Hello all,
Hey just wanted to plug a first of its kind book. Thomas Zabel, an American sumo sandan, has published the first training manual for sumo in English "Sumo Skills." This is the first English book on how to train sumo not just enjoy it as a fan. You can find it on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Sumo-Skills-In.../dp/0991408608 I ordered it directly from Tom and he autographed it (and gave a nice discount off the cover price). It has a lot of great information about the gyoji's commands and what they say during the match, excellent tips on many of the basic taiso (most I've never seen anywhere else) and a good illustrated breakdown of the 82 kimarite. He also ranks the kimarite based on how frequently they are used and seen which allows an aspiring rikishi to know where to focus their training time (you don't see many izori or shumokuzori at any sumo level and for good reason). Check it out it is certainly worth the cover price and it fills a much needed hole in amateur sumo in the West.
Cheers,