Tsuchinoninjin

I don’t intend to kink shame, but my perception of those who eagerly rushed to endorse these kinds of activities may have changed.

Yeah, that kind of cheeky end around is a bad idea in Japan.

Snowballs chance in hell something like that makes a positive impression on the decision makers.

The koenkai statement feels really weird. Not sure what they are trying to achieve with that.

Maybe the young oyakata is Terunofuji.

Hoshoryu really had the legs underneath him for the playoff - a really nice study of sumo being done through the legs. I didn’t think they’d promote him. I am surprised people are cranky about it though. If they hadn’t promoted him people would’ve been upset they let his uncles past actions affect their judgement, there’s really no crowd pleasing decision here it seems.

It’s the wrong time of year, but I wonder if they can take advantage of coolbiz or not.

Natto created a channel on VKontakte.

Chill out and let the days go by eh

Anhibiki ms16e

You gotta go on a lot of harsh medicine for that, good luck to him. Absolutely amazing by Chie.

I am thinking of these below but also Kagayaki and Kotoeko within the past two years as well.

They've been underdemoting Juryo for a while now. The Shimanoumi plot armor being the most famous example. In the last 6 basho before kyushuu Daishoho has been 40-50, but only lost 2 ranks. A banzuke luck rating of +8. Kyujo doesn't matter, Shimazuumi on 21-24 over 3 basho but up 2 ranks (+5 luck) Then of course the master himself Shimanoumi, 80-100 over 12 basho but up 4 ranks (+24 luck!!) Makuuchi elevator rikishi typically have big 'luck' ratings just because that is how the ceiling of Makuuchi works out (8-7s getting over promoted to fill big voids), but down here there has been a conscious decision to under demote. It also seems like demoted from Makuuchi rikishi don't get this 'protection' their first basho back in Juryo for whatever reason. Just spitballing, maybe this is an attempt to discourage yaocho? I don't think its a kabu thing, too many rikishi that are too far away from qualifying for a kabu getting this treatment.

I looked at this earlier and the ratio of new recruits vs the demographics of Japan from 2019 and 1992 are roughly the same. That is to say the interest in sumo is still the same but the demographic crisis of Japan is real. I don’t think they will be forced to add in another foreigner slot. Immigration into Japan for regular work is increasing quite a bit, so naturalized non ethnic Japanese coming into sumo will become more regular in the future. In any case, it’s not like there are promising foreign prospects being turned away due to lack of slots, so it’s debatable if allowing more foreigners will actually result in more foreigners.

I think Hoshoryuu also tried to plant his foot directly on the white line which might have a different amount of grip.