008. TOKYO, OOZING ALMOST NAKED
I drift into her arms
Holding her is where I learned forgiveness
The strength to carry on
Her memory in a song
She has her silver shoes on
Dancing again
The melody contains a way
Lo Fang – Holding her is where I learned forgiveness
While traveling in Japan last summer, I had the opportunity to go to the suburbs of Tokyo to watch a Sumo training session. I’d already had the occasion to see Sumos fight during my childhood, but only when my father watched their championships on TV. I remember those men’s bodies, oozing almost naked, pushing each other with their hearts towards the edge of the combat zone. Despite my low interest in contact sports, I remember watching many rounds alongside my father, captivated by their strength, the passion of the audiences in the stands, the dominance of the strongest and the ceremonial atmosphere.
Through the screen, I didn’t measure enough the greatness of these men, nor of the practice. However, I had the chance to re-evaluate everything this summer in the presence of these athletes, these skilled performers, who agreed to open the doors of their stable to a few groups of foreigners, an occasion during which I was able to photograph them.
Sumo wrestlers carry an ancestral strength that is beyond our understanding. Their bodies represent the heritage and pride of the nation. It was the beauty of action, the intensity of passion and the weight of determination that I saw that day. I saw clouds breaking through and every drop of sweat representing an unspeakable rage to win.
Through these shots, I wanted to represent what I saw in that closed-door setting: movement, fatigue, fraternity, lightness, fighting spirit and passion.
Through the screen, I didn’t measure enough the greatness of these men, nor of the practice. However, I had the chance to re-evaluate everything this summer in the presence of these athletes, these skilled performers, who agreed to open the doors of their stable to a few groups of foreigners, an occasion during which I was able to photograph them.
Sumo wrestlers carry an ancestral strength that is beyond our understanding. Their bodies represent the heritage and pride of the nation. It was the beauty of action, the intensity of passion and the weight of determination that I saw that day. I saw clouds breaking through and every drop of sweat representing an unspeakable rage to win.
Through these shots, I wanted to represent what I saw in that closed-door setting: movement, fatigue, fraternity, lightness, fighting spirit and passion.
Sarah E.
