Is sumo being turned into "Japanese Idol"?

[fundoshi katsugi 0]

> I went to see live sumo the other day. It had been a while. There have been some big changes. There is now a highly visible, highly audible gaijin who clearly sees herself as being one of the main attractions at sumo.To say this woman lacks 遠慮 would be a wild understatement.

If other fans have no problem with this, then I'll just shut up ( I know how to ).

However, if there are other fans -- more 土俵の美-minded fans -- who feel the same way, it would be nice to hear from them. Sumo has lost a lot of its former popularity. You only have to look at how much media coverage has been cut ( even NHK ).One reason given for the drop in popularity is that the Japanese fans see the sport as being "dominated by foreigners" -- foreigners who, in some cases, have shown little respect for the traditions of the sport. Whatever the merits and demerits of this opinion, I think we gaijin fans should avoid making a bad situation worse with our behavior.

How do other fans feel?

[kawika 123]

Does she have a flag?

Do you have an image of her?

[Bill Andersen 0]

Depends on your perspective. Yesterday, I think, there was a whole section filled with kids from Goeido's grade school and they were all cheering "Go-Ei-Do, Go-Ei-Do..." among other things for quite some time. Is that inappropriate? I don't know if Goeido found that offensive or not but I would imagine he was quite pleased. Then again I was there on the second day and there was some guy in a bunch of Americans who was whistling as hard as he could. I saw in SumoTalk a quote from Kisenosato "My ears are still ringing from some douche in the rafters whistling his ass off yesterday." which one could reasonably take to mean that he was offended (Going kyujo...) I was offended and embarrassed as well.

I think I know to which "highly visible/audible" person you're referring but I didn't get the idea there was anything out of line going on & I didn't have a problem with it. This person was just displaying enthusiastic support for the sport and the rikishi. Of course, I'm an American and don't know much about Japanese cultural norms, but FWIW I saw plenty of Japanese making similar demonstrations.

> I went to see live sumo the other day. It had been a while. There have been some big changes. There is now a highly visible, highly audible gaijin who clearly sees herself as being one of the main attractions at sumo.To say this woman lacks 遠慮 would be a wild understatement.

If other fans have no problem with this, then I'll just shut up ( I know how to ).

However, if there are other fans -- more 土俵の美-minded fans -- who feel the same way, it would be nice to hear from them. Sumo has lost a lot of its former popularity. You only have to look at how much media coverage has been cut ( even NHK ).One reason given for the drop in popularity is that the Japanese fans see the sport as being "dominated by foreigners" -- foreigners who, in some cases, have shown little respect for the traditions of the sport. Whatever the merits and demerits of this opinion, I think we gaijin fans should avoid making a bad situation worse with our behavior.

How do other fans feel?

[Kintamayama 45,111]

Then again I was there on the second day and there was some guy in a bunch of Americans who was whistling as hard as he could. I saw in SumoTalk a quote from Kisenosato "My ears are still ringing from some douche in the rafters whistling his ass off yesterday." which one could reasonably take to mean that he was offended (Going kyujo...) I was offended and embarrassed as well.

I am pretty sure this wasn't a real quote from Kisenosato. I'm also pretty sure I know who the culprit was, and he is a really nice guy who loves sumo, for sure. That said, it was probably annoying to those sitting around him.. That also said, I've seen some pretty rough behavior from drunken Japanese patrons as well, on occasion, that can put any gaijin behavior to shame.

[Bill Andersen 0]

Agreed. Darn -- I wanted that quote to be real.

Then again I was there on the second day and there was some guy in a bunch of Americans who was whistling as hard as he could. I saw in SumoTalk a quote from Kisenosato "My ears are still ringing from some douche in the rafters whistling his ass off yesterday." which one could reasonably take to mean that he was offended (Going kyujo...) I was offended and embarrassed as well.

I am pretty sure this wasn't a real quote from Kisenosato. I'm also pretty sure I know who the culprit was, and he is a really nice guy who loves sumo, for sure. That said, it was probably annoying to those sitting around him.. That also said, I've seen some pretty rough behavior from drunken Japanese patrons as well, on occasion, that can put any gaijin behavior to shame.

