Kakuryu as Yokozuna

[Yubinhaad 11,761]

The tsuna-uchi is taking place today (may in fact have happened already by now).

The actual tsuna will be made tomorrow, I believe. Today rikishi from the ichimon gathered at Izutsu-beya to carry out the asamomi, preparing the hemp for the tsuna by kneading it with rice bran. Pictures in the spoiler box.

Ichinojo from Minato-beya.

Ichiryu, who joined Izutsu-beya this basho.

Horikiri from Shikoroyama-beya, now able to wear a chonmage.

Goshi from Arashio-beya, Horikiri and Koike from Shikoroyama-beya.

Kakuryu arrives to observe the process.

Commemorative pictures with the rikishi involved.

Fun with Kakutaiki.

From left, the hemp is shown before, during and after the asamomi process, which takes about half an hour.

It appears he'll be using the set that was recently brought back to use by Kitanoumi himself, at his kanreki dohyo-iri last year.

The Rijicho's kesho-mawashi have already arrived.

Away from all the mess, wakaimonogashira Fukunosato makes the red and white nejiri hachimaki which the rikishi will wear during the tsunauchi.

On the board, he's still an Ozeki, but the clock is ticking.

Edited March 25, 2014 by Yubinhaad

[Asashosakari 19,663]

The tsuna-uchi is taking place today (may in fact have happened already by now).

The actual tsuna will be made tomorrow, