Kintamayama 45,145 Posted November 13, 2018 John no-borey 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Eikokurai 3,437 Posted November 13, 2018 2 hours ago, John Gunning said: With those 'Sumo 101' pieces I try and add in at least one piece of info that pehaps even longtime fans aren't aware of. The non-usage of certain colors for rikishi / sponor names for example in that one. Here's the list of '101' topics so far September 2018 The Ring The Belt Ring Names The Emperor’s Cup Ringside Judges The Topknot Tegata Sekitori Ryogoku Stables Sumo School Winning Techniques Yokozuna Senshuraku Life outside sumo / hobbies November 2018 Shonichi Chanko Nobori The next few are already written but if anyone has topics they'd like to see, by all means let's hear them. It's a intro series so nothing too esoteric, but as I say I'll try and mix in stuff for all levels. Thanks I’d like to know more about the specific role of the Oyakata within their heya. Do they have training plans for each rikishi? Do they demand/encourage certain wrestling styles or allow each rikishi to discover their own? I’m sure I read about one Oyakata who banned his guys from doing certain moves as he wanted them to emulate his own style. What else do they do besides their NSK duties and watching their rikishi train? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Yamanashi 3,847 Posted November 13, 2018 How do they decide how new gyoji and yobidashi are distributed among the heya? If a sekitori falls back into the unsalaried ranks, are there any perks that he maintains? Is there anything special about the salt used at the dohyo? How much do they prepare for each basho? The kabu holders populate the Oyakata ranks and other offices in the NSK. But jobs like heya manager, and assistants working around the basho: are they salaried employees of the NSK? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tochinofuji 384 Posted November 14, 2018 (edited) 3 hours ago, John Gunning said: With those 'Sumo 101' pieces I try and add in at least one piece of info that pehaps even longtime fans aren't aware of. The non-usage of certain colors for rikishi / sponor names for example in that one. Here's the list of '101' topics so far September 2018 The Ring The Belt Ring Names The Emperor’s Cup Ringside Judges The Topknot Tegata Sekitori Ryogoku Stables Sumo School Winning Techniques Yokozuna Senshuraku Life outside sumo / hobbies November 2018 Shonichi Chanko Nobori The next few are already written but if anyone has topics they'd like to see, by all means let's hear them. It's an intro series so nothing too esoteric, but as I say I'll try and mix in stuff for all levels. Thanks I'd love to hear more about the roles of a yokozuna's tachimochi and tsuyuharai, such as the history of the roles and whether they entail anything beyond appearing for dohyo-iri, as well as anything further on the tachi themselves (which smiths have produced the swords for the current crop of yokozuna, whether each yokozuna simply gets one or whether they have several made over the years, etc.). Might be a bit esoteric for Sumo 101, especially the sword portion, but hey, one rarely gets what they want if they don't ask. Edited November 14, 2018 by Tochinofuji 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Shinrei 47 Posted November 14, 2018 6 hours ago, John Gunning said: if anyone has topics they'd like to see, by all means let's hear them. SHOKKIRI ~ I like watching shokkiri. Love it when it's polished and performed with confidence. I've learned and gathered that... some rikishi volunteer for it, bits get dropped or tweaked or put in a different order, there can be more than one performing duo at a time, and the performers step aside if they reach Juryo. I'd like to know what they're saying (in Japanese and English) and I reckon there's even more information to share about it. I hope to come up with more topic ideas later. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Amamaniac 2,079 Posted November 14, 2018 (edited) While looking all over for John's Sumo 101 treatment on Sumo School (without any luck), I stumbled on his latest discourse on the world of Tokoyama hairdressers. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2018/11/14/sumo/sumo-hairdressers-require-many-years-training-specialized-tools/#.W-xFAy_Mx0I I'm going to go out on a limb and say he included the photo of Tochiozan getting coiffed as a nod to his victory today. Edited November 14, 2018 by Amamaniac 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Oshirokita 188 Posted November 14, 2018 19 hours ago, Tochinofuji said: I'd love to hear more about the roles of a yokozuna's tachimochi and tsuyuharai, such as the history of the roles and whether they entail anything beyond appearing for dohyo-iri, as well as anything further on the tachi themselves (which smiths have produced the swords for the current crop of yokozuna, whether each yokozuna simply gets one or whether they have several made over the years, etc.). Might be a bit esoteric for Sumo 101, especially the sword portion, but hey, one rarely gets what they want if they don't ask. I recall Doreen posted some info about the swords a couple of years back which I found very interesting. I too would like to learn more about the swords (symbolism, smiths, uses) and other esoterica about the tachimochi and tsuyuharai. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Otokonoyama 2,735 Posted November 15, 2018 Sumo: Injury-plagued Kisenosato pulls out of Kyushu meet Quote Grand champion Kisenosato withdrew from the ongoing Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament Thursday citing a knee injury, the latest in a string of setbacks that will again raise the prospect of his retirement. The news comes a day after Kisenosato, the first Japan-born wrestler in 19 years to gain promotion to sumo's highest rank, suffered his fourth consecutive defeat at the 15-day meet at Fukuoka Kokusai Center where he was the sole yokozuna competing. "I entered the meet in good condition but sustained a new injury (to my right knee) on opening day," said Kisenosato, who has struggled to shake nagging injuries to his knee, ankle, and chest and arm muscles. "I went ahead and competed from the second day onwards but I was in far from my best form, thus the withdrawal. I'm very sorry. I'm disappointed that I couldn't live up to the expectations," he said. After missing eight straight meets, the most ever by a yokozuna, Kisenosato finished with a 10-5 record at the September tournament to quiet fans who had been calling for him to bring his career to an end. In Fukuoka, Kisenosato became the first yokozuna in 87 years to lose four bouts in a row to open a basho. Miyagiyama, who got off to a dismal 0-4 start in January 1931, was the most recent before him. Speaking to reporters after his announcement to pull out, Kisenosato repeatedly apologized for not being able to last the full 15 days, while also speaking positively about his next opportunity to compete on the raised ring. "I do want to put on a good performance again. I'll have to undergo medical tests (on my knee). First, I have to heal the injury, then I'll think. My job is to do what it takes to get back on the dohyo," he said. The Tagonoura stable wrestler has only completed one full tournament since becoming the 72nd grand champion in sumo history in January 2017. It is the 10th time in his career he is not going the full distance in a grand tournament. Kisenosato's fifth-day opponent Tamawashi wins by forfeit... https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20181115/p2g/00m/0sp/038000c 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sakura 1,489 Posted November 15, 2018 He's actually completed two full tournaments since becoming Yokozuna. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kintamayama 45,145 Posted November 15, 2018 John on the shit akubeya 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ack! 465 Posted November 16, 2018 On 13/11/2018 at 15:44, Yamanashi said: If a sekitori falls back into the unsalaried ranks, are there any perks that he maintains? How about an article specifically about Toyonoshima with the above in mind? That way there is a happy ending! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kintamayama 45,145 Posted November 16, 2018 6 hours ago, Ack! said: That way there is a happy ending! Costs more. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kintamayama 45,145 Posted November 16, 2018 John on the Ken Show 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Otokonoyama 2,735 Posted November 17, 2018 Sumo 101: Tsuriyane (Raised roof) Quote One of the most striking sights in sumo is the giant roof suspended over the ring. The 5.9-metric-ton structure is modeled on the roofs of Shinto shrines and held in place by 2.2-cm thick wires that can bear almost five times as much weight — meaning there is little danger of it falling. From the mid 1700s, when the roof was introduced, it was supported by pillars in the four corners, but when sumo started being televised in the 1950s those were removed to improve the viewing experience. Now colored tassels hang from the tsuriyane — as it’s called in Japanese — instead. They are symbolic of the four mythological creatures in traditional East Asian astronomy... https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2018/11/17/sumo/sumo-101-tsuriyane-raised-roof/ 2 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Otokonoyama 2,735 Posted November 19, 2018 Sumo 101: Oyakata (stablemasters) Quote Sumo is not a team sport, but neither is it an individual one. While wrestlers face opponents alone in the ring, their everyday existence is intertwined with others to a far greater degree than any other athlete. The closest relationship is with the oyakata (stablemaster). Unlike athletes such as golfers or boxers, who can change coaches or managers at will, a sumo wrestler is tied to his oyakata for the duration of his sumo life... https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2018/11/18/sumo/sumo-101-oyakata-stablemasters/ 1 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Otokonoyama 2,735 Posted November 19, 2018 This was something interesting that came up in the Google feed. Legendary Tochinoshin Given Book Dedicated to 50th Anniversary of Rustavi Ensemble Quote The Georgian State Folk Song and Dance Academic Ensemble "Rustavi" is holding a 50-year anniversary tour in Japan. The tour, which started in Ichikawa (China), includes 21 cities of Japan and involves 33 concerts. All members of the Ensemble are taking part in the Japanese tour, and have left the more than 100,000 spectators who have so far seen them there, both surprised and excited. The final concert will be held on November 21 in the city of Osaka. Within the framework of Japanese tour, the members of the Ensemble met legendary Georgian sumo wrestler Tochinoshin (born Levan Gorgadze) and handed to him a unique book dedicated to the 50th anniversary of Rustavi Ensemble, written by the Founder and Artistic Director of the Ensemble, Anzor Erkomaishvili. The audio recordings of 400 Georgian songs and chants performed by the Ensemble and 16 compact discs are attached to the book... http://georgiatoday.ge/news/13242/Legendary-Tochinoshin-Given-Book-Dedicated-to-50th-Anniversary-of-Rustavi-Ensemble 1 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RaeucherLax 288 Posted November 19, 2018 John on Ozeki 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Otokonoyama 2,735 Posted November 20, 2018 Sumo 101: Gyoji Quote Sumo referees are arguably the most elaborately outfitted arbiters in the sporting world. The brightly colored kimonos they wear in the ring provide a dramatic contrast to wrestlers clad only