Steve's Photoblog
The Sumo Match
Posted by Steve Rice (Olympia, United States) on 31 December 2008 in Sport & Recreation.
Reiko, a Japanese friend, sent me a wonderful holiday card this year. It contains a fold up sumo ring and six contestants. And I didn't think she could top last year's card - a pop up with Santas in a sushi shop.
A wee note about Sumo, the Japanese national sport. I love this sport because the outcome is hardly ever open to controversy; the judges hardly ever get involved. The first wrestler to be thrown down or to be forced out of the ring loses. So, the winner is usually obvious and a match is often over in just a few seconds. It is so unlike boxing here.
Those big wrestlers can move very quickly and are often very agile. My favorite is Asashoryu, a Yokozuna or grand master, who is smaller than many of his opponents. But, he is very strong and keeps his balance in seeming defiance of the force of gravity.
Monique from Koh Samui, Thailand
Those pop-up cards are artworks and this one is very beautiful, sumo wrestling is great to watch!
31 Dec 2008 6:00am
Paco Díaz from Palma de Mallorca, Spain
I love this way of wishin happy new year, very special! :)
Happy 2009!
31 Dec 2008 6:26am
GJC from Kyoto, Japan
A delightful card! Unfortunately Asashoryu hasn't had such good luck this last year; let's see what 2009 holds for him.
31 Dec 2008 8:12am
António Pires from Lisbon, Portugal
That's what we need, to keep balance in the upcoming crisis. Nice New Year!
31 Dec 2008 2:35pm
Don Wiley from spokane, United States
A fine gift! I like how you're pictured it. Happy New Year!
31 Dec 2008 3:47pm
Pixim from Nice, France
As it is interesting, the world is truly a large scene of theatre… I thank you for your regular attention and wishes you an Happy new year ;)
31 Dec 2008 4:21pm
JJ from Jersey City, United States
What a cool card, I too Enjoy watching Sumo, the agility and speed of these huge guys is amazing
Happy New years and all the best for 2009 for you and yours
31 Dec 2008 4:25pm
Jean-François from Les Issambres, France
yes fantastic !!!!!! ............. have a good time before 2009 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! best, JF
31 Dec 2008 4:43pm
ordinaryimages from Kentucky Bluegrass, United States
Happy New Year! best...jerry
31 Dec 2008 4:53pm
Seraphine from San Francisco, United States
that's great. love it.
happy new year.
31 Dec 2008 5:10pm
Florence from France
Happy new Year Steve ! All my best wishes for you and yours !
31 Dec 2008 5:16pm
EYES WIDE SHUT from United Kingdom
What a precious card, and the way you have photographed it also. Feels like a 19th century cardboard game, where you manually move the contestants in a makeshift ring. Absolutely wonderful
Wishing you a joyous New Year and much happiness for the coming year
31 Dec 2008 5:58pm
Michael Skorulski from Cigel, Slovakia
A wonderful and original card. A great image of it.
31 Dec 2008 6:17pm
Observing from West Cheshire, United Kingdom
A wonderful idea for a card, very authentic looking. Happy New Year to you and youras Steve...!!!!!
31 Dec 2008 9:04pm
Alain Berger - vu@granby from Granby, Québec, Canada
Great special card !
I will like to know who win ???
From the group of 48 granbiens of vu@granby,
Happy New Year 2009 !
Thank you for your encouragement in 2008 !
31 Dec 2008 10:14pm
roentarre from Melbourne, Australia
This is the kind of art I really like. Wow! A collector item!
1 Jan 2009 1:44am
One from Açores, Portugal
I wish you a very good year in 2009 for exceptional photography !!!
1 Jan 2009 2:55am
Daryl from Amagasaki, Japan
This is the same card I sent my brother for Christmas! They have great Christmas cards here, my family back home always love them.
4 Jan 2009 1:42am
dj.tigersprout from San Bruno, CA, United States
wow - this is awesome! lucky you to receive such faaabulous cards!! :) excellent framing -- wonderfully graphic!
28 Jan 2009 12:45am
