Koriyama 0 Posted October 3, 2006 Well, it's boring interbasho period, at least for those of us who are not in Japan to watch Danpatsu Shiki [thank you Ilovesumo for The reports (Holiday feeling...) ], so it Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Manekineko 200 Posted October 4, 2006 I was actually interested in Japan before I knew sumo existed. Part of it may be attributed to watching "Shogun" and "Shingen" on TV at unhealthily young age. Then my big brother gave us "Shingen" fans (meaning my dad and me) a bookset of "Miyamoto Musashi" for Christmas. And then he bought the complete "Lone Wolf" manga in English translation. All this I read before I was 15... and I was hooked. So when we noticed sumo on Eurosport, it was just another facet of the ever fascinating Japanese culture... Little did I know I was to become a fan. (Laughing...) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Fay 1,677 Posted October 4, 2006 I've been always interested in Japan and japanese culture. I think it started with a japanese science fiction series in german TV when I still was a child and which my parents had not allowed us to see. But .... I can't remember the title but it was really funny. So later I read some books, watched some films about the country in TV and I always loved the films of Akira Kurosawa. Then when I started my studies I was used to learn during the nights. Some of the subjects really were boring so I switched on TV and there it was: good old Eurosport and SUMO. I became addicted from the first minute I saw it and it didn't stop until now years and years and years later .... to be continued ..... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ilovesumo 12 Posted October 4, 2006 Sumo first, I was a kid, so enough time to discover Japan (Laughing...) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Fujisan 533 Posted October 4, 2006 Mostly sumo came first but theres always been a minor curiousity about Japanese people with me. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
aderechelsea 125 Posted October 4, 2006 sumo first ..... japanese comics and swordfighting interested me later on in my life. the rest of the Japanese culture interests me as much as any other country's Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kaikitsune Makoto 209 Posted October 4, 2006 (edited) Sumo first and then the rest. Did judo already before becoming truly aware of sumo but was never really that much into Japan despite doing judo. I am grateful to sumo not only because it is so incredibly interesting and fulfilling to be a fan of it but also because it triggered me to start studying Japanese which is a very dear hobby and brain storm for me now. Due to sumo I have become interested in Japan and have spent around 2 months of my life there for now. So all in all, one could say sumo contributed and continues to contribute tremendously lot to my life on various levels. Edited October 4, 2006 by Kaikitsune Makoto Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gusoyama 104 Posted October 5, 2006 I was interested in Japan and specifically Feudal Japan from a very young age, and I'm also a huge "lesser sports" fan. I watched a LOT of ESPN and ESPN2 in my high school years, often until 4am or later. One night, after watching one of "The Worlds Strongest Man" competitions, or possibly curling, or trick shot pool, or mini golf(yes, there was mini golf on ESPN at one point), on came Sumo, and I was hooked. I had heard of it before, but actually seeing it on TV instantly hooked me in. Since then, I've become even more interested in Japan, and highly enjoyed my trip there.(was that really 8 years ago?) Not sure how I ended up in the sumo games. Maybe from the sumo mailing list? Can't remember Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chiyomaru 0 Posted October 7, 2006 (edited) Different cultures always interested me, but I was a sumo fan first before I became fascinated by Japanese culture. (Applauding...) Now I have a great interest in almost everything that has something to do with Japan. I am buying Japanese movies, read books by Japanese writers and listen to Japanese songs. And I know that one day, when my kids are a little bit older, I'll try to learn the language. Edited October 7, 2006 by Chiyomaru Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hoshidango 0 Posted October 7, 2006 Interest in the sport only. Was there when I was a kid. I realized Sumo was an amazingly simple sport - and the best one. But the interest in the country has been limted. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sasanishiki 57 Posted October 10, 2006 Exposure to Japan first and sumo came soon after. I didn't really get into sumo or understand it until I was living there as an 18yr old and I could watch it on TV. