The Joint is Empty! - Nagoya Basho

[Kintamayama 45,094]

Asked about his strange "freezing" in the middle of the bout: "I'm scared of leg techniques.."

[Treblemaker 254]

Asked about his strange "freezing" in the middle of the bout: "I'm scared of leg techniques.."

Maybe a carry-over from that nasty knee injury he had years ago? And with someone who appears to have a very fragile confidence level, once you lose it, it's really hard to get it back.

He also just doesn't seem to have the upper-body strength he once had, that used to save him at the edge. You know, it might be just the right thing for him to dip into Juryo for a basho - maybe give his confidence a lift. Or, it could total him, a la Kakizoe. At the very least, if and when he retires, he'll be long remembered by the fans - and much revered. As opposed to someone like YMY who once had everything (ranking, fan backing and support) and lost it.

[madorosumaru 7]

Day 7. 6,000

Day 8. 6,500

(Attendance as reported by Sankei Sports)

The first week has gone by without a single sell-out. Even in the scandal-rocked Nagoya Basho last year, there were four SRO dates.

The news gets grimmer. Takamisakari, who is by far the most popular rikishi, has lost seven in a row since Day 2. He is in imminent danger of make-koshi and certain demotion to juryo. Sports media are rife with articles about his possible retirement. What is Ozumo to do without their number one drawing card?

It's not just that Robo is losing. He is losing in the most pathetic fashion.

Day 9 fell on a national holiday, but no sell-out again. In fact, the attendance of 5,500 was the lowest of the three-day weekend.

Poor Robo lost to upcoming Masunoyama without putting up much of a fight. He has eight losses including two to juryo rikishi. "I guess I've just gotten weaker," he sighed like an over-sized Charlie Brown. As for his impending demotion, he once again muttered, "Whatever will be, will be . . ."

Then as if to convince himself, he said, "I am going to continue [regardless]. I gotta." He stared upward and resolved a la Scarlett at Tara, "If I have to lie, cheat, matta or henka, as God is my witness, I'll never be a loser again! After all, tomorrow is another day."

Meanwhile, another crowd favorite, Kaio, is 3-6 with bouts against ozeki and yokozuna coming up. It's kadoban at best for Aki Basho. His Asakayama myoseki is vacant now. As Bob Dylan sang, "You don't need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows."

[madorosumaru 7]

The media are speculating about kyujo for Kaio. On Day 9, he plopped on all fours when Wakakoyu pull him down with a hikiotoshi. "My body was stretched and I was flat-footed," the Ancient Warrior explained with a weak smile. "I was just terrible. What else can I say?"

Miyabiyama, who has opposed him 46 times, said, "[Rikishi] with weak lower body tend to fall forward easily. Kaio-zeki rarely fell forward. That was a sign that he had really strong legs."

Not any more. This basho, a personal trainer works on him before every bout. Mr. Nakamoto told the press, "His physical condition is the worst in recent years. I think he is gambarizing just to stay in the tournament."

It's bad case of sciatica. Pain and numbness shoot down his legs, especially the left one. He just can't move forward the way he used to.

On Day 10, his opponent will be Ozeki Kotooshu. "Are you considering kyujo?" asked the press. "I don't know," Kaio replied. "I haven't though about it one way or the other." Tomozuna Oyakata is going to leave it up to his deshi: "I am not going to be the one to suggest it."

If he goes kadoban, he will tie the record of 14 held by his old buddy Chiyotaikai. In one basho, he will be going from the glory of the win record to the ignominy of kadoban record.

[Orion 431]

This basho, a personal trainer works on him before every bout. Mr. Nakamoto told the press, "His physical condition is the worst in recent years. I think he is gambarizing just to stay in the tournament."

I met Nakamoto-san in the Shinkansen waiting room yesterday evening as I was about to return to Tokyo. We exchanged greetings but as we were sitting several seats apart there was no chance for me to ask him if he was working on anyone special. One of the pictures I keep on my desktop here at the office is one of him treating Akebono's left knee.

Orion

Edited July 19, 2011 by Orion

[sekihiryu 51]

You should see it today!, imminent typhoon and all, the echo in their must be spooky!

[madorosumaru 7]

You should see it today!, imminent typhoon and all, the echo in their must be spooky!

The "crowd" present to witness Kaio's final bout live on this historical day was 4,400. What is it going to be like next basho when Kaio is gone and Robo is in juryo?

[Orion 431]

You should see it today!, imminent typhoon and all, the echo in their must be spooky!

The "crowd" present to witness Kaio's final bout live on this historical day was 4,400. What is it going to be like next basho when Kaio is gone and Robo is in juryo?

I'd have been delighted to be in there watching -- unfortunately the long weekend is over and the general public is back at work. Low attendance was to be expected after a three-day weekend -- and even then, most of the B masu were empty.

Orion

[Harry 67]

Nagoyabasho 2009:

During juryo!

Kitazakura salt toss by Harry Pulley, on Flickr

Makuuchi:

CIMG0448 by Harry Pulley, on Flickr

Jam packed like a Donkihote store!

CIMG0704 by Harry Pulley, on Flickr

[Hananotaka 8]

Just for a bit of perspective, in 2005 at the height of Asashoryu's dominance, I went to see the Nagoya Basho. I arrived in the early afternoon on Day 2, IIRC, and was surprised to see that tamari-seki seats were on sale. I bought one and watched the sumo from there. Later in the tournament, I think on Marine Day, I went with a co-worker. We bought A second-floor seats, but went down to the tamari-seki to watch the makushita bouts. We sat in the back of the West side tamari-seki...and stayed there the entire day. We were never in danger being moved -- the three rows in front of us remained virtually empty. Two years later, I tried buying tickets in the late morning, and they were all sold out. In 2007, you had Hakuho become Yokozuna, and not long after that, Kotomitsuki, a local boy, became Ozeki. In 2009, when I went to the Nagoya Basho with Jezz, we could get masu seki easily enough, but the tamari seki were full and there weren't many empties in the masu. It was plenty crowded.

These things are rather cyclical. Sure there's some fallout from the scandals, but there's also disappointment that Kotomitsuki was let go, there's the dominance of a single Yokozuna with no real rival, there's competition for attention from the Women's World Cup, and the lack of Osaka and Natsu Basho's to drum up interest and storylines for the casual fan to follow. Let's let sumo get back up on its feet, and next year we may see Nagoya booming again.

Edited July 21, 2011 by Hananotaka

[Harry 67]

I was there in 2009 with Jejima (Jezz) too! Most days during the week we could play bingo and stay in the masu or tamari seki but on weekends and near the end of the basho I had to retreat to the cheap actual seats I'd bought...

[Asashosakari 19,309]

These things are rather cyclical.

I think the fast cycle/volatility you're pointing out is more typical of the "local" basho though, Tokyo seems to move more gradually. And the audience decline there is definitely worrying, IMO.

Incidentally, the other day I read that the last basho without any sold-out days was Kyushu 2002, the basho in which Takanohana was absent again after his one-basho comeback, Maru withdrew early and Asashoryu won his first yusho. I'd have thought it was longer ago than that, somewhere before the big 666-day sell-out streak, but go figure.

[Otokonoyama 2,735]

These things are rather cyclical.

I think the fast cycle/volatility you're pointing out is more typical of the "local" basho though, Tokyo seems to move more gradually. And the audience decline there is definitely worrying, IMO.

This may have something to do with more stable turnout in Tokyo:

Nagoya Metro Area at a population of 8,739,000

Osaka Metro Area at a population of 12,116,540 - 18,644,000 (depending on definition of area)

Fukuoka Metro Area at a population of 5,738,977 - 10,381,372 (depending on definition of area)

Greater Tokyo Area at a population of 35,676,000

[Jejima 1,384]

I was there in 2009 with Jejima (Jezz) too! Most days during the week we could play bingo and stay in the masu or tamari seki but on weekends and near the end of the basho I had to retreat to the cheap actual seats I'd bought...

