Sadogatake Beya Jungyo Amsterdam 5th 6th June

[Kintamayama 45,111]

The rijicho has been asked to reconsider the fate of the Amsterdam Jungyo by an envoy of the Dutch Embassy in Japan, who met with him and with Sadogatake Oyakata yesterday, stressing the fact that there have only been three cases of the flu in the Netherlands so far. "I could not give him any answers at this stage.. Even if there is a one in a million chance of someone getting infected with the oinkflu and stuff, I do not wish to cause trouble to the Kyokai..", explained Sadogatake Oyakata. "I'm leaving this up to the shisho!", said Musashigawa Oyakata.

If it does happen in the end, they have to leave on June 2nd, so a final decision is imminent.

As an aside, the Israel jungyo was "on and off" till a few hours before the flight, with all sorts of stuff being discussed, causing many people to lose hair.

Edited May 27, 2009 by Kintamayama

[Mutti 0]

I've contacted the Dutch sumo organisation (sumobond.nl) about this. They have not mentioned one word about the event being sold out, they've just asked if I needed tickets after sending them an e-mail. So I don't know.......... shouldn't they know about this? This event not even being sure yet and the possibility that tickets are no longer available?

[kenzo 5]

The event is a sell out however if you know the right people tickets are always available thus the local sumo federation probably can help with tickets and probably do know what the situation is (Sign of disapproval...)

[Fay 1,677]

Well ... the tickets arrived today or yesterday, but maybe I can burn them in my non existent fireside.

[Kintamayama 45,111]

The word I was waiting for is finally being thrown around- Kokusaimondai - the dreaded "international incident" with all its historical connotations. The Dutch government is extremely unhappy with how things are unfolding in this matter and have said so to the Japanese government. Articles are saying the flu is a pretext and that the real reason is drug freedom in Amsterdam. The Dutch are finding it hard to understand why the trip was already authorized, and is now suddenly being canceled. The backlash has caught the Kyokai by surprise. "7000 Japanese who are living here are involved in all the preparations. A lot of Dutch people are waiting in anticipation as well!", said the JCC (Japan Chamber of Commerce) people who are organizing the jungyo. "We'd like it to happen. The Dutch Royal Family is interested in attending. We are planning in bringing earth for the dohyo from Germany. We are now working hard to convince the Foreign ministry to make this happen!", said a clerk working on the jungyo from Japan. This jungyo has been planned for the the last two years, with ex-riji Kitanoumi and current riji Musashigawa both giving it the green light, the latter meeting Dutch Embassy officials. A week ago voices calling for cancellation started being heard. No one actually said "DO NOT GO"- it was more mumblings along the line of "It's better not to go at this time.. Are you willing to take responsibility? Are you sure negative results (possible drug tests) won't be found before Nagoya?"- pressure Sadogatake Oyakata apparently could not withstand.

The Kyokai hoped the Dutch would leave it at that, but they didn't. Embassy officials met with Kyokai men voicing their extreme displeasure with the current turn of events. 7400 tickets have already been sold, hotels and flights have been booked- add all these numbers and you get a loss of a few 10 million yen. "Everybody knows Holland is lenient with drugs. Canceling two weeks before the trip makes no sense at all. Even if the reason is the flu like they say, they could have approached us a month ago!", said an agitated JCC spokesman.

The JCC was planning on making a final decision yesterday, but they were asked to wait another day.

"I was just giving my advice", said the rijicho. "I am sorry to cause such trouble to the Dutch people, but the rijicho has advised me, and I can't cause the Kyokai trouble either..", said Sadogatake, between a rock and a hard place.

So, final decision-today.

Edited May 28, 2009 by Kintamayama

[Mutti 0]

I'm no expert whatsoever, but I really don't get this. Ok, the flu IS a problem and so is drugs (and the Dutch drug-freedom) but disease is everywhere and personally I'd say a sumo wrestler is more likely to eat a bunch of french fries at our worldfamous "FEBO" (snackbar) than he will be found trying to hide in a "coffeeshop". Right?

So.......... decision is everything's cancelled?

BTW thx for the nice words, but I really don't know any "right people/persons" (Clapping wildly...) I just asked the sumo organisation overhere and I don't know anything yet; and also if the beya doesn't come the Japan Festival in Amstelveen will also look a lot different, that's for sure

[kenzo 5]

I have just been informed that the Jungyo will go ahead as planned.

[ilovesumo 12]

So please write it down:

Sadogatake comes?

I am glad the organisators did not leave it at that "better not go".

They have to understand the "non-Japanese way of thinking" as well.

It will be a great event I am sure. So glad! Yehaaaaaa (Clapping wildly...)

Edited May 28, 2009 by ilovesumo

[Kintamayama 45,111]

Papers are confirming that the Cohen is back on track. "We've come all this way and to cancel now will cause the Kyokai a lot of problems. I will be taking full responsibility for the rikishi's conduct over there, and will see to it that they will be wearing masks ", said Sadogatake Oyakata. A doctor will be accompanying the rikishi as well. "Under the watchful, responsible eyes of their shisho, I'm sure the rikishi will be behaving reliably!", summed up Musashigawa rijicho.

[kenzo 5]

Papers are confirming that the Cohen is back on track.

I thought it was Koen ?I understand that in Israel it would have been a Cohen......

Anyway we are really pleased here that the Mexican stand off is finished and we get going and Sadogatake Beya will be coming to The Nethelands (Clapping wildly...)

[Kintamayama 45,111]

Papers are confirming that the Cohen is back on track.

