Name Your Favorite Salt-Shaker

[Zuikakuyama]

My favorate style of salt shaking is that of Chiyotaikai's.

He does it in a rather powerful way using a palm-down upward twisting motion that I just find very beautiful and artistic. He also does not spray salt all over his opponent's side like some people.

Some people like Kitazakura and Takamisakari tend to spray copious amounts all over their opponent's side, while really lame ones like Kyokushuzan just goes through the motion and dabble just a few specks inside the tawara.

[Manekineko]

Once you've seen Mitoizumi shake it, no one else can compare. (Neener, neener...)

Seriously, I never even thought about it. I have no preferences when it comes to salting the dohyo...

[Yubiquitoyama]

I have no immediate response to the initial question. I have no real favorite and in too many cases I haven't really been paying attention, so I'm not ready to make a decision whose salt throwing technique I prefer. I'm no big fan of Chiyotaikai's though which is quite similar to his oyakata's own ways. :-)

I do have a question though for the more veteran sumo watchers on the forum (the newest members should probably understand that although there are notable exceptions, most on this list, definitely including me, haven't followed sumo seriously more than 8-10 years max). Do you recall who have thrown huge amounts of salt through the years, a la Kitazakura or Mitoizumi? I read once that Aobayama of the 1970s also threw a giant handful in the air and I have gotten the impression there have been some others through the years. Any memories of such salt throwing? (Neener, neener...)

[Phelix]

Well - as a loyal fan I have to say ASASHORYU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :-) But I am even more impressed by the way he uses the towel... Mmmm, animal... (Giggling...)

[hoshidango]

This is an interesting question. As usual, I must have been vaguely staring at the screen with half opened eyes & mouth. I don't recall any one particularly favourite salt shaker, nor a big shaker with conviction. Now for Yubiquitoyama's question- All I remember about Aobayama is being sort of dark tall non-flabby not very strong guy- no vision of him salting...

But here are potentially, only potentially medium+ vol salt shakers before Mitoizumi?s time; Fukunohana, Mutsuarashi, Dairyugawa, Tamakiyama, Tenryu. But I don't remember seeing anyone made a commotion like Mitoizumi with salt shaking...

I definitely remember Aobajo and Takamiyama being stringy ones.

[Iwagakki]

I'd have to say I like Asashoryu, even though I am not a huge fan. Something about the way he stomps back to the box that last time, and nearly wipes the skin off his face makes me smile. Then when he throws that last bit of salt, you just know he means it.

the Moose, now there's a face. His salt throw was so casual, and laid back. Not lazy, mind you. It was sort of like he was on a first name basis with the gods of purifying the dohyo, and he was like, "Here ya go, fellas..."

what a nice question...

[chabonowaka]

well, there's kind of a bias, as he's from near my wife's hometown, and was still a salt shaker when i started watching, so in a past sort of way, i liked the way that asanowaka used to do the big throw of salt.

but the kyokai stopmed the spirit out of him some time ago and made him stop (or that's how i understand it,) so he doesn't do it like he used to anymore.

i remember that folks used to let go the oohs and aahs when he threw the salt.

chabonowaka

[Tadanisakari]

I really do like Chiyotaikai's graceful salting, but c'mon guys... Can any rikishi's salt shaking be more exciting that Takamisakari's super pumped up toss? He waits for his opponent to be watching him, then he just rockets that salt into the ring. He does get a lot of salt on the East side of the dohyo, but hey, more purification for his opponent's part of the clay.

[Naganoyama]

Can any rikishi's salt shaking be more exciting that Takamisakari's super pumped up toss? He waits for his opponent to be watching him, then he just rockets that salt into the ring.

I've always thought he was waiting for the camera. He is a natural showman.

[Guest omus]

While we are on this subject, I wonder whether there has been any case of a rikishi throwing salt that accidentally fell on the gyoji or head shimpan.

[Taka]

Watching Mitoizumis salt throw was always something of a spectacle but my favorite salt shaking moment was provided by Asanowaka.....

http://www.sumoforum.net/forums/index.php?...t=0entry27942

edit: this one is even better http://www.banzuke.com/~movies/kyushu2000/day1/asawaka.rm :-/

Edited May 23, 2004 by Taka

[Zuikakuyama]

Yes. He does lend a comical touch to alot of things. (In a state of confusion...)

[hoshidango]

While we are on this subject, I wonder whether there has been any case of a rikishi throwing salt that accidentally fell on the gyoji or head shimpan.

Good question.

And another one I have is what would happen if you don't touch the salt at all as you do shikiri...