Don't forget KotoViki (Holiday feeling...)

Remember that one day (I think it might well have been senshuraku), when me, you, Viki and Mari-chan managed to keep our prime Masu A (in the very centre) bingo seats until the end of the proceedings! (Holiday feeling...)

[Asashosakari 19,309]

This may have something to do with more stable turnout in Tokyo:

Nagoya Metro Area at a population of 8,739,000

Osaka Metro Area at a population of 12,116,540 - 18,644,000 (depending on definition of area)

Fukuoka Metro Area at a population of 5,738,977 - 10,381,372 (depending on definition of area)

Greater Tokyo Area at a population of 35,676,000

I think that only applies after sumo hits a peak, when the higher population in Tokyo may sustain sell-outs for longer than in the other locations. (The arena is twice the size though...) Doesn't really explain why low attendance also seems more stable/more persistent there - you'd think with more people to draw from, getting back on the upswing would be easier, but I don't think that's the case.

Maybe too many other attractions occupying mindspace there, so once sumo has dropped from the public consciousness it's harder to reclaim a place in Tokyo than elsewhere?

Edited July 21, 2011 by Asashosakari

[Harry 67]

I was there in 2009 with Jejima (Jezz) too! Most days during the week we could play bingo and stay in the masu or tamari seki but on weekends and near the end of the basho I had to retreat to the cheap actual seats I'd bought...

Don't forget KotoViki (Holiday feeling...)

Remember that one day (I think it might well have been senshuraku), when me, you, Viki and Mari-chan managed to keep our prime Masu A (in the very centre) bingo seats until the end of the proceedings! (Holiday feeling...)

Can't forget Viki! Great times with all that basho.

That was a great day, one of many that basho. Lots of flying zabuton hitting us in the head... so few now with Hakuho breaking records.

[Bugman 384]

Maybe many people watch online like me, i would jump at the chance of one day attending a real Sumo match but am unable to do so at least for the foreseeable future, so i'm personally very grateful for the coverage that the NSK provide.

[Otokonoyama 2,735]

I think that only applies after sumo hits a peak, when the higher population in Tokyo may sustain sell-outs for longer than in the other locations. (The arena is twice the size though...) Doesn't really explain why low attendance also seems more stable/more persistent there - you'd think with more people to draw from, getting back on the upswing would be easier, but I don't think that's the case.

Really? Let's have a look...

Ryogoku Kokugikan - 11,098

Osaka Municipal Gym - 8,500 (including standing room)

Aichi Prefectural Gym - 9,000

Fukuoka Kokusai Center - 9,314 (9,774 with standing room)

[Asashosakari 19,309]

Ryogoku Kokugikan - 11,098

Osaka Municipal Gym - 8,500 (including standing room)

Aichi Prefectural Gym - 9,000

Fukuoka Kokusai Center - 9,314 (9,774 with standing room)

Whoops. Shouldn't have worked from memory based on the recent audience numbers. Though, all the worse then that the Tokyo tournaments are nearly as much in the doldrums as the local ones.

[ronnie 221]

These things are rather cyclical.

I think the fast cycle/volatility you're pointing out is more typical of the "local" basho though, Tokyo seems to move more gradually. And the audience decline there is definitely worrying, IMO.

This may have something to do with more stable turnout in Tokyo:

Nagoya Metro Area at a population of 8,739,000

Osaka Metro Area at a population of 12,116,540 - 18,644,000 (depending on definition of area)

Fukuoka Metro Area at a population of 5,738,977 - 10,381,372 (depending on definition of area)

Greater Tokyo Area at a population of 35,676,000

Those population figures are a bit of an eye opener for someone from a smaller country. My nations (Scotland) population at about 5.2 million would fit entirely inside your lowest estimated population for the Fukuoka Metro Area. Must be snug as bugs in Japan

[Kotoviki 16]

I was there in 2009 with Jejima (Jezz) too! Most days during the week we could play bingo and stay in the masu or tamari seki but on weekends and near the end of the basho I had to retreat to the cheap actual seats I'd bought...

