Baruto – The Leonardo DiCaprio of the Sumo World
Estonian sumo wrestler Baruto Kaito (Kaido Höövelson) has been promoted to the second highest rank in professional sumo, ozeki:
As you can see from the video clip embedded above, some in the Japanese media are commenting on how he is handsome (“ikemen”). Apparently he is said to resemble actor Leonardo DiCaprio. Baruto has laughed off the comparison, joking that maybe he is better looking than DiCaprio. The Japanese media also seems to have taken a liking to his Russian wife, who looks quite nice in a kimono.
Mainichi reports on his polite and happy demeanor:
“I want to be cheerful and be an ozeki that can live up to the expectations of the fans,” Baruto said after officials were sent by the sport’s governing body to convey the decision.
“Unless I win a championship I can’t move up to yokozuna. I just have to target winning a title,” he said.
Baruto, whose cheerful disposition and quirky sense of humor has won him an increasing number of fans, becomes the eighth foreign-born ozeki and second European wrestler after Bulgarian grappler Kotooshu to attain the rank.
Read more about his life story in this article. Also be sure to check out this interview.
In case you are wondering about what this promotion actually means, the above figure includes some details. Baruto will get a pay raise, be allowed to ride a car up to the entrance of the Kokugikan, get first class airplane tickets instead of business class tickets, and his name will be written in a larger font on the sumo ranking charts.
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Categories: Celebrity News, Foreigners in Japan
Tokyo Sky Tree – Japan’s Tallest Structure
Earlier this week, construction on the new Tokyo Sky Tree reached a point where it overtook Tokyo Tower, making it the tallest man-made structure in Japan. Here are some video clips from FTV and NTV news programs:
In the FTV clip they say that although it will take another 2 years for the tower to reach its full height, there is already “Sky Tree Fever” in Tokyo. Tourists are flocking to take photos of the half-finished tower and restaurants are selling tower-themed menu items. One bath house has already painted the Sky Tree on its walls. Since the final height of the Sky Tree will reach 634-meters, some local businesses are holding promotions with 63.4% discounts. People are still visiting Tokyo Tower, but a lot of them seem to be using it as a platform from which to take photos of the Sky Tree.
The above clip from NTV’s “Bankisha” checks out various spots in the Kanto region from which one can view the Sky Tree. The farthest spot seems to be Mt. Tsukuba, some 63 kilometers (39 miles) away.
Those interested in other cool viewing spots will also want to check out this collection photos of the Tokyo Sky Tree plotted on Google Maps:
View Places you can see the Sky Tree in a larger map
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Categories: General Japan
Mini Dog Pizza
Another monstrous pizza being sold in Japan, this time by Pizza Hut:
A BBQ Chicken / Potato Gratin Mayonnaise just wouldn’t be the same without a mini dog crust…
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Categories: Japanese Food