Newbie from Kentucky

[Mukonoso 273]

Hello! I've just joined and while I may be new to these forums, I've been a fan of sumo for many years.

I started watching while I lived in Japan back in the early 90s (during the Taka/Waka boom). My wife is a native from Itami City which is in-between Osaka and Kobe. Her grandfather owned a couple of electrical appliance shops and was a sumo sponsor whenever the tournament came to Osaka. He used to give me the banzuke that the JSA would send him (gonna get one of them framed once I get my den back from my daughter).

While in Japan I worked as a bartender in a chain of English conversation lounges and one of the bars was a couple blocks away from the arena where the Osaka tournament was held. I would see the wrestlers walking back to their hotel in their robes during my breaks.

My interest in sumo got renewed once I discovered Araibira's videos on YouTube and then found the streaming link on Goo Sumo. My favorite rikishi is Kotooshu but I'm also a fan of Kotoshogiku and even Takanoyama.

My wife and I are currently planning our next trip back to Japan for March so we can see her family and the Osaka basho.

Just in case anyone is curious, my user name "Mukonoso" is actually the neighborhood where my apartment was in Amagasaki City.

Edited July 13, 2012 by Mukonoso

[Fujisan 533]

and even Takanoyama.

Oh well,no ones perfect...;-)

Welcome aboard Mukonoso..

Chuck in your salt and join the fray....

[Fukurou 534]

Hey neighbor! Welcome! :-)

Fukurou, from Indiana

[Mukonoso 273]

Oh well,no ones perfect... ;-)

Takanoyama could stand to gain a few kilograms to go with those judo skills of his. It's kind of sad to see him yo-yo up and down between the ranking levels, but I'm always one to cheer for an underdog.

Edited July 13, 2012 by Mukonoso