Don't forget KotoViki :-)

Remember that one day (I think it might well have been senshuraku), when me, you, Viki and Mari-chan managed to keep our prime Masu A (in the very centre) bingo seats until the end of the proceedings! (Whistling...)

Can't forget Viki! Great times with all that basho.

That was a great day, one of many that basho. Lots of flying zabuton hitting us in the head... so few now with Hakuho breaking records.

Thanks, I also had a great time that basho, and even though it was very crowded we often did get a good seat for a lot of the day!!!

This year I bought one person masu and tamari for every day and haven't needed them at all on any days! :-( I have a one person masu on the 6th row over the hanamichi plus I have at least 10 boxes empty next to me and the entire rows behind me empty! What a let down that I wasted that much money on tickets!

Masu A is quite full, especially shomen side. Masu B and C are not. today B chair seats were sold out but general admission tickets were still available at least till my friend showed up at noon and they are not limiting you to one ticket like last year, they are asking how many you want. Maybe weekends are different. I bought a GA ticket for a friend two days in the morning and they asked me "how many" but last year I wanted to buy two for a rikishi's friend and trainer and they only let me buy one. the other had to be a masu ticket (they are selling masu tickets separately from a box)

There is a sign at the door for almost every day I noticed since Tuesday that you can buy masu B boxes one to four tickets.

although it was just a weekday yesterday a man walked up at 9:45 and bought a tamari ticket as well. That is impossible in Tokyo!!! (to add it was a 3rd row ticket)

speaking of flying zabutons, Harumafuji was hit by dozens of them yesterday and when we met outside the shitakubeya he laughed and said he didn't mind that at all!!! :-)

Edited July 21, 2011 by Kotoviki

[Harry 67]

In 2009 they also asked me how many I wanted even though the sign on the window said one per person. I was surprised the first day and it took me a moment to answer. That is until the senshuraku when I lined up at 6am or was it earlier? I got my jiyuuseki but many left disappointed.

[Kotoviki 16]

In 2009 they also asked me how many I wanted even though the sign on the window said one per person. I was surprised the first day and it took me a moment to answer. That is until the senshuraku when I lined up at 6am or was it earlier? I got my jiyuuseki but many left disappointed.

I hadn't realized that they would have let you buy more then. Last year there were two times that we needed two but couldn't get them. Like when one of the ojisans was coming from Tokyo and showing up at noon and nobody could buy him a second ticket. (Applauding...)

[madorosumaru 7]

Capacity - 8,000

Day 1 5,500

Day 2 3,700

Day 3 3,800

Day 4 4,000

Day 5 4.400

Day 6 4,200

Day 7 6,000

Day 8 6,500

Day 9 5,500

Day 10 4,400

Day 11 4.500

Day 12 5,400

Day 13 5,700

Day 14 6,700

Day 15 7,700 SRO

Finally, Manin Onrei on Senshuraku. The crowd was not quite up to capacity but enough for the SRO banners to be displayed. This is the first time since records were kept that there was only one SRO during a Nagoya Basho. The total number of spectators was 16,900 less than last year when attendance was hurt by the baseball betting scandal. According to people close to Ozumo, this year group and corporate sales were down considerably from previous years. As a result of the poor attendance, concession sales were also poor. A souvenir store attendant said, "Sales are about half of last year when it was already low."

Sponsors for kensho are also missing. Although there were 300 more banners than last year at the depth of the scandals, the total this year is 491 less than 2009. Nagatanien, which had sponsored an average of 200 bouts a basho, put up only one kensho per Takamisakari bout this time. "We are still interested in sponsoring Ozumo," said a corporate spokesman. "However, we want to see how things develop in general."

Hanaregoma Rijicho is cautiously optimistic. "Business hasn't been good this basho, but we are seeing a lot more good sumo. If we can continue presenting a good product . . ."