My dad is a communications specialist, and my mum is a teacher. Their jobs take us all around the world. It was the end of February, and we were on the move again. This time we were heading to Japan. Osaka to be precise. Dad’s company had arranged an apartment, and mum was to teach English at a nearby school. I was to go to an international school not far from home. I was looking forward to the move as I had never been to Japan before. I wanted to make sure that I would try to learn about the history of Japan, the culture and even try to learn some Japanese.

We arrived at Osaka International Airport and was greeted by a company representative. Mr Yamada held a large sign with our names on it, so we could not miss the pickup. We were swiftly taken to a minibus and given a tour of the city. Osaka is huge, lots of tall buildings, neon lights, people coming and going. The smell of fish, rice, sake and an assortment of fast food filled up the air in the minibus. I wasn’t quite sure how I was going to learn where everything was.

Not far from the centre of town, we turned into narrow roads, it became more of a residential area. Our apartment was on the sixteenth floor of a very large skyscraper. Mum pulled back the curtains of a very large window, and we could see the Osaka skyline. We explored the two bedrooms; small bathroom and the kitchen was combined with the living room. The apartment was smaller than the place we lived in before, but we had experienced close living in Hong Kong. Mum said in a loud voice, “This is nice and doable!” Dad smiled and seemed eager to start our new life.

Mr Yamada took us on a tour of the residential area and pointed out things like the supermarket, park, pool, railway station and my school. The school was also a skyscraper. I tried to remember the route to take from the apartment to school as I would be walking back and forth each day. One surprising thing on our walk was that Mr Yamada pointed out a stable. “Stable?” I asked. He said, “Yes!” Dad immediately said, “Sumo!” My eyes lit up and my smile stretched from ear to ear. I was so excited to think that sumo wrestlers were living not far from my home.

I started school and managed to make friends and adapted to the new school system. I quickly learned how to walk to and from school and would make a detour via the sumo stable. There was a small carpark outside the building, and a tent had been erected. I could see sumo exercising in the carpark and it made me feel lucky to see such a sight. Near the carpark was a food vendor selling delicious Takoyaki. The vendor told me how the sumo would be in town for just a short period as they were preparing for the March Hon Basho, (March Tournament).

As I was eating my Takoyaki, one of the sumo wrestlers came over to the food stall. The sumo was eager to practice his English and introduced himself as Sakura Shuji. Sakura Shuji was at least three times the size of me and double my height. The size of his hands alone took me by surprise. He asked me where I had come from and about my life. I felt my life was quite boring when compared with his. At the end of my explanation, I couldn’t help myself and blurted out, “What about you and your life?” Sakura Shuji laughed and his whole tummy wobbled. He said, “Tomorrow is Saturday, why don’t you come join me for a day? We start at 5.30am so, come to the stable”. I replied, “I need to check with mum and dad, but it should be ok!”

I couldn’t believe that I had received an invite from a sumo. I quickly went home and informed mum and dad of the invitation. They agreed, but dad said, “On one condition, you need to read up on sumo, so you know exactly what it is all about”. I agreed wholeheartedly and commenced my research.

I learned that the secret nature of the sport dates back to very early Japan, about the third century. It seems that originally the wrestling took place in temples in front of priests. The rituals that were performed included elements related to Shintoism. By the seventeenth century, wrestling was used to raise money for community buildings and projects. It then became a sport and turned into a business. Sumo wrestlers became famous and attracted many followers. Those who turned professional had the opportunity to gain money. I wondered about Sakura Shuji and if he had a following.