shimodahito 317 Posted May 25, 2015 good day all, I saw an add in a Japanese magazine that almost made be puke. Live at Ryogoku Kokugikan, July 3rd, 2015, WWE 'puro" wrastlin'...... Say it isn't so?!?!?! Was I naïve to think that the grand hall was only used for sumo-related events and activities? The thought of WWE amongst the portraits is disturbing. -shimodahito 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mukonoso 273 Posted May 25, 2015 Well I know that Bodymaker Coliseum in Osaka is used wrestling and boxing whenever sumo isn't in town (like eleven months of the year). Stands to reason that other arenas would be the same I guess. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Orion 431 Posted May 26, 2015 You think the Kyokai people should be sitting on their hands while the owners of other big halls rake in the money? No way. This place was designed to be multi-purpose, and pro-wrestling is only one kind of event. In the early days I recall they had Kabuki, with Ennosuke flying down on a wire from the top Rear/West corner. And of course every February we have the annual Choir of 5,000 singing Beethoven's Ninth -- that was in the original plans as the final celebration of the opening of the 'then' New Kokugikan, back in 1985. You can easily find a picture -- the dohyo is sunk down and a plain floor comes over above it (where the orchestra sits). The choir occupies all the rear half of the ground floor and balcony, while on the spectators' side (front and sides) the masuseki are retracted as far as the arches with the clocks and green exit lights. Orion 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Asashosakari 19,669 Posted May 26, 2015 (edited) At the Tokyo Olympics in 5 years the Kokugikan is scheduled to host the boxing competition. Considering the judging at that often makes pro-wrestling look like the more genuine article... Well I know that Bodymaker Coliseum in Osaka is used wrestling and boxing whenever sumo isn't in town (like eleven months of the year). Stands to reason that other arenas would be the same I guess.You can call it "Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium" again, the naming rights contract with Bodymaker expired two months ago. ;-) Edited May 26, 2015 by Asashosakari 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mukonoso 273 Posted May 26, 2015 At the Tokyo Olympics in 5 years the Kokugikan is scheduled to host the boxing competition. Considering the judging at that often makes pro-wrestling look like the more genuine article... Well I know that Bodymaker Coliseum in Osaka is used wrestling and boxing whenever sumo isn't in town (like eleven months of the year). Stands to reason that other arenas would be the same I guess.You can call it "Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium" again, the naming rights contract with Bodymaker expired two months ago. ;-) Seriously? Man I was just in Namba a couple weeks ago hitting a maid cafe and the Book Off two buildings over from the gymnasium. I should have made the extra few steps and I would have noticed. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shimodahito 317 Posted May 27, 2015 judo, kendo, kabuki, even boxing are honorable sports or traditional Japanese activities... but the puro rasslin' caused the eyes to roll... perhaps more than sport, it is modern kabuki theater complete with fancy lights and make-up.... thanks. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kasutera 258 Posted May 28, 2015 Yes, because there is absolutely NO cross-over fandom between sumo and pro wrestling, and certainly there's been NO cross-over of talent either! They are two separately different spheres of fandom and should never ever ever ever touch ever, and this is totally not a condescending and patronizing opinion to have! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Akinomaki 40,814 Posted December 26, 2015 At the Tokyo Olympics in 5 years the Kokugikan is scheduled to host the boxing competition. Olympic organization committee president, ex-prime minister Mori came for talks with the sumo-kyokai top about using the kokugikan for the boxing events. http://www.sponichi.co.jp/sports/news/2015/12/25/kiji/K20151225011747220.html Afterwards a handshake with PR deputy chief Tamanoi, also deputy chief of business operations. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Benevolance 2,511 Posted December 26, 2015 If you think the wrasslin' is bad, I've heard that a bunch of foreigners have started using the kokugikan as a place to store yuusho portraits. 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Asashosakari 19,669 Posted December 26, 2015 Incidentally... Well I know that Bodymaker Coliseum in Osaka is used wrestling and boxing whenever sumo isn't in town (like eleven months of the year). Stands to reason that other arenas would be the same I guess.You can call it "Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium" again, the naming rights contract with Bodymaker expired two months ago. ;-)That didn't last long, shortly after that post the next naming rights agreement was concluded; it's now the "Edion Arena Osaka" until 2018. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Akinomaki 40,814 Posted June 23, 2016 One use I never saw before for the kokugikan: the share holder general meeting of Toshibahttp://business.nikkeibp.co.jp/atcl/report/15/281481/062200014/ Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Orion 431 Posted June 24, 2016 One use I never saw before for the kokugikan: the share holder general meeting of Toshiba http://business.nikkeibp.co.jp/atcl/report/15/281481/062200014/ Yes, apart from the auditorium itself, the Kokugikan has several large halls. In the basement beneath the shomen seats there is the complete works for holding a wedding or a retirement party, for example, including cloakroom and even kitchen facilities. Orion Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Akinomaki 40,814 Posted October 25, 2018 The new T-league (table tennis) had its opening event in the kokugikan yesterday - in style all teams had nobori outside o o 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Akinomaki 40,814 Posted November 8, 2018 On Oct. 6th and 7th the 30th anniversary special Anpanman festival took place in the kokugikan. http://kaden.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/column/941ikumen/1151890.html the trophies usually on display here were removed to get sent to Kyushu later 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
