Takanohana Tactics- new riji stories

[Kintamayama 45,086]

Suggestion number 1- all new rikishi at the sumo training institute (which he heads) will be present at the dohyo-matsuri (consecration of the dohyo ceremony held one day before the tournament begins) in order to understand what it's all about. Suggestion-accepted, starting from Natsu-basho.

The 4-heya Takanohana faction (Takanohana, Magaki, Ootake and Ounomatsu) will be receiving help from none other than Nishonoseki Ichimon with yobidashi and gyoji for their keiko-ba rebuilding and consecration ceremonies. The four heya put together have three yobidashi and zero gyoji. "Some Oyakata said we shouldn't be helping them, but after all we're talking about keiko-bas here so they should be aided. In the end, each Ichimon shisho that has a yobidashi/gyoji should decide for himself. We're all adults here", quipped Hanaregoma Oyakata.

Takanohana leaving the rijikai meeting:

Edited February 24, 2010 by Kintamayama

[ilovesumo 12]

Suggestion number 1- all new rikishi at the sumo training institute (which he heads) will be present at the dohyo-matsuri (consecration of the dohyo ceremony held one day before the tournament begins) in order to understand what it's all about. Suggestion-accepted, starting from Natsu-basho.

I like that. Good idea. Should make it ALL rikishi at least once. I remember how fascinated Kotooshu was by the whole thing when he was there.

I'd say the dohyo matsuri in the kokugikan has been seen more people on this forum than it has by rikishi in makuuchi.

Probably. Have never seen any. (Blowing up furiously...)

[Asashosakari 19,308]

I'd say the dohyo matsuri in the kokugikan has been seen more people on this forum than it has by rikishi in makuuchi.

Yes, one article quoted an oyakata as saying that he never saw one until after his active career had ended, and so he was in favour of this idea.

[Gusoyama 103]

I think having all new rikishi see the consecration of the ground they fight upon may help them(especially the foreigners) realize they're not participating in strictly a sport.

[Asashosakari 19,308]

A few days ago it was announced that the group of breakaway stables will be holding their own rengo keiko prior to Natsu basho, and generally keep working together. But no, there's no establishment of a new ichimon coming, they continue to emphasize.

[Treblemaker 254]

.... that the group of breakaway stables will be holding....

Wow... I've heard of "breakaway horses"...

[Kintamayama 45,086]

The rengo keiko will be held as Asashosakari promised. The exact date was not announced, but it will be some time before the next basho commences, and will include additionally to Takanohana - Magaki, Ootake and Ounomatsu beyas. The first one will be held at Magaki. "Since he's the oldest, we will start there and alternate between the other heyas every basho!", declared Takanohana Oyakata.

Edited April 15, 2010 by Kintamayama

[Kintamayama 45,086]

Another Takanohana reform plan: In his capacity as the new head of the Sumo training institute, he is suggesting that ex-rikishi could help spread the Sumo word by becoming teachers of "the way". "Everything is in the initial phase of planning, but the plan is to help rikishi with their after-active lives. "We will be targeting all active rikishi", he explained. The concrete matter at hand is that Junior high Schools will have mandatory martial arts studies from 2012, and Takanohana wants to have some sort of Sumo curriculum in place by then. For that, he needs sanctioned sumo instructors, who he proposes should emerge from the ex-rikishi ranks, giving them jobs after they retire as well, killing two birds with one stone, so to speak (I just used 5 commas in one sentence..) "I'd like to get them back in the training institute and study for this. It would be ideal if they emerge from this as Sumo instructors so that they can later go out there and maybe make some interested kid's dream come true..", he summed.

Edited May 8, 2010 by Kintamayama

[Asashosakari 19,308]

The rengo keiko will be held as Asashosakari promised.

And now that my secret role in Takanohana's election has been exposed by this off-hand remark - I too am changing my kabu and joining Otake-beya soon.

[Yubinhaad 11,657]

And now that my secret role in Takanohana's election has been exposed by this off-hand remark - I too am changing my kabu and joining Otake-beya soon.

Can Zaonishiki borrow your old one, please?

[Asashosakari 19,308]

The concrete matter at hand is that Junior high Schools will have mandatory martial arts studies from 2012, and Takanohana wants to have some sort of Sumo curriculum in place by then. For that, he needs sanctioned sumo instructors, who he proposes should emerge from the ex-rikishi ranks, giving them jobs after they retire as well ...

Can somebody shed some light on that governmental plan? The main issue I'm wondering is, do they actually want sumo instructors that would be accredited by the Kyokai? Even taking the NSK's special status into account, it seems like a leap of logic to me to just assume that a semi-private enterprise would be procured to perform mandatory classes. Would be interesting to know what other sports/martial arts are supposed to be offered as part of the curriculum(distinctly Japanese or also e.g. boxing?) and how their organizations are approaching the issue... I guess we'll be hearing from the Nihon Sumo Renmei sooner or later if Taka's plan makes some headway.

