2004 Hatsu Basho Schedule

Here's the Hatsu Basho schedule as announced by the
Kyokai on December 1:

December 16 - Advance Ticket sales start (at various
locations around Tokyo)
December 24 - Hatsu Basho Banzuke Release
December 25 - Rikishi-Kai (Association of Sekitori)
General Meeting
January   5 - Keiko Soken (Training Practice
Observation by the Yokoshin Committee)
January   6 - New Recruits Physicals
January   7 - Yokozuna Dohyo-Iri Offering at the Meiji
Jingu Shrine (near Shinjuku)
January  11 - Day 1 of the Hatsu Basho
January  25 - The Senshuraku 
January  26 - Yokozuna Shingi Iinkai (Yokozuna
Deliberation Committee)Meeting
January  28 - Haru Basho Banzuke Arrangement Meeting
January  31 - Akinoshima Retirment Sumo/Fujishima Name
Adaption Reception Party
February  1 - Daizen Retirement Sumo/Fujigane Name
Adaption Reception Party
February  4 - NHK Charity Ozumo Open
February  8 - Fuji TV Ozumo Tournament Championships 
February 14/15 - The South Korea Jyungyo - Seoul
February 18    - The South Korea Jyungyo - Pusan
February 24 - New Recruits Secondary Physicals and
Exams   

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During weekdays when they could not even attract 4,000
people to the arena in Fukuoka, the Kyokai will be
giving away more goodies to attract the fans back to
the Kokugikan for the Hatsu Basho.

Folks from the town of Itayanagi(-machi), Aoyama
Prefecture, came to their rescue.  They are mighty
proud of their native son, ever popular Takamisakari.

They will be handing out a couple of locally produced
apples to each of the first 6000 fans arriving at the
Kokugikan on Day 6 and 13.  The whole campaign is
costing them Four Million Yen but the Kyokai is also
chipping in by giving away a postcard of Takamisakari
along with the prized apples. "We are showing our
support for the popular rikishi from our home town and
hopefully we can get people know about our town," said
an Itayanagi civic offcial.         
 
In addition, the Kyokai is giving away a "clearfile"
of Yokozuna Asashoryu to all ticketholders on Day 2,
3, 9 and 10, and as well "back by popular demand", a
200 yen bowl Chanko-nabe will be servred for the whole
15 days of Hatsu Basho.