Rikishi of Old Joe Kuroda Hidenoyama, one of the sport's earliest 'real' yokozuna back in the early days comes under the all seeing glare of sumo's premier historian Joe Kuroda in an epic tale of then and now – some names you will still recognise while others have long since fallen into disuse.

Azumazeki or Jesse – call him what you will Chris Gould A boy from Hawaii once came to Japan and made enough waves and cut enough of a swathe through the local mindset of the time to be recognised as one of the most popular sekitori of all time. His name was Jesse – Azumazeki Oyakata of late – and this is a piece we have been keeping on ice for over two years.

Eric Evaluates Eric Blair Eric's observations go a long way in the world of sumo – the dying world of sumo in as far as WWW forum-based coverage goes – stats and all to back his point.

Natsu Basho Summary Chris Gould Chris G takes over Lon's slot and will hopefully prove to be a worthy successor to Lon's wonderful pieces these past few years. Have a read and see what you think but with Chris closer than most to sumo, you should get a few interesting insights.

Nagoya Basho 2009 - Ones To Watch Alexander Herrmann Nagoya and the oppressive heat of summer are already upon us and so too that means is the Nagoya OTW offering by our very own AH. Perhaps one of the more difficult jobs – predicting a rikishi's performance in an upcoming basho – AH has it down to a tee.

Heya Peek Chris Gould Isegahama-beya. The new building in Kinshicho may only have opened in late 2007, but it already plays host to an ozeki and a respected upper-maegashira.

Photo Bonanzas Chris Gould SFM's Ed CG puts his increasing camera skills through their paces with joint basho and museum bonanzas. With SFM the only non-Japanese language agency cleared to take images in the Sumo Museum – these are pics (of the Kokugikan's 100 years of history) you will see nowhere else. And, FWIW, the museum now turn to the SFM Ed and E-i-C for advice on exhibits and their labelling!

Sumo Menko Ryan Laughton Ryan completes his comprehensive menko database - the first of its kind on the WWW.

Amateur Angles Howard Gilbert Howard Gilbert makes a massive effort to cover both the recent Oceania tourney Down Under in Australia (where he took part himself) and also touches upon the latest ISF cancellation of a Sumo World Championship – the 2009 version intended for North Africa.

Kokugi Konnections Chris Gould Wicked, wicked, wicked – have a look and see what we mean. Arguably the very best yet!

Let's Hear From You Ichiro Katsuta Ichiro Katsuta, born in the 1970s and working in the city, explains how a relatively young Japanese man was converted into a sumo-lover.

Morph Corner Olivia Nagioff Morphing into form once more on SFM's hallowed dohyo - another collection of images unique in their ability to change shape, form and the like before 'reappearing' as they started out. An image of sumo unique to SFM.

Readers' Letters See what one of our readers thought about our last issue – all in, but particularly on the Koten piece by Michiko Fukuda.

SFM Cartoons Benny Loh & Stephen Thompson Sit back and enjoy this issue's cartoon bonanza courtesy of the SFM men in Thailand and Malaysia.

Sumo Odds & Ends One of the saddest parts of SFM for many a year. We will soon be losing one of our main men in form but not in spirit. Lon Howard writes to you all here to explain the situation.