[ilovesumo 12]

I asked one Oyakata the question about how he thinks of loud cheering. He said "arigatai" -thanks worthy, and this wasn't out of politeness I guess, as he knew I am a quiet observer.

Also, there are cheer-clubs in many schools and universitys. They want to push their home-teams. So Japanese do it too.

I am a shy person and I am not comfortable with so much attention, so I simply cannot cheer like that. Those who are stronger personalities can do whatever they want. If annoying, I am sure somebody of the staff would say something.

If everybody is ok with it, then fine.

PS.: and I like her as a person very much.

Edited March 19, 2010 by ilovesumo

[Judofan 0]

Sorry I am only a lurker to the forum because my main interest is Judo. We went with out team to Japan in January and also attended some days of sumo together with our japanese companions.

We saw this woman with the flags. It's one thing I think to be in a supporter club and yell for your rikishi it's another thing to yell the whole day, to wave with flags of all countries and to move around from left to right. My japanese companions were either laughing or annoyed. They said it seems she wants the attention which should be reserved for the rikishi. Maybe she doesn't get enough attention otherwise.

One of my friend who is the nephew of a stablemaster told us that some of them are really pissed off and that she already got a warning.

I think she should calm down a bit an think about that it's not her show.

Only my 2 cent or course.

[Takamizawa 0]

Eh, doesn't really bother me to be honest; nothing wrong with enthusiasm. My favorite loud fan was the old drunk Japanese guy yelling "Mongoru abunai!" my first time at a tourney. Classic ;-)

I actually thought this thread would be about something completely different judging by the title. Made me think of how everybody's fawning over Okinoumi since he's "handsome" and whatnot. Pff Yoshikaze's wayyy more handsome. Just sayin..

Edited March 19, 2010 by Takamizawa

[ilovesumo 12]

I actually thought this thread would be about something completely different judging by the title. Made me think of how everybody's fawning over Okinoumi since he's "handsome" and whatnot. Pff Yoshikaze's wayyy more handsome. Just sayin..

Yeah, thought the same. (both ways ;-) )

taste...well

I'd say they are pushing a new idol, now that Homasho and Kise do not look like da future Yokozuna anymore...(actually, never understood that hype either)

Needin' quota, hum?

[Treblemaker 254]

I would suggest that everyone sit down, have a nice cup of tea, and relax.

First, people who pay to get into any event are permitted, within reason, to cheer, shout, express themselves in any appropriate manner, whatever, because they are the paying ones who support the cause.

Now, if the lady in question were to, say, remove her shirt, swear like a truckdriver, and spray people around her with paint, I'd say she's a problem.

Go to a football game in Philadelphia. Or a soccer match in Manchester. Or a hockey game in Boston. 'Nuff said.

Sumo's drop in popularity has nothing to do with the fans, Gaijin or not. In fact, I would suggest that if it weren't for the support of Gaijins, Sumo's popularity might even be less than paople say it is. Sumo's problems are in-house.

Personally, I've performed in "classical" symphony concerts and recitals where occasionally somebody would buck tradition and cheer, or do something that rattles the "Correct Regulars" and frankly, I loved it. It shows true emotion and is far more supportive to the musicians than the people who just sit on their hands, and applaud when appropriate. Never bothered me.

What does bother me is the total lack of acknowledgement the rikishi show to the fans before and after their apprearance. Coming up or down the hanamachi, there is an almost universal effort to completely ignore the people in the seats who are cheering that person. Nice touch. Where would you be, Osh, or Kise, or anybody, if those same seats were empty? They are paying for your lifestyle. Show some respect back. How difficult is it for someone, having won or not, to simply look up and nod to the people who are screaming your name?

[ilovesumo 12]

No way rikishi ignore their fans. But they cannot nod at each fan at the same time. B-)

I love that they know one is there to give em mental support.

[ちゃんこばん 0]

I would suggest that everyone sit down, have a nice cup of tea, and relax.

First, people who pay to get into any event are permitted, within reason, to cheer, shout, express themselves in any appropriate manner, whatever, because they are the paying ones who support the cause.

Now, if the lady in question were to, say, remove her shirt, swear like a truckdriver, and spray people around her with paint, I'd say she's a problem.

Go to a football game in Philadelphia. Or a soccer match in Manchester. Or a hockey game in Boston. 'Nuff said.

Sumo's drop in popularity has nothing to do with the fans, Gaijin or not. In fact, I would suggest that if it weren't for the support of Gaijins, Sumo's popularity might even be less than paople say it is. Sumo's problems are in-house.

Personally, I've performed in "classical" symphony concerts and recitals where occasionally somebody would buck tradition and cheer, or do something that rattles the "Correct Regulars" and frankly, I loved it. It shows true emotion and is far more supportive to the musicians than the people who just sit on their hands, and applaud when appropriate. Never bothered me.

What does bother me is the total lack of acknowledgement the rikishi show to the fans before and after their apprearance. Coming up or down the hanamachi, there is an almost universal effort to completely ignore the people in the seats who are cheering that person. Nice touch. Where would you be, Osh, or Kise, or anybody, if those same seats were empty? They are paying for your lifestyle. Show some respect back. How difficult is it for someone, having won or not, to simply look up and nod to the people who are screaming your name?

It's not really the cheering which is the problem; although I have wonder about cheering for every other rikishi, waving flags for the foreign rikishi, and even cheering for a gyoji. It's actually the incessant chatter about topics unrelated to sumo. She chats loudly enough for anybody sitting on the shomen side to hear clearly. At frequent intervals, shimpan would look over at her. Anybody sensitive to body language would understand that they were annoyed at the chatter. Early in the day, there aren't very many people in gym, so sound carries. Later in the day there is enough ambient sound to drown out the chatter. I feel for the jonokuchi, jonidan, sandanme, and makushita rikishi who are distracted by the loud gaijin. That said, I did notice one winning rikishi smile over at her tentatively after leaving the dohyo.

I think it's the difference between the "super gaijin sumo fan" and a typical sumo fan is the difference between a sumo groupie and someone who is interested in good sumo. A groupie ingratiates herself with the rikishi, oyakata, etc. A sumo fan wants to see well executed sumo, and is pleased when her favorite rikishi wins.

[Otokonoyama 2,735]

Hello ちゃんこばん、or should I call you Bakanohana? What are you trying to do with the dual accounts (and a third awaiting authorization)?

[Orion 431]

> I went to see live sumo the other day. It had been a while. There have been some big changes. There is now a highly visible, highly audible gaijin who clearly sees herself as being one of the main attractions at sumo.To say this woman lacks ?? would be a wild understatement.

Live and let live, I'd say. I wouldn't do this myself, since I have always tried not to single out favorites, especially among the foreign-born rikishi. But when I am there in a private capacity I shout for my own favorites (and they know who they are) but I sit in my own chosen seat and simply keep up my records. Sumo regulars of many persuasions may come up and greet me, but that is it.

But for me the touchstone is: if somebody brings out a flag and starts shouting, who is it aimed at? If it's directed to the audience, it's bad. If it's directed to a junior rikishi, it's fine -- so long as it doesn't distract him from his upcoming bout. An auntie figure is probably what a lot of the younger guys need - it simply isn't my bag, but I will not knock another woman for providing this kind of support.

FWIW,

Orion, who would not like to push it --even with a gyoji or an oyakata she's known since he was around 16....

[sekihiryu 51]

I think it prudent to clear up the "flag issue", the flags (signed by many of the Rikishi from the country the flag is from) are there to support the Rikishi from that country - no more no less, there are no other motives, there is even a Japanese flag in the collection that comes out for some of the Japanese rikishi. In fact I think the lady in question supports the Japanese rikishi more. The flags are an easy way of showing support to those guys often lonely and far from home.

Some of the oyakata (probably the same guys had been calling for Asashoryus head for years) are not pleased, someone said, well how about the other oyakata who thank her personally for supporting their younger charges?, who are pleased to have someone interested in their welfare and progress.

How about the mothers and family members of the young new recruits who befriend the lady in question who know they have a caring third party they can contact, who is looking out for their children, who are living away from home in sumo stable at age 16? they are more than pleased.

I have sat and watched sumo with this lady in question at the end dozens of Japanese people came past smiling, giving compliments.

A woman with three young children with her, was more than happy to have us behind her because when we arrived, the until then bored restless children began having fun and got caught up in the cheering. They left with happy faces.