[Kuroyama 715]

The concrete matter at hand is that Junior high Schools will have mandatory martial arts studies from 2012, and Takanohana wants to have some sort of Sumo curriculum in place by then. For that, he needs sanctioned sumo instructors, who he proposes should emerge from the ex-rikishi ranks, giving them jobs after they retire as well ...

Can somebody shed some light on that governmental plan? The main issue I'm wondering is, do they actually want sumo instructors that would be accredited by the Kyokai? Even taking the NSK's special status into account, it seems like a leap of logic to me to just assume that a semi-private enterprise would be procured to perform mandatory classes. Would be interesting to know what other sports/martial arts are supposed to be offered as part of the curriculum(distinctly Japanese or also e.g. boxing?) and how their organizations are approaching the issue... I guess we'll be hearing from the Nihon Sumo Renmei sooner or later if Taka's plan makes some headway.

There's a big difference between accreditation and actually performing the service. There's ample precedent for private or semi-private entities providing government-required accreditation, at least in the US, for everything from doctors, lawyers and engineers to football coaches. If you're going to have certified sumo instructors, the NSK is the obvious choice of agency.

[Asashosakari 19,308]

If you're going to have certified sumo instructors, the NSK is the obvious choice of agency.

Is it? The ozumo vision of what sumo is like is somewhat different from that put forth by the amasumo organizations, and that's almost certainly even more the case with whatever Takanohana envisions as ozumo (as opposed to the current representation). I'm personally not bothered by it, but would you buy the idea that the training program for future coaches would be free of ozumo's religious overtones? As far as I understand it that's no-go territory for Japanese school curricula. The U.S. examples you listed exist because the goals of the accrediting organizations are (more or less) in line with those of the government; I'm not convinced yet that that would be the case here.

[Kuroyama 715]

would you buy the idea that the training program for future coaches would be free of ozumo's religious overtones?

Sure, why not?

[Kintamayama 45,086]

Suggestion number 1- all new rikishi at the sumo training institute (which he heads) will be present at the dohyo-matsuri (consecration of the dohyo ceremony held one day before the tournament begins) in order to understand what it's all about. Suggestion-accepted, starting from Natsu-basho.

And we have implementation. This morning, Takanohana took some 80 newbies and they all watched the dohyo-matsuri together. " I am happy that they got to see this solemn ceremony. They have to feel it on their skin. Sumo begins with thanks and ends with thanks (thanks = "rei", which is actually all the small gestures-bow, nod, I am humble etc..) , and I wanted them to fully understand the implications," said Takanohana. Non-newbie rikishi from Tagonoura and Naruto were there as well. Now, Takanohana has a new plan. "I'd like to take the newbies to watch practice in other sports,", he said.

[Asashosakari 19,308]

Now, Takanohana has a new plan. "I'd like to take the newbies to watch practice in other sports,", he said.

Ah, so he's still on that... A few months ago, there was a round of articles about him trying to stage some sort of "practice exchange" cooperation with the J.League and their young players. Didn't even seem tentatively planned at the time though, basically just a random idea that he and one league guy of his acquaintance were talking about.

[Kotoviki 16]

Suggestion number 1- all new rikishi at the sumo training institute (which he heads) will be present at the dohyo-matsuri (consecration of the dohyo ceremony held one day before the tournament begins) in order to understand what it's all about. Suggestion-accepted, starting from Natsu-basho.

And we have implementation. This morning, Takanohana took some 80 newbies and they all watched the dohyo-matsuri together. " I am happy that they got to see this solemn ceremony. They have to feel it on their skin. Sumo begins with thanks and ends with thanks (thanks = "rei", which is actually all the small gestures-bow, nod, I am humble etc..) , and I wanted them to fully understand the implications," said Takanohana. Non-newbie rikishi from Tagonoura and Naruto were there as well. Now, Takanohana has a new plan. "I'd like to take the newbies to watch practice in other sports,", he said.

And so the boys were there... and two of those boys told us that almost all of them slept through the whole thing!!! The ones who were awake had their oyakata sitting behind them.....

[Kintamayama 45,086]

And we have implementation. This morning, Takanohana took some 80 newbies and they all watched the dohyo-matsuri together.

Can you spot the ones that are asleep? And will they be punished for this now that Kotoviki told on them??

Much better view of the sleeping beauties:

Edited May 8, 2010 by Kintamayama

[Kotoviki 16]

I can't believe any of them slept with Takanohana sitting behind them!!! :-(

[Kintamayama 45,086]

And now, a change in the wording of the chief judge after a monoii- Takanohana sought the advice of a broadcaster friend of his wife's in finding a better wording for the head shinpan's explanation of a monoii. He finally got a chance to use it in Makushita yesterday. "I will explain the discussion we had," was the old wording. "As a result of the discussion we had regarding the outcome of this bout , the gunbai goes to etc.. etc.." is the new wording he used. Asked about this, he answered: "I'm just doing my job. Now, if you'd like to ask me about other dohyo-related stuff.."

Edited September 15, 2010 by Kintamayama

[Asafan 0]

That's a hell of a change indeed ! (I am not worthy...)

[Gernobono 466]

That's a hell of a change indeed ! ;-)

sounds like a secret message to imprissoned yakuza (Whistling...)