Asashoryu wa kokuoo

Today was a beautiful day, in the 60s (F) and somewhat sunny, so I took a long walk through the woods of Machikaneyama. It turned out the path I took was actually closed off for construction, so no one was around to bother me. The leaves are starting to come down, although today I detected the scent of Hawaii in the air, mingled with wood smoke and decaying leaves. Very strange.

I also went to Nisshoo supermarket, the dollar store, and Kojima electronics store. The holiday shopping season seems to have started here as well. I got KFC for dinner, and the Colonel's secret blend of 11 herbs and spices seem to have fended off the illness befalling me. Either that or the gallon of green tea (ocha) I've drunk.

The fall sumo tournament ended today, but the big action happened Saturday. Morning Blue Dragon (aka Asashoryu) won his bout, defeating local favorite ozeki Kaio. In the process he broke three records, with the most wins in a single year (83), winning all six tournaments in a year, and winning seven in a row. Today he added no. 84 to his belt. He also got several trophies (one presented by the Prime Minister himself), a banner, a big pile o' money, and a very large fish.

Yesterday saw Kotooshu easily handle ozeki Chiyotaikai. He lost badly today to Kaio, but an 11-4 tourney with a win over the yokozuna and a current ozeki will assure him of promotion to shinozeki ("new" ozeki). The Head Honchos of Ozumo, who decide such things, will announce their decision Wednesday.

What will I write about now that sumo is done for a couple months? Maybe some more haikus.