She is passionate, devoted and a very caring person. Yes, she is loud and this thread has highlighted that it has ruffled a few feathers, but the "ruffled feathered" are in the minority. You would get along well with Eric Blair the ruffled contributor from SFM magazine, "he" got upset about a topic like this a while back. You have made your point and you want her to tone it down? perhaps she will take on board your anonymous suggestions but, she is who she is, enthusiasm and passion are hard to bottle in quantities she possesses.....

Actually the thing that irks me the most is the "e-sniping" - people hiding in the anonymity of the Internet, not contributing except to pop out suddenly like a sniper and take a shot and then disappear....or even worse making fake accounts to to do the e-sniping. My name is Dean, what's yours?

Since we are dropping kanji how about this one --->卑怯 *

*cowardice

[Harry 67]

I'm always real, Harry is my real name. I never use fake login names. Pseudonyms are for what I ask? Well, who knows.

First, the Japanese yell too. While yelling out rikishi names we've received replies of "jouzu desu!" They were impressed that we knew the names and could say them, though I think it is not that impressive but most Japanese people don't know about anyone but top rankers, if they know anything about sumo today at all. The fact that we care about low rankers is rare and special. The real sumo fans around us throughout the day joined in with our cheers, and found it fun. The people who show up at 5pm to eat their 45000 yen obento while facing away from the dohyo may not like us but by then the place is rocking anyways.

Sitting there all day for days on end, not once did anyone tell us to stop. They tell people they can't eat in the tamari-seki; even if those are their seats, they are moved to masu-seki to have their expensive bento boxes delivered from the ochaya. They don't let you take pictures from the ailes, only from the seats and they physically step in front of you to prevent you from taking pictures from anywhere else. When children sit in the tamari-seki they move them for fear that they will be crushed to death by Orora or Yamamotoyama. They have no problem reprimanding patrons, even physically intervening with Japanese and foreigner alike if they break the rules. The fact that they do not tell us to be quiet tells me that they feel it is alright. The highway signs into Tokyo from Narita airport have a picture of a sleeping baby and say "shizuka ni" telling you to be quiet in residential areas yet not once did anyone in sumo tell us "shizuka ni". There are only rarely sleeping babies in the arena.

In the early part of the day it is mostly family there. They yell out for their sons, their nephews. They appreciate additional support. If no one else cares to come out early on, why bother? Most foreigners buy their jiyu-seki, are handed the English only juryo/makuuchi schedule, come in to jonokuchi as they must line up early anyways and are confused when it is young men with just their parents in the audience and none of the names sound at all familiar. I think they should do more to help foreigners enjoy a full day of sumo by providing the full torikumi in English, French, German, why not? Perhaps some explanation of what they are saying, a simple kimarite cheat sheet; I think they are missing out.

I know that rikishi appreciate the support and the flags. Some later on, without prompting told us that they saw their flag, heard our calls and appreciated it. Those in the audience got a kick out of it when the rising sun came out.

The self appointed members of the Sumo Fan Deliberation Council should relax. If they can't take a few people yelling then they should really leave before the maku no uchi portion. It is quite loud and might hurt their ears.

[Washuyama 641]

How about the mothers and family members of the young new recruits who befriend the lady in question who know they have a caring third party they can contact, who is looking out for their children, who are living away from home in sumo stable at age 16? they are more than pleased.

I can personally vouch for this one. I was sitting with her a couple years ago watching a Jonokuchi bout and she was loudly cheering on one of the kids who had just earned his first kachi-koshi after a year in sumo (IIRC it was Shuho). After the bout was over, an older gentlemen came over and introduced himself as the father of the young rikishi and wanted to thank her for cheering on his son.

I wish there were more people, of any nationality, who would devote as much time, energy, money and love to sumo as she does. I actually hope she reads this thread and starts cheering louder (if that's possible!)

[Treblemaker 254]

Frankly, an outward show of support and emotion can't be anything but positive and good for the event. As I mentioned in my post above, nothing irks performers (in any sport, event, concert, etc) than the people in the seats sitting on their hands. And if those same people get upset with the few who go the extra mile and aren't afraid to visually or verbally cheer people on (even if it's "over the top"), then it's their own problem. They might take a page out of her book.

Better that than the abuse that some "fans" exhibit is some venues... Hey, passion is good.

And zealous fans have existed since Julius Ceasar's time.

Whoever the lady is, I say "Good for her!" The place needs more people like her.

I've performed on concert hall stages, and I've performed in seedy bars... I have always prefered the fans in the bars. Especially the ones who throw beer bottles. (Full bottles - they like you - empty bottles - keep your car running.)

I watched the entire Day 7 and 8 broadcast, only twice did I see a rikishi smile or make eye contact and slightly nod to the fans when heading up or down the hanamachi or in the crowd plaza area behind the stands... This aspect of ignoring the people is what upsets me more than the "Manic Lady". I can understand not showing anything while on the dohyo, or in the immediate vicinity... but to completely ignore fans that are 10 feet away from you, clapping and cheering your efforts and calling your name... well, as the Victorians used to say, it's not "good form".

[Harry 67]

I've performed on concert hall stages, and I've performed in seedy bars... I have always prefered the fans in the bars. Especially the ones who throw beer bottles. (Full bottles - they like you - empty bottles - keep your car running.)

I thought full ones would hurt more ;-)

[Treblemaker 254]

I've performed on concert hall stages, and I've performed in seedy bars... I have always prefered the fans in the bars. Especially the ones who throw beer bottles. (Full bottles - they like you - empty bottles - keep your car running.)

I thought full ones would hurt more ;-)

They toss the full ones. They aim the empties. Once played drums in a gig in Dallas wearing a football helmet. (Cowboys helmet, of course...)

[Bill Andersen 0]

Dear Harry

Bully! Well said.

I'm always real, Harry is my real name. I never use fake login names. Pseudonyms are for what I ask? Well, who knows.

First, the Japanese yell too. While yelling out rikishi names we've received replies of "jouzu desu!" They were impressed that we knew the names and could say them, though I think it is not that impressive but most Japanese people don't know about anyone but top rankers, if they know anything about sumo today at all. The fact that we care about low rankers is rare and special. The real sumo fans around us throughout the day joined in with our cheers, and found it fun. The people who show up at 5pm to eat their 45000 yen obento while facing away from the dohyo may not like us but by then the place is rocking anyways.

Sitting there all day for days on end, not once did anyone tell us to stop. They tell people they can't eat in the tamari-seki; even if those are their seats, they are moved to masu-seki to have their expensive bento boxes delivered from the ochaya. They don't let you take pictures from the ailes, only from the seats and they physically step in front of you to prevent you from taking pictures from anywhere else. When children sit in the tamari-seki they move them for fear that they will be crushed to death by Orora or Yamamotoyama. They have no problem reprimanding patrons, even physically intervening with Japanese and foreigner alike if they break the rules. The fact that they do not tell us to be quiet tells me that they feel it is alright. The highway signs into Tokyo from Narita airport have a picture of a sleeping baby and say "shizuka ni" telling you to be quiet in residential areas yet not once did anyone in sumo tell us "shizuka ni". There are only rarely sleeping babies in the arena.

In the early part of the day it is mostly family there. They yell out for their sons, their nephews. They appreciate additional support. If no one else cares to come out early on, why bother? Most foreigners buy their jiyu-seki, are handed the English only juryo/makuuchi schedule, come in to jonokuchi as they must line up early anyways and are confused when it is young men with just their parents in the audience and none of the names sound at all familiar. I think they should do more to help foreigners enjoy a full day of sumo by providing the full torikumi in English, French, German, why not? Perhaps some explanation of what they are saying, a simple kimarite cheat sheet; I think they are missing out.

I know that rikishi appreciate the support and the flags. Some later on, without prompting told us that they saw their flag, heard our calls and appreciated it. Those in the audience got a kick out of it when the rising sun came out.

The self appointed members of the Sumo Fan Deliberation Council should relax. If they can't take a few people yelling then they should really leave before the maku no uchi portion. It is quite loud and might hurt their ears.

[Backdoor Slider 0]

Just noticed this. It reminds me of one of the few things I DON'T miss about living in Japan, so I'll make my first post to get it (somewhat) back on topic.

Though I didn't personally witness the behaviour in question, it's obvious from the description that this woman has a genuine passion for sumo, something I think everyone on this board shares. As for her drive to call attention to herself, I can think of three reasons (there certainly may be others):

1. She has an overly enthusiastic personality. People of this type can be identified by their seemingly endless supply of energy, accompanied by texts/emails that contain way too many smiley faces (Holiday feeling...) (Yusho winner...) , hearts <3, and exclamation marks!!!

2. She enjoys the drink and the drink provides her with positive energy. This type of person can be identified by smell and by texts/emails, usually sent after 9pm, that require advanced decoding skills to render intelligible.

(In the interest of full disclosure, I have been known to shout at sumo and fall squarely into this category. A long day of sumo and beer is a wonderful buildup of tense energy. You get there in the morning to a quiet, empty arena, seemingly able to hear a duck fart from the general admission seats. At first you are content to sit quitely and make marks on your program, using your reference book to look up the unknown teenager who catches your eye. But it happens every time - as the day goes by and the fans slowly shuffle into the gym the energy slowly builds; the sumo is getting faster, stonger, louder as the shikiri grow longer, causing each individual torikumi to become more of a buildup and release - you pay less and less attention to your program and become fixated on the dohyo. Juryo comes and goes, the "maninonrei" banners unfurl, and then you finally see The Man. At this point, it takes a stronger man than I to not get caught up in the electric atmosphere. And once the seal is broken, there is not a favorite rikishi who will not hear my voice.)

The above types have been touched upon in the thread, and though some people may find them obnoxious they are completely harmless, generally good people.

The third type, however, is to be avoided at all costs and chastised when unavoidable. These are the people that suffer from a social or personality disorder (or combination thereof) that manifest themselves in what has been called the "My Japan" or "Alpha Gaijin" syndromes, especially prevalent among those who pursue "Japanese" hobbies. Their actions serve two purposes: First, the must prove to the native Japanese around them that they "belong", that they are not some naive, fresh-off-the-boat foreigner looking to take pretty pictures of Japanese novelties. They are threatened by the presence of other foreigners and need to demonstate not only that they are not "with them", they in fact despise them. They serve notice that they are not to be underestimated nor brushed aside as "just another foreigner". Secondly, they need to assert their dominance over these other foreigners and clearly display their position at the top of the gaijin totem pole in their respective hobby/interest. Approaching them will be perceived as a challenge, and any discussion about said hobby inevitably becomes a contest in which they will take pains to put on display just how much more obscure knowledge they possess, how much longer they have pursued said interest, how many more "important" people they know (or, rather, how many important people know them), and so on until you prostrate yourself before their undeniable superiority.

(For those of you who haven't spent enough time in Japan to have had the pleasure of meeting these types, awhile back in my lurking there was a poster here who clearly stood out with obvious symptoms of The Syndrome. I thought he was just a troll at first but judging from people's reactions he seemed to be a real person. There may have been more like him, but I'm sure the person I'm talking about will be obvious to anybody who read this board a few years ago.)

Anyway, sorry for the long post. It's the first Haru-basho I've missed in years and it's been tougher than I expected.

[Jakusotsu 5,969]

Anyway, sorry for the long post. It's the first Haru-basho I've missed in years and it's been tougher than I expected.

No need to be sorry, it's an excellent read. (Holiday feeling...) Welcome aboard!

Oh, and the lady in question is type 1, no doubt about it.

[kotoeikoku 0]

Just noticed this. It reminds me of one of the few things I DON'T miss about living in Japan, so I'll make my first post to get it (somewhat) back on topic.

Though I didn't personally witness the behaviour in question, it's obvious from the description that this woman has a genuine passion for sumo, something I think everyone on this board shares. As for her drive to call attention to herself, I can think of three reasons (there certainly may be others):

1. She has an overly enthusiastic personality. People of this type can be identified by their seemingly endless supply of energy, accompanied by texts/emails that contain way too many smiley faces (Holiday feeling...) (Yusho winner...) , hearts <3, and exclamation marks!!!

2. She enjoys the drink and the drink provides her with positive energy. This type of person can be identified by smell and by texts/emails, usually sent after 9pm, that require advanced decoding skills to render intelligible.

