Going Once, Going Twice, Sold!

The second full day in Tokyo started at the crack of dawn. Or maybe before. But that’s what it takes to see the institution which is the Tsukiji Fish Market. At around five-thirty AM, you can watch them auctioning off the gargantuan, man-sized tuna just as they have for at least a hundred years. And they don’t mess around. They sell an entire warehouse of these 150-lb. bad-boys in about 20 minutes. And that’s just one of many warehouses filled with both fresh and frozen giant tuna. After the auction, we walked around the rest of the market to survey the strange and interesting delicacies for sale, before settling down to the freshest sashimi breakfast we’ve ever had. Wheaties doesn’t have anything on raw fish for breakfast.

Later that afternoon, Michael, Anne Marie, Russ and I headed to Ryogoku to see the day of Sumo matches. Talk about soaking in some Japanese culture. Sumo is about 10% sport and 90% ritual, but that adds up to 100% entertainment. Luckily, Michael and Anne Marie could fill us in on some of the significance of the wrestlers’ actions (e.g. throwing salt is to purify the ring). It was really interesting and we were fortunate to be in town while the May tourney is happening since they only have a few throughout the year. We’re just wondering when this is going to catch on at home?!

One of many rows of freshly caught tuna. The rear fins are cut to expose the flesh and let the buyers check out the quality of the meat.

A circle of finely tuned athletes preparing to sumo.