Asashoryu performs sumo ring ritual at Osaka shrine

Asashoryu performs sumo ring ritual at Osaka shrine

OSAKA, Japan - Mongolian grand champion Asashoryu (C) performs a sumo ring ritual at Osaka Tenmangu Shrine in Osaka on March 4 in front of around 1,000 spectators. The ritual was performed at the shrine for the first time since 1949.

Asashoryu performs ring ritual at Osaka shrine

Asashoryu performs ring ritual at Osaka shrine

OSAKA, Japan - Mongolian grand champion Asashoryu performs a sumo ritual ceremony at Osaka Tenmangu Shrine in Osaka on March 4 in front of around 1,000 spectators. The ritual was performed at the shrine for the first time since 1949.

Asashoryu performs sumo ring ritual at Osaka shrine

Asashoryu performs sumo ring ritual at Osaka shrine

OSAKA, Japan - Mongolian grand champion Asashoryu (C) performs a sumo ring ritual at Osaka Tenmangu Shrine in Osaka on March 4 in front of around 1,000 spectators. The ritual was performed at the shrine for the first time since 1949. (Kyodo)

Asashoryu performs ring ritual at Osaka shrine

Asashoryu performs ring ritual at Osaka shrine

OSAKA, Japan - Mongolian grand champion Asashoryu performs a sumo ritual ceremony at Osaka Tenmangu Shrine in Osaka on March 4 in front of around 1,000 spectators. The ritual was performed at the shrine for the first time since 1949. (Kyodo)

Traditional "horse-chasing" festival in Fukushima Prefecture

Traditional "horse-chasing" festival in Fukushima Prefecture

Horsemen dressed like samurai warriors dash on a 1,000-meter circuit at the Hibarigahara field in the city of Minamisouma, Fukushima Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on July 24, 2016, during the second day of the wild horse-chasing festival called "Soma-Nomaoi." The festival, which is said to have a history dating back to the early 10th century, attracted around 43,000 spectators. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo