Jikan-mae

[Kirinoumi 14]

Does anyone remember the last time we had a jikan-mae bout in Makuuchi? I have only been able to watch sumo intermittently after leaving Japan three years ago, but it seems like there hasn't been one for five years at least. Why is that? Are any of the following true?

1) The Sumo Kyokai has made a conscious effort to get rid of it.

2) Rikishi are just not as in sync with each other as they used to be. (Have matta increased as well?)

3) Japanese society is changing, and they are losing that famous ability to communicate without speaking.

4) The increase in the number of foreign rikishi is causing a loss of empathy.

5) Rikishi are not as intense as they used to be, so they take longer to psych themselves up.

6) Some sort of commercial or business interest makes it necessary to stick to the schedule.

7) Jikan-mae only became common in the 90s, and we have just gone back to the normal state of not having them.

Whatever the reason, I miss them. It seems like we have fewer good niramiai (stare downs), too before bouts, too. I always used to look forward to Akebono versus Takatoriki just for the pre-bout glaring. What does everyone think?

[Kintamayama 45,097]

I don't think anyone knows the reason, but I miss them too. OTOH, Kitazakura in Juryo seems to make a point of doing at least one jikan-mae per basho.

And yes, I miss those too..

* I even saw one live at KKan back in 1998 involving Takatouriki and someone I can't remember.

[Peterao 3]

Yeah! And when was the last time we had a mizuiri in Makunouchi? Or a rikishi calling for a mono-ii? Or nekodamashi? Or a jikanmae, where both rikishi clap their hands in each other's faces before doing mizuiri sumo that leads to Robocop saying "Guys, I think you need to talk this over a bit."

That's real sumo, dammit!

OTOH, Kitazakura in Juryo seems to make a point of doing at least one jikan-mae per basho.

I think he was doing them fairly regularly with Hochiyama. Unfortunately, he's fallen back to Makushita, and shows no signs of coming back during what remains of Kitazakura's career.

Edited May 27, 2008 by Peterao

[Asojima 2,874]

I was a sumo nut throughout the 70's while in Japan, missed out completely on the 80's and 90's and came back in this decade thanks to the internet. It is a much different world. In the 70's, the shikiri was as interesting as the actual match. The rikishi had personalities and, I think, a lot greater respect for each other and the sport than they do now. Niramiai, jikan-mae and game playing were common, and fun. Most of the sumo was power, yotsu lockups, and you could expect a mizuiri every day or two. Today, there are only there are only about 15 sekitori that I can identify on sight or get excited about. Most are bulldozing or pull down automatons. The ceremonies that used to be performed are now plastic replicas of bygone delights.

I have to get off on my nostalgic rant every 6 months or so. I will now go back to sleep for a while.

[Jonosuke 28]

* I even saw one live at KKan back in 1998 involving Takatouriki and someone I can't remember.

Probably against Akebono.

Takatoriki used to kill Akebono with his and he was the master of getting Bono agitated.

[Zentoryu 154]

I can remember Akebono and Chiyotaikai getting into some good stare downs as well.

[Hananotaka 8]

For me, my favorite niramiai was Ozeki Musashimaru vs. Ozeki Takanonami on Senshuraku, Haru Basho 1999. New Ozeki Chiyotaikai was gone with a broken nose, and amazingly, the three Yokozuna followed in short order (I think Wakanohana was actually kyujo before the start of the basho). Ultimately, it fell on these two rikishi to prop up the basho, and they did, neither losing once they became co-leaders. And then, on musubi-no-ichiban on Senshuraku, they gave a magnificent niramiai, really exciting the crowd. It was the greater in retrospect after learning that Takanonami and Maru actually got on really well, to the point that Takanonami openly wept when Maru retired.

[Kirinoumi 14]

. . .And then, on musubi-no-ichiban on Senshuraku, they gave a magnificent niramiai, really exciting the crowd. It was the greater in retrospect after learning that Takanonami and Maru actually got on really well, to the point that Takanonami openly wept when Maru retired.

Interesting. I wonder if it took the extra glaring to get them psyched up enough that they could go full speed against a close friend.

Can anyone offer some thoughts on why these elements of the sport seem to be vanishing?

[Hananotaka 8]

. . .And then, on musubi-no-ichiban on Senshuraku, they gave a magnificent niramiai, really exciting the crowd. It was the greater in retrospect after learning that Takanonami and Maru actually got on really well, to the point that Takanonami openly wept when Maru retired.

Interesting. I wonder if it took the extra glaring to get them psyched up enough that they could go full speed against a close friend.

Nah. Nami and Maru hold the record for the most matches of any two rikishi, and 98% of them went off without any kind of niramiai. I think this was a rare instance where it was just the two of them, friendly rivals, the spotlight fully on them for all the marbles, and they simply got into sync.

Can anyone offer some thoughts on why these elements of the sport seem to be vanishing?

I don't know that it is. Kitazakura is certainly doing a lot of salt throwing, niramiai, and jikan-mae. If anything, I imagine there's an ebb and flow.