Each flag represents a wrestler. I need to re-confirm w/ Vince but I believe 'Basho' which goes on only a few times a year (Tokyo, Okinawa etc.) around Japan is held for 18 days straight. Each day they have the oppty to win a significant amount of money (I think we discussed up to 85k if the pros won each match each day).
Mt Fuji is incredible! It's simply perfect and always seems to look like a painting. We understand now why there are so many paintings of this magnificent mountain.
We traveled to Mt. Fuji via bus from Tokyo (about 1.5 hrs) and went up to the 4th station. Next stop was the village of Hakone (known for their hot springs) where we hopped on a boat that took us across the lake (which is really a crater). Headed up the cable car to see the lake, Fuji, Shinto Temple & to see how close we were to the Pacific ocean on 2 sides.
We actually ordered lunch out of a vending machine at 'Finger Hut' which was a diner like... take on soups and noodles.
The men are insanely BIG. They throw a salt to clear the spirits and the idea is to get the other person out of the circle or to force one of their body parts to the floor. At the end of the match they squat and get paid. What you can't see is how they waddle into the arena and roll themselves on a soft squishy mat to sit on until its their turn. lol VERY interesting.
We were there about 5 hrs...ie we have a lot of 'cheek' on video ;) They start w/ the rookies and progress to the one's that make the big $. This was the intro to the 'pros'.
