Today is the first day of the spring sumo tournament. Due to the new
corona virus this basho is held without any spectators in the Osaka
Prefectural Gymnasium. It was really awkward to watch the live feed on
NHK world (with the outstanding John Gunning and Ross Mihara in the
broadcast booth) showing the empty seats. It was however an unusual
experience for the commentators, too. John mentioned the sounds of the
bouts and the yumitorishiki (bow twirling ceremony at the end of each
tournament day) multiple times. You can now hear everything that
otherwise would be inaudible due to all the noise coming from the
spectators.
