Asameshimae

Oh I don't know, my friends regularly use irony. 'Yoku yatta ne' is about as condescending as you can get. A British friend of mine used to work as a chauffeur. He once had three Japanese businessmen in the back of his BMW, one of whom was clearly very important. Unfortunately for him, the spare tire had come loose and was bumping around in the back making quite a racket. One of the underlings leaned forward to him and whispered conspiratorially 'Do you have a problem with the car?' He explained, and the man continued, 'would you like to fix it?' After stopping the car and fixing the spare tire, he got back in and started the engine, at which point the head honcho leaned forward and said, dripping with sarcasm, 'and we thought BMWs always made that noise.' And then all three laughed hysterically. I think, as someone alluded to earlier with regards to irony, it is more that different situations/events are considered appropriate for humour/irony in Japan than in the US/UK etc.? Situations where humour is appropriate are culturally specific too, after all.

"Still, it takes a good measure of thought and skills to feel comfortable with Americans." I find that comment very prejudiced and am (sob) (Shaking head...) hurt!... Sorry, couldn't help myself. :'-( I wonder, have you lived for any length of time in any of the other countries in all of these continents of "Europe, Latin America, and Africa" that you describe? It may not just be that you are more comfortable with these people because of their national personalities, but that you are more comfortable being with other foreigners who are in the same boat as you. I speak Japanese and get along well with Japanese people, but I am always a little more at ease hanging out with other foreigners because we share that "outsider" bond and give each other a little more slack about what comes out of our mouths. I am not saying this is your situation, I am just pondering. I really shouldn't have used the word sarcasm; I should have used the word irony. I am not saying Japanese people don't understand or use teasing or joking, I am saying they don't generally use the specific tool of irony, which dictionary.com defines as: "the use of words to convey a meaning that is the opposite of its literal meaning: the irony of her reply,

It is interesting the things you hear. I have also heard that Americans don't get deadpan humor, which I also don't believe to be true. There are many examples, but a primary example I can think of is the late, great Buster Keaton who was considered the master of deadpan humor and this was before sound even made it to the movies.

I wonder if Obama considered "respectfully" declining the Prize? Even that would have ruffled some feathers. Is it too early? Yes, definitely. But it's a done deal. Let's hope something can be made of it. Something good and positive and lasting.

Jonosuke, if there is one thing you have caught me at, it is being off topic, so I decided to start a new thread in the Japan discussion forum.

Don't know about witty, but certainly sarcastic. It still amazes me to this day how little Japanese people understand sarcasm. It is just not part of their culture; certainly no where near to the extent it is a part of many other cultures.

If he can't achieve any anonymity in Roppongi, he can't get it anywhere (at least in Japan). Even at the top in sumo, they don't have it that good. The pro sumo life is certainly a lot more fun to watch than it must be to live.

I knew almost none of this. It is good to see the other side of things, and see her real love for the game, and the things she has done to promote sumo, and to make herself even more qualified for the job than she was. If they ever let a woman on the dohyo, she should be the first... wait, she'd never go for it... ;-)

Yep, good read. I think a lot of people feel this way. I know I do. Yet, the Sumo Association must play it's part and chastise where it must, as is it's nature, and the drama continues. More power to Asa. More power to the JSA.

Yep yep. And I believe anyone making the argument vehemently that this stuff goes on still likes sumo enough to keep watching and keep commenting. Which is why I don't feel the need to get heated up about defending either point or getting heated up about the vehemence of either side's argument. The argument itself makes it all the more interesting to see how the likes of Chiyotaikai can pull off a kachikoshi in November short of an amazing recovery of his former ability or an amazing simulation of such a recovery pulled off by him, and say maybe 5 or 6 of his opponents.

He said that her, the reporter, following him and filming and interviewing him was supposed to be about his life and thoughts, and not about his sumo performance or how he expects to do in the next basho, etc.