I thought it was Koen ?I understand that in Israel it would have been a Cohen......

Anyway we are really pleased here that the Mexican stand off is finished and we get going and Sadogatake Beya will be coming to The Nethelands (Clapping wildly...)

Indeed. Koen, which in Dutch, supposedly means "manful".

From the minute they will land till they leave, it should be a lot of fun-their whole organization is superb. The guy to get friendly with is Shiratama Oyakata-he's the guy with the "word"..

Edited May 28, 2009 by Kintamayama

[Onnagumo 4]

Papers are confirming that the Cohen is back on track.

(Clapping wildly...) Phew.....

(Clapping wildly...)

Indeed. Koen, which in Dutch, supposedly means "manful".

indeed yes. Only, in Dutch that word is pronounced not like "cohen" but more like "coon". It's an old word, but it's still often used in novels about knights.

It's also a common boy name.

[Mutti 0]

Indeed, phew....... Major PHEW though! (Clapping wildly...) !!!!!!!! I'm so happy, also that we're able to go!!!!! yes yes yes

[kenzo 5]

Hi , if anyone still needs any tickets , please send a PM there can still be a few found . See you all there !!!! (Clapping wildly...)

[Pippooshu 1]

Hi, I'm an italian new entry in this wonderful forum. I'm a Sumo lover, a Kotooshu's fan and a sumo blog writer (www.latavernadipippooshu.blogspot.com). I'm not sure to have known so well...the Amsterdam Jungyo is confirmed??? I've reserved two tickets and I would know about the appointment fot the payment and taking with the great Martina! If the event is confirmed I'm very happy! Please, gimme an answer when you know! (Clapping wildly...)

[Fay 1,677]

Hi, I'm an italian new entry in this wonderful forum. I'm a Sumo lover, a Kotooshu's fan and a sumo blog writer (www.latavernadipippooshu.blogspot.com). I'm not sure to have known so well...the Amsterdam Jungyo is confirmed??? I've reserved two tickets and I would know about the appointment fot the payment and taking with the great Martina! If the event is confirmed I'm very happy! Please, gimme an answer when you know! (Clapping wildly...)

Seems it will find place now - still fingers crossed. I will send you a pm for more.

[Sasanishiki 57]

personally I'd say a sumo wrestler is more likely to eat a bunch of french fries at our worldfamous "FEBO" (snackbar) than he will be found trying to hide in a "coffeeshop". Right?

Well one could follow the other...

[Treblemaker 254]

I have to add that I'm glad people in the right spots made the right decisions.

It's just funny... fearing the worst in Amsterdam, whatever "it" may be can't be any worse than the worst in Tokyo. Considering that Tokyo has the population larger than several USA States combined, or even a few European countries, and almost anything can be bought from a vending machine, it's a lot easier to lose a rikishi in there than in Amsterdam.

If I were xenophobic (which I'm obviously not), I would probably have more concerns about going to Tokyo than to Amsterdam.

I think the next jungyo should be planned for Mexico City.

[ilovesumo 12]

Well,　more dangerous or not..... I went on my jogging tour in the darkness (cause I am shy...fat girls don't wanna be seen while on a jogging tour...) from Asakusa over Ueno back to Kuramae. No fear. (Typing at computer...)

[Mutti 0]

personally I'd say a sumo wrestler is more likely to eat a bunch of french fries at our worldfamous "FEBO" (snackbar) than he will be found trying to hide in a "coffeeshop". Right?

Well one could follow the other...

Oh yeah, the munchies............ right, sorry 'bout that.

However, that would be highly irresponsible and even though rikishi are human as well, I don't see that happening. And I still don't think that is or was one of the reasons to try and cancel everything (Typing at computer...)

[ilovesumo 12]

First of all, these are the guys who had already been tested and found negative after the Scandals, secondly, why would anybody be so stupid???

Nothing will happen, it will be a great event. Period.

[Pippooshu 1]

First of all, these are the guys who had already been tested and found negative after the Scandals, secondly, why would anybody be so stupid???

Nothing will happen, it will be a great event. Period.

I'm agree. It's must be stupid to drug yourself in Amsterdam and during a testing age...I thing will be a wonderful event. I hope to meet them around the city to make photos with them... (Typing at computer...)

[kenzo 5]

I hope to meet them around the city to make photos with them... (Typing at computer...)

Well it should not be hard to miss them , they will be the only big guys in kimonos wearing face masks (In love...) Seriously I do not think that they will be given too much free reign to roam around in A'dam, especially after the last 10 turbulent days with regard to their coming/not coming here.

[Pippooshu 1]

I hope to meet them around the city to make photos with them... (Typing at computer...)

Well it should not be hard to miss them , they will be the only big guys in kimonos wearing face masks (In love...) Seriously I do not think that they will be given too much free reign to roam around in A'dam, especially after the last 10 turbulent days with regard to their coming/not coming here.

Probably it's right. Also b'cause the Sadogatake Oyakata will be afraid about drugs using around coffee shops... :-)

[Treblemaker 254]

First of all, these are the guys who had already been tested and found negative after the Scandals, secondly, why would anybody be so stupid???

Heh..

What a great, rhetorical question!

At the bottom of all of my posts is the quote: "Lex ingenii fieri non potest." Latin for, "You can't legislate intelligence." In other words, stupid people exist. Live with it, accept it, deal with it, expect it.

It might not happen in Amsterdam, just because people have been warned, but don't discount that just because they've finally started drug testing and the sort, that someone - who knows better - will do something completely stupid and get caught.