With the May Sumo Tournament just over a week away from beginning, my random desktop background picked this photo for me (and you) today. Notice the rikishi with the green apron (keshomawashi or 化粧回し) in the back left. This is Kakuryu (back in 2009), who was just promoted (2012) to Ozeki after nearly winning the March Tournament. Ozeki is the second highest rank in Sumo.

After the tournament in which I took today’s pic (September 2009) Kakuryu (鶴竜) was promoted to Sekiwake, the rank just below Ozeki. Since then Kakuryu has bounced around between the Sekiwake, Komusubi, and Maegashira ranks. Perhaps he will be the next Yokozuna? He has defeated the only current Yokozuna, Hakuho, in the last two tournaments.

Posted on April 26th, 2012 under Japan. Tags: sumo. Comments: 2

和 = wa = peace, harmony, balance, and the like. There is nothing quite as peaceful, in harmony, and fulfilling of balance than death.

Posted on April 24th, 2012 under Japan. Tags: cemetery, gokokuji, Tokyo. Comments Off on Ultimate 和

Not too far from the Musashi Koganei Station (武蔵小金井駅) near Kodaira City (小平市) on the western side of Tokyo you can find the Buddhist Temple known as Kaiganji (海岸寺). There you will see these water lilies. I suppose they could be lotus, but I think lotus are above, rather than on, the water.

Posted on April 20th, 2012 under Japan. Tags: buddhist, flower lovers guide to tokyo, koganei, lanterns. Comments Off on Buddhist Water Lilies

Posted on April 10th, 2012 under Japan. Tags: waseda university. Comments Off on Waseda University’s Okuma Memorial Hall Bell Tower

Posted on April 9th, 2012 under Japan, Oregon. Tags: bokeh, cherry blossoms, Nikon 35mm f/1.8 lens, nikon d7000, sakura, 桜. Comments: 2