A Walk around Ryogoku (Part 2) / 両国の散歩 （パート２）

How can I go to Ryogoku and not feature the Ryogoku Kokugikan. So without further ado, here it is.

両国まで行って両国国技館を紹介しなきゃいきませんね。それだは。

There was no National Suma bouts today, but there was a competition of some kind. I don't think it was open to the public though.

今日は有名な相撲の大会はありませんでしが、何かの大会はありました。でも一般人が入るがどうかが分からなかった。

I remember my mother taking me to a Sumo tournament when I was still in elementary school, but as that would have been in the early '70s, it wouldn't have been at this building. We most likely saw the tournament at the Kuramae Kokugikan. I remember seeing Jesse and losing my little plastic bag that had a goldfish in it.

小学校時代に一度自分のあ母さんが相撲に連れてたこと覚えてます。でも昭和４０年代だったので、こちの国技館じゃなくって、蔵前国技館だったんでしょう。当時ハワイ出身の高見山が人気だった。

Mikako and I also stumbled across one other place that turned out to be very interesting. It was the former Yasuda Garden.

僕と美香子がもう一ヶ所両国に発見しました。場所の名前は旧安田庭園。美しい所でした。

Isn't it a relaxing atmosphere?

良い雰囲気でしょう？

I can imagine myself sitting here with a good book and enjoying the peace and quiet.

ここで風景を見ながら読書をするのも良いかも。

So who is Yasuda? Fortunately, there was a sign in Japanese and English giving a little history of the area.

安田って誰でしょう？良かったことにここの庭園の説明は日本語と英語で書かれてました。

And because this is Ryogoku - home of Sumo wrestling and Chanko nabe, you will find little statuettes of sumo wrestlers displayed along the street.

両国は相撲の本土なので、通りのあちこちに力士の像が並んでます。ちゃんこ鍋の店も多いですね。

Until next time...

でわまた。。。