An audio recording of Danpatsushiki, the Sumo Retirement Song from Ryogoku Kokugikan arena in Tokyo

After booking our flight to Tokyo, we were a little bummed to learn that we would be arriving just after Japan’s first Grand Sumo Tournament of the year… Thankfully, we were lucky to find that a Sumo retirement ceremony for a well-known wrestler would be happening during our stay, complete with several intermediate and pro matches.. We absolutely loved the tradition and fun of it all!

Here’s a hauntingly beautiful recording of the Danpatsushiki Sumo retirement song performed after the retiring wrestler’s top-knot was snipped at the Ryogoku Kokugikan arena in Tokyo, Japan.