(In the interest of full disclosure, I have been known to shout at sumo and fall squarely into this category. A long day of sumo and beer is a wonderful buildup of tense energy. You get there in the morning to a quiet, empty arena, seemingly able to hear a duck fart from the general admission seats. At first you are content to sit quitely and make marks on your program, using your reference book to look up the unknown teenager who catches your eye. But it happens every time - as the day goes by and the fans slowly shuffle into the gym the energy slowly builds; the sumo is getting faster, stonger, louder as the shikiri grow longer, causing each individual torikumi to become more of a buildup and release - you pay less and less attention to your program and become fixated on the dohyo. Juryo comes and goes, the "maninonrei" banners unfurl, and then you finally see The Man. At this point, it takes a stronger man than I to not get caught up in the electric atmosphere. And once the seal is broken, there is not a favorite rikishi who will not hear my voice.)

The above types have been touched upon in the thread, and though some people may find them obnoxious they are completely harmless, generally good people.

The third type, however, is to be avoided at all costs and chastised when unavoidable. These are the people that suffer from a social or personality disorder (or combination thereof) that manifest themselves in what has been called the "My Japan" or "Alpha Gaijin" syndromes, especially prevalent among those who pursue "Japanese" hobbies. Their actions serve two purposes: First, the must prove to the native Japanese around them that they "belong", that they are not some naive, fresh-off-the-boat foreigner looking to take pretty pictures of Japanese novelties. They are threatened by the presence of other foreigners and need to demonstate not only that they are not "with them", they in fact despise them. They serve notice that they are not to be underestimated nor brushed aside as "just another foreigner". Secondly, they need to assert their dominance over these other foreigners and clearly display their position at the top of the gaijin totem pole in their respective hobby/interest. Approaching them will be perceived as a challenge, and any discussion about said hobby inevitably becomes a contest in which they will take pains to put on display just how much more obscure knowledge they possess, how much longer they have pursued said interest, how many more "important" people they know (or, rather, how many important people know them), and so on until you prostrate yourself before their undeniable superiority.

(For those of you who haven't spent enough time in Japan to have had the pleasure of meeting these types, awhile back in my lurking there was a poster here who clearly stood out with obvious symptoms of The Syndrome. I thought he was just a troll at first but judging from people's reactions he seemed to be a real person. There may have been more like him, but I'm sure the person I'm talking about will be obvious to anybody who read this board a few years ago.)

Anyway, sorry for the long post. It's the first Haru-basho I've missed in years and it's been tougher than I expected.

God this takes me back.

I remember meeting many 'Alpha Gaijins' in the two years I lived in Japan, but none more obnoxious than this guy who I studied with.

Although he could speak perfect English, French and German (Swiss, FWIW), he refused to speak any language other than Japanese. OK, so it makes sense that we were there to learn, but this manifested in really condescending behaviour, as he was constantly trying to speak 'better' and more complicated Japanese than the rest of us. Of course, he hung around the other foreign students as little as possible, but on the occasions that he couldn't avoid it, the whole thing became a game of linguistic one-upmanship thinly veiled as conversation. Then, when he succeeded in finding something we didn't understand (not knowing, for example, that 'chari' is kansai slang for jitensha, or bicycle), he would sneer and go, 'oh, you don't EVEN know that?'

This was only the tip of the iceberg for his behaviour. Anyway, suffice it to say that, although I have never met her, the lady being described sounds to me very far from the typical Alpha-Gaijin.

[Hananotaka 8]

The original blog is now long gone, but thanks to the power of the Wayback Machine, we can still enjoy The Seven Stages of Gaijinhood!

And here's the original graph:

As for the sumo fan in question, I've met the sumo fan in question, I'd like to think the sumo fan in question is a friend of mine, and some things the sumo fan in question is not is out-of-bounds, nor an Alpha Gaijin, nor obnoxious or in anyway an eye/earsore at the various sumo venues. She's part of the sumo scenery, just like that hinomaru fan guy. Look, the flag thing is not for me. I like to relax with a can of juice, a bento, let out a lusty "WAKANOOOOSATOOOO!!!!" once or twice, while watching the sumo and rooting for my particular favorite rikishi. But I think it's clear that if the sumo fan in question were Japanese rather than From Parts Elsewhere, this wouldn't even be an issue. She'd be celebrated as part of the sumo experience. The sumo fan in question has paid her dues, both literally and figuratively, and has earned her over-the-top sumo enthusiasm. In the words of the great Dave Chappelle-as-Rick James, "Enjoy yourself. It's a celebration!"