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Manekineko 200 Posted October 11, 2006 Interesting - from the very beginning two first poll options were neck-to-neck, with the "sumo only" trailing behind. Interesting to see how Japan and sumo go hand in hand (at least among members of this Forum), and how even the division between chickens and eggs is. (Shaking head...) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ryukaze 0 Posted October 11, 2006 Without Sumo I wonder if I would have ever really had any interest in Japan, (eventually went and lived there for a couple of years.) I first saw Sumo on ESPN and never really became completely interested until I saw some of the smaller Rikishi compete, ( at the time Mainoumi, Kyokushuzan and Wakanohana, as well some clips of Chiyonofuji) and win. From that moment I was hooked, mainly by the idea that it is not all about body weight but technique and muscle as well, it is the purest form of contact sport in my opinion. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Shomishuu 0 Posted October 11, 2006 I'd need a fifth choice to vote, one that said that interest in sumo and Japan evolved side by side - that's because I was introduced to both when I was sent to Japan by the military in 1963. But that was my 'wild' time, and when I left in '65, both were out of sight, out of mind. Got back there in 1972 and interest in both again spiked up together and have remained since (of course, having married over there had a lot to do with that). I'd say sumo was slightly ahead now, but even so I think that understanding a lot about Japan will help in understanding sumo. I'm very impressed that many European fans have never even been to Japan. It seems that most of us Americans first had to be exposed in Japan to become fans...am I wrong here? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Koriyama 0 Posted October 12, 2006 I'd need a fifth choice to vote, one that said that interest in sumo and Japan evolved side by side - that's because I was introduced to both when I was sent to Japan by the military in 1963. But that was my 'wild' time, and when I left in '65, both were out of sight, out of mind. Got back there in 1972 and interest in both again spiked up together and have remained since (of course, having married over there had a lot to do with that). I'd say sumo was slightly ahead now, but even so I think that understanding a lot about Japan will help in understanding sumo. I'm very impressed that many European fans have never even been to Japan. It seems that most of us Americans first had to be exposed in Japan to become fans...am I wrong here? Well, I also have thought sometimes, that there are a lot of US soldiers around here. As for your vote, you are definitely Japan first. You didn Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ganzohnesushi 526 Posted October 12, 2006 I must admit ... it is Sumo only, a fascinating sport.... My interest in Japanese Culture is rather limited, I prefer the culture of South America, especially the Andes region. People there have much more 'joie de vivre' and love of life than the very conservative Japanese who are drowned in too many codes of behaviour. Ganzohnesushi Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Asojima 2,874 Posted October 12, 2006 the very conservative Japanese who are drowned in too many codes of behaviour. It is the implementation of those codes of behavior that I find most fascinating about the Japanese culture. The resulting art, attitudes, relationships and personal quirks are interesting to watch from a distance. I am not sure that I would want to be caught in the middle of it. To me, the whole sumo experience embodies much of what I enjoy most about the results of these codes. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sildan 0 Posted November 27, 2006 Well, I think I found Kurosawa films first, then sumo. I didn't really get fanatical, but did watch it on ESPN whenever I could. Then, a few years later I got hooked on anime and started watching the stream. I think it's the combination of the above that got me interested in Japan. Then, of course, I meet my sister's Japanese boyfriend and tell him that I like sumo... at which point he gave me that "Are you insane!?!" look. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gusoyama 104 Posted November 29, 2006 Well, I think I found Kurosawa films first, then sumo. I didn't really get fanatical, but did watch it on ESPN whenever I could. Then, a few years later I got hooked on anime and started watching the stream. I think it's the combination of the above that got me interested in Japan. Then, of course, I meet my sister's Japanese boyfriend and tell him that I like sumo... at which point he gave me that "Are you insane!?!" look. I know that look you're talking about. My friend's wife always laughs at me when I try to talk to her about sumo, or when I talk to her father about sumo. She's said I'm "an old man". Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
