Japan – Tokyo December 1-3, 2002

We tried to get in to see a Sumo Beya or training school, but to no avail. We did get into one small one, but it was past their practice time. So we went to the Sumo Museum.

T Outside the national arena where all the matches are held is this small shrine where the wrestlers pray before each match Click on the link below for more Japan in the Edo Period info http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2128.html

Then we went over to the Edo Museum, which was just fabulous. Here is Bill in a palanquin, or chair which was carried from place to place. There were great models of famous Japanese architectural styles, and of an entire town.

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Japanese history 101- During the Edo period (1603-1867), the land was run by Shoguns, all of the Tokogawa family, and brought us much of what we think as traditionally Japanese – the samurai warrior class, the tea ceremony, much of current behavior patterns and the tatami mat! In 1637, the shogun decreed that Japan be shut off from the rest of the world, and until Admiral Perry of the good old USA sailed into port and DEMANDED that Japan open her ports (does this sound familiar or what?), Japan remained an insulated island..

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