in mawashi. The intricateness of the attire, which is based on traditional clothing, increases as gyoji (referees) move up in rank and seniority... https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2018/11/20/sumo/sumo-101-gyoji 2 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Otokonoyama 2,735 Posted November 21, 2018 Intense training part of sumo life Quote Amateur sumo is a sport and nothing more. Participants lead lives away from the ring and its governing body has long-standing aspirations to one day be accepted into the Olympic Games. Professional sumo, on the other hand, is a lifestyle. Wrestlers are never off the clock. A rikishi is a rikishi 24 hours a day until the moment his topknot is cut off at a retirement ceremony. Because of that, training in sumo is not a means to an end, but rather an intrinsic part of being a wrestler... https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2018/11/21/sumo/intense-training-part-sumo-life/#.W_VcfGQzZz8 2 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Otokonoyama 2,735 Posted November 22, 2018 John has been a real stalwart of the JT sumo section, and continues creating content for beginners and savvy fans alike in today's instalment. Sumo 101: Museums Quote It’s no surprise that sumo, an activity hundreds (possibly thousands) of years old, has several museums solely dedicated to its history. What is surprising however is just how small the official Japan Sumo Association one is... https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2018/11/22/sumo/sumo-101-museums/#.W_aZRGQzZz8 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Amamaniac 2,079 Posted November 22, 2018 Miki looks at the unimpressive annual win totals for last year and this year in the latest Sumo ABC instalment: http://the-japan-news.com/news/article/0005345773 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Otokonoyama 2,735 Posted November 24, 2018 Sumo 101: Wrestlers’ clothing and footwear Quote Sumo is a world where success or failure in the ring has direct and tangible effects on a wrestler’s life. The more you win, the better your situation becomes in many ways. One visible sign of how well a rikishi is doing is what’s on his feet... https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2018/11/23/sumo/sumo-101-wrestlers-clothing-footwear/ 2 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kintamayama 45,145 Posted November 25, 2018 Sumo 101-Ring entering ceremonies 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Flyric 94 Posted November 25, 2018 Quote https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2018/11/23/sumo/sumo-101-wrestlers-clothing-footwear/ ... Specialized plain white undergarments that come with outsized neck holes (to avoid messing up the topknot) are standard, but it’s common for rikishi to wear boxer shorts with all kinds of cute and colorful patterns and designs. That so offended the sensibilities of former Japan Sumo Association chairman Hanaregoma that he issued a public demand in 2011 for rikishi to exercise underwear restraint. John Gunning answering the questions we were all wondering 1 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Otokonoyama 2,735 Posted November 25, 2018 Komusubi Takakeisho wins 1st career championship Quote Komusubi Takakeisho won his first career championship on Sunday, the final day of the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament. The 22-year-old Takakeisho, competing in just his 12th tournament in sumo's top flight, beat No. 3 maegashira Nishikigi (8-7), catching a lucky break to finish the tournament with 13 wins. "Since I was little, my father and I shared an ambition that I might make it as a professional (sumo wrestler). This is so great to get results like this," Takakeisho said. "This tournament I was able to wrestle without concern for wins and losses but with a focus on the quality of my bouts. I think that led to getting this many wins." Takakeisho then had to wait for the result of the match between ozeki Takayasu and sekiwake Mitakeumi. Needing a win to force a championship playoff, Takayasu fell to his third loss, letting his first career championship slip through his fingers. In his bout against Nishikigi, Takakeisho was under pressure from the opening charge and found himself sliding backward to the straw bales. Just as it looked as if the komusubi's feet would slip out from under him and he began to teeter forward, fortune came to his assistance. Perfectly poised to slap his opponent down, Nishikigi instead shoved him back toward the straw, keeping Takakeisho from falling. Takakeisho then plowed forward, and when Nishikigi's left foot slipped, the komusubi slapped him down. "I was nervous today, but kept reminding myself that I was strong enough, and that was a key," Takakeisho said. Takayasu was also forced back on the initial charge, but fought his way back to mid-ring, where he and Mitakeumi locked up for a prolonged pause. When the ozeki tried to break the stalemate, the sekiwake executed a beltless arm through that left Takayasu on his back and rolling his eyes in disappointment. It was just the fifth time Mitakeumi had beaten Takayasu in their 15 career bouts. "I expected I would have to fight a championship playoff and I was preparing for that. I'm glad it was decided before that," Takakeisho said. Takakeisho, who had missed his chance to wrap up the championship when he slipped and fell in his bout against Takayasu on Saturday, won both a "Shukun-sho" Outstanding Performance prize, and "Kanto-sho" Fighting Spirit prize. No. 13 maegashira Onosho earned his third career Fighting Spirit prize after winning the first makuuchi-division match of the day to finish with an 11-4 record... https://japantoday.com/category/sports/sumo-komusubi-takakeisho-captures-1st-career-championship 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
