s something that sadly isn’t seen so much in Tokyo.

Meaning that without a doubt I’ll be back. And maybe next time I’ll get a result, allowing me to add financial gain to the fun.

A hope that a lucky t-shirt might just help me with.

With a pen, paper and some possible positivism, for this fella at least, the weekend is all about a walk, and more importantly, a wager.

As The Emperor’s Cup is one of the biggest events in Japan’s horse racing calendar, it’s not exactly surprising then that yesterday Tokyo Racecourse was absolutely packed to the gunwales with gamblers.

But despite the crowds, for many it was still a solitary affair.

With contemplation,

and concentration, very much the order of the day.

Along with others combining betting with famous brands,

and even betting-related bonnets.

All of which, for the odd one or two, was obviously way too much.

But for first timers at least, it was a day of fun,

as well as fending off flu.

Complete with tremendous equestrian excitement.

And, for the eventual winner of the big race itself, sheer exhilaration.

(click images for full-sized photos)

Sumo’s autumn tournament has just recently finished in Tokyo, with Mongolian Yokozuna Asashoryu winning with a hugely impressive and almost effortless record of 14 wins and 1 defeat; silencing his many critics with a dominant, and thankfully almost controversy free, display.

Yet as regular as the wrestlers look in the ring, whether it be live or from the living room, out in the real world and mingling with the masses, they still sort of fit in,

but yet at the same time rather fascinatingly don’t.

Especially so considering the strict controls over their clobber.

Along with not only their heft, but more often than not, height.

And, for the higher ranked rikishi at least, their hairstyles.

All of which, despite the sport’s worryingly waining popularity among the nation’s youth, still makes them mesmerising to many.

Mask or no mask.

Baseball and football are certainly the top ranking sports in Japan, but the way things are going, that may only be for the time being, as, with the population rapidly shrinking and the ever-increasing number old people living longer and longer, gate ball might just become the next national sport.
 
And with Tokyo bidding for the 2016 Olympic Games, this decidedly ponderous pastime could conceivably join the roster and compete with the likes of anything equestrian related as a must see competition; especially so as it combines all the important aspects of a spectator sport, such as skill, 

teamwork,

tension,

and the odd bit of intricate technique.

Along with even the occasional flourish when it comes to fashion.