Sumos + Samurai + Udon = Adventure!

Our third day in Japan was an adventurous one in deed and spirit! In Movement, campers had the opportunity to simulate sumo wrestling matches by donning "belly bumpers." Sumo (相撲 sumō) is a competitive full-contact sport where a wrestler (rikishi) attempts to force another wrestler out of a circular ring or to touch the ground with anything other than the soles of the feet. The sport originated in Japan, and it is the only country where it is practiced professionally. Sumo is generally considered to be a gendai budō (a modern Japanese martial art), though this definition is incorrect as the sport has a history spanning centuries. Many ancient traditions have been preserved in sumo, and even today the sport includes ritual elements, such as the use of salt purification, from the days when sumo was used in the Shinto religion. Life as a rikishi is highly regimented, with rules laid down by the Sumo Association. Most sumo wrestlers are required to live in communal "sumo training stables" known in Japanese as heya where all aspects of their daily lives—from meals to their manner of dress—are dictated by strict tradition.

In Studio Art, our youngest campers finished up their koi fish and our older campers worked on their Japanese scrolls, adding calligraphy and water color as final touches. In Cooking, the younger campers made Japanese sugar cookies while the older campers made an adapted version of udon soup using chopped up vegetables and packages of ramen. 

And in Performance? All campers that spent time in the auditorium with Dan today were taught about the steps involved in Samurai sword fighting, the essentials of which are good footwork, strong basic cuts, flexible fighting postures, and winning strategies. Part of studying Samurai sword fighting is learning about manners, respect, and etiquette. We were impressed with the diligence and consideration the campers demonstrated as they learned more about the Samurai sword fighting traditions and also with how they conducted themselves during the performance/simulation portion of their lesson. 

 Tomorrow we will head to Spectacle Island, one of the Boston Harbor Islands. Japan is itself an archipelago of 6,852 islands. The four largest--Honshu, Hokkaido, Kyushu, and Shikoku--comprise ninety-seven percent of Japan's land area. Though we aren't island hopping tomorrow, the trip nevertheless feels apropos to our studies. We look forward to sharing more about the journey with you tomorrow!