Just finished it. Good stuff. The guy says a lot of things that wouldn't make the kyokai or people who want a yokozuna to toe the line happy. I wonder if recent criticism has anything to with some of his own quotes: (what did he learn from the whole injury/soccer in Mongolia thing?) He learned that Japan is a country where people get riled up to easily about other people's business and an apology is expected. (what do you want to do after sumo?) Go some place the exact opposite of here. (I don't think he met it as a slight on Japan, but it seems pretty clear he doesn't want to be taking tickets outside the Kokugikan..) (reflecting back on things (controveries) are there anything things you'd like to do differently in the future?) Don't hold your breath.

Watching this, I just noticed my man is left-handed! Can't believe I didn't know this factoid. Gotta admit I like the guy. I was actually pretty tired of him during his basho streak, but now that he is the scrappy, maligned (yes, in many ways deservedly) underdog (well, sort of), I like him all over again. He's got enough personality and talent for 10 rikishi.

All tested negative, it was announced today. Hey, I don't keep up with the details of this as much as I did when the Wakanoho news broke. Can I ask: Are they still testing only for recreational drugs (or just pot?) or are they now testing for steroids etc. as well?

Regardless of arguments about the legitimacy of a number of Ozeki wins, Kaio continues breaking records. He will pass up Takamiyama for most top division tournaments when he does Kyushu. And if he could manage to squeak out 10 wins (is that too much to ask of an Ozeki?), he would pass up Kitanoumi and Chiyonofuji to take most top division wins ever. Maybe being back home will inspire him to achieve this as well. Knowing Kaio, it will take him two tournaments... I'll be rooting for him.

Characteristics of the wabi-sabi aesthetic include asymmetry, asperity, simplicity, modesty, intimacy, and the suggestion of natural processes. I am not sure I have ever heard a living thing described with that term, nor am I sure I would want a yokozuna who exudes most of these qualities. But to each his own.

I remember skimming past his name. I'm gonna add him, b/c I might refer back to this post later. Kaio 5 Chiyotaikai 3 Konishiki 3 Shimizugawa 3 Tochiazuma 3 Hokutenyu 2 Kotonishiki 2 Kaiketsu 2 Kotokaze 2 Takanohana the first 2 Toyokuni 2 Wakashimazu 2

I looked it up and went back to the as far back as when the 1909 yusho system was put in place and Kaio is 2 yusho ahead of any non-yokozuna winners below him (assuming I didn't miss anyone) Kaio 5 Chiyotaikai 3 Konishiki 3 Shimizugawa 3 Tochiazuma 3 Hokutenyu 2 Kotonishiki 2 Kaiketsu 2 Kotokaze 2 Takanohana the first 2 Toyokuni 2 interesting stuff...

Hey, five is still pretty impressive. More than any other non-yokozuna. That's another record. Ha! That IS something!

Don't forget he is only 27 yusho from passing Chiyonofuji in another category. Can he do it? Oh the suspense. Stranger things have happened! Oh wait, no they haven't.. (Sign of approval...)

I can see the 100 basho, nice round number. I am less optomistic about the 1000 victories. Maybe I am a pessimist, or maybe I can't think that far into the future... (Funny, I changed my avatar, but the change has not "set"...herm...)

I am probably just forgetting, but I didn't see much mention of Tochinonada here (well I do have a day job). See his lackluster performance was by far the most heart breaking thing for me to watch this basho. He is such a shy, nice guy and that ugly but cute puss of his... ah, I hope hope it's not the beginning of the end, I really do. I know falling to Juryo is not the end of the world, but doing so without a peep is more worrisome. Don't give up big guy!

Yeah, but there is the added problem of thousands of years of radioactivity that hurricanes can't touch. I agree that I would be astounded if humans were around to see the end of the world, but I have grown quite attached to them regardless.

Now, there's an idea! I think I'm in.

I agree with this logic. You can see the same attitude with the Giants, who people simply expect to always be the best and win the Japan Series half the time. I remember when Matsui was still in the Japan and the Giants put him somewhere way in the outfield (I am no baseball expert...) just so he could keep his streak of perfect attendance and not go on the injured list... I think you could even extend it to the LDP one party rule that so very recently ended. People could have voted the LDP out of power any number of times, but they kept them in b/c it just seemed nicer that way. Having said all that, if I have to see Chiyotaikai go 2-6 again on kadoban and then miraculously win six in a row or some such again, enough will have been enough. Though I think a lot of fans wouldn't put up with it.