Chiyotaikai's blog

[Harry 67]

After the discouraging report about him contemplating retirement I was looking forward to a new blog entry. Here it is:

皆さん、こんばんは！

今日は三重県の伊賀に行きました。

そこで目にしたのはなんと！！

全国土佐犬の横綱、豊国號！！

綺麗な黒い毛並みに傷は無く、体は筋肉の鎧を纏ってました！！

俺は9日から始まる大阪場所に豊国號から勇気を貰いました！！

豊国號、そのスタッフの皆さん今日はありがとうございましたm(_ _)m

Good day everyone!

Today I went to Mie prefecture's Iga!

Therefore look at what we saw!!

National Tosa Dog's Yokozuna, Toyokunigo!!

Clean (pretty) black hair lie unwounded, body's armor of muscle worn!

For the Osaka basho I begin on the 9th, I received courage from Toyokunigo!

To the Toyokunigo staff today: I thank you very much!

-----

Gambatte Taikai! I hope all the courage and power you have received from these places will do you good in Haru basho.

Edited March 20, 2008 by Harry

[Chiyomaru 0]

I will cross my fingers for him too, he will need it more than ever...

[Harry 67]

At long last, a new entry from Taikai! The first one during haru basho:

Everyone! Good evening!

Today it was possible for me to escape from my 11th kadoban (tears) I thank you very much for all your support!

At last year's September basho I was injured and I've been troubled and tormented by it ever since then; today I said it is possible to fulfil my only wish every day, with keiko and medical treatment my life went on but... now I am truly happy.

My excitement has not yet subsided and this blog entry is very messy but it is a report at least! (LOL)

Taikai

Edited March 20, 2008 by Harry

[Chiyomaru 0]

(Showing respect...) I am so very very happy for him! (Whistling...)

[Jonosuke 28]

It was his push to the throat that did the trick as Hakuho's body stretched out. From then on it was just the master at his art - pushing his oppoent down and getting out of the way.

He must have won so many with this and the one today was one of the most beautifully executed. I am sure his arm didn't hurt as much today.

[Chiyomaru 0]

It was his push to the throat that did the trick as Hakuho's body stretched out. From then on it was just the master at his art - pushing his oppoent down and getting out of the way.

He must have won so many with this and the one today was one of the most beautifully executed. I am sure his arm didn't hurt as much today.

And I think his desire to get his kachi koshi let his pain disappear.

[Harry 67]

March 30th entry:

It's been a long time, everyone! I was resting for a while (LOL).

Today for the first time I made okonomiyaki by myself [fried, battered vegetable pancakes] (LOL).

Because it was the first time I've made them they were too big to turn upside down (tears).

When I return to Tokyo I'll be practicing and publishing my blog again so enjoy!!

[Harry 67]

The first comment left on this blog said it was quite heroic for a man to be cooking and that Taikai just "ozeki-sized" the pancakes (Sigh...)

[Itchygao 0]

Harry:

Thank you so very much for continuing to bring us the translated blog. And we are indeed fortunate to have

"back up" translation as you continue your rapid progress in mastering a TREMENDOUSLY DIFFICULT language.

(More like three languages if you count the various styles.)

I'm sure many like myself would never know what was happening without these translations.

I am very grateful for your tireless and unselfish efforts.

Best Regards,

Itchygao

[Harry 67]

You're welcome.

[Chiyomaru 0]

I wish I saw it, Chiyotaikai baking ozeki sized pancakes :-P (Sigh...)

[Harry 67]

I wish I saw it, Chiyotaikai baking ozeki sized pancakes B-) :-P

Other blog commenters also requested pictures of Taikai cooking but perhaps there are none to be seen. Taikai appearing on a cooking show would be fun (Sigh...)

Edited March 31, 2008 by Harry

[Harry 67]

Still no new blog entry from Chiyotaikai in over 4 weeks but it is his birthday today so otanjoubi omedetou gozaimasu! Taikai is 32 years old today and in his 10th year as ozeki.

[Chiyomaru 0]

Happy Birthday Chiyotaikai (In jonokuchi...) I bought some cake to celebrate (Eating...)

[Harry 67]

After long silence (last entry March 30th) we have a few words from Chiyotaikai, perhaps an omen for the coming basho:

[Once again I can't seem to get the image to work -- it is of bird poop on a window.]

Suddenly to my house's window glass!

家の窓ガラスに突然！

Bird poop is smeared all over!

ウンチが張り付いた～！

A black kite? A raven?

トンビ？カラス？

However I laugh while thinking that luck is attached. (LOL)

でも運が付いたと思ったら笑けてきた。(笑)

[Note: is it also common in Japanese to think that it is good luck to be pooped on by a bird? My mother always told me that though I don't know if that is just a Hungarian thing.]

Edited May 9, 2008 by Harry

[kaiguma 0]

[Note: is it also common in Japanese to think that it is good luck to be pooped on by a bird? My mother always told me that though I don't know if that is just a Hungarian thing.]

Yes, it is common, but I was never sure whether it's a bit of dry ironic humor or does it come from a more serious traditional source... (Holiday feeling...)

[Jonosuke 28]

I think he is playing with words here.

"ウンチ"が 付いた

"Unn-chi" or bird doo-doo got stuck on the window.

And then he was inspired to think:

"運" が 付いた

Literally "Unn" is stuck on him.

In Japanese, good fortune comes is "Unn Ga Tsuku/Tsuita".

It made him laugh when he took it in such a way as the basho is coming up soon and he figured it may be a good omen for him.

[Manekineko 200]

[Note: is it also common in Japanese to think that it is good luck to be pooped on by a bird? My mother always told me that though I don't know if that is just a Hungarian thing.]

I don't know about Japanese (and I wouldn't like to be pooped on by one of their huge crows), but being pooped upon is considered lucky in Croatia, too. But then, we had quite a lot of Hungarian influence through history... Anyway, it's more of a consolation for the pooped than real luck, just like "bad luck in dice, good luck in love" (or vice versa).

[Harry 67]

Please take a look!!

見て下さい！！

Personalized Nike shoes!

名前入りのNIKEの靴！

It is last month's birthday present but I just received it today (LOL)

先月の誕生日プレゼントですが今日貰いました（笑）

I received various presents but this became the most special present to me.

色々なプレゼントを戴きましたが、これは俺にとって「何よりも特別なプレゼント」になりました。

Even if I'm becoming worn out, my whole life I'm taking care!

ボロボロになっても一生大事にします！

Thank you! Ysan.

ありがとう！Yさん。

Edited May 21, 2008 by Harry

[Harry 67]

And with this, I must wonder if Ryuji Hiroshima will jog off into the sunset soon...

[Chiyomaru 0]

And with this, I must wonder if Ryuji Hiroshima will jog off into the sunset soon...

:-P

[Jonosuke 28]

Earlier in the basho he was saying he was going all out for the kachikoshi as if his future was depending on. Now that he did not get it, he is backpedaling somewhat after pleading to his shisho to let him finish this basho regardless of how badly he may look on the dohyo.

The oyakata agreed. So more mystery. Is Kokonoe letting Chiyotaikai continue realizing he thinks this will be the last basho for his deshi or trying not dampen Taikai's enthusiasm to continue and come back strong in the Nagoya?

Right now Taikai looks pretty burned out mentally and physically. I think we all know his future by watching the next four bouts. If he can still beat the other top rikishi in the next four days, it may give him enough motivation to come back but if not then it will be all over. If an injury is the reason for his ineffective and limp sumo this basho then he can tell himself to make a good recovery and come back again but I just don't get that feeling. It appears more and more like the last basho of Wakanohana III.

[Kintamayama 45,299]

Right now Taikai looks pretty burned out mentally and physically. I think we all know his future by watching the next four bouts. If he can still beat the other top rikishi in the next four days, it may give him enough motivation to come back but if not then it will be all over. If an injury is the reason for his ineffective and limp sumo this basho then he can tell himself to make a good recovery and come back again but I just don't get that feeling. It appears more and more like the last basho of Wakanohana III.

If he loses all four, we'll see a "hard" 3-12. Not even Wakanohana III managed that..

[Asashosakari 19,463]

If he loses all four, we'll see a "hard" 3-12. Not even Wakanohana III managed that..

These five guys did, though. Remaining number of basho at the ozeki rank afterwards: 10, 6, 2, 10, 31. Just saying...

Taikai doesn't look any different to me than all the other times when he was clearly injured and couldn't put together a good bout if his life depended on it. Let's not all go panicky here just because it's happening again. (That's more for Jonosuke and Harry than Kinta.)

Edited May 21, 2008 by Asashosakari

[Harry 67]

He asked for permission to finish out Natsu and plans to go to Nagoya as well to try and escape a record 12th kadoban but we'll see. I don't know if they'll let an ineffective ozeki continue forever. I suppose if he goes MK in Nagoya to drop from ozeki perhaps he will let it go. I admire his spirit, that's for sure, but these days he doesn't look much like a "great barrier", sadly.