The Roving Ronin Report

Leap Day let its presence be known in Tokyo with a sudden snow shower that blanketed the city. I went around and took some photos and videos of certain spots. In the past several years, snowfalls in Tokyo have become somewhat rarer than in the past. Ota Dokan (1432-1486) Ota Dokan was a samurai leader of the 15th Century who built the first castle in Tokyo then known as Edo. He died at the hands of his master who had been deliberately misled that Ota was disloyal. His death occurred during the early part of the Sengoku Period (1476-1573) when treachery and murder was commonplace. Buddha of Tenno-ji Temple of the Yanaka Area  Golden Kannon Statue of Zenshoan Temple Kusunoki Masashige (1294-1336) Kusunoki Masashige was a samurai lord during the transitionary period from the fall of the Kamakura Shogunate to the rise of the Ashikaga Shogunate. He is remembered for his loyalty to the Emperor Godaigo. Against his better judgement, Kusunoki followed the Emperor's orders to m...

DAY 13 of January 2012 Sumo Tournament I caught the last hour or so of the January 2012 sumo basho or tournament. Almost didn't go as the weather was nasty with first rain then wet snow that didn't stick. I was glad I did though. Saw some intense matches especially the last one. Really enjoyed it! Here are some photos of the matches I saw on Day 13 mostly with winning shots. ARAN vs KAISEI Brazilian Kaisei beat Russian Aran with a yorikiri -   frontal force out while holding onto an opponent's mawashi - loincloth TENKAIHO vs KYOKUTENHO Tenkaiho wins with a yorikiri YOSHIKAZE vs TAKANOYAMA Czech Takanoyama wins with a hikiotoshi - hand pull down MYOGIRYU vs YOSHIAZUMI Myogiryu wins with a oshidashi - frontal push out without griping the opponent's mawashi and maintaining hand contact HOMASHO vs TOSAYUTAKA Match goes to Homasho with a yorikiri KITATAIKI vs TOYOHIBIKI Toyohibiki wins with a yorikiri TAKEKAZE vs OKINOUMI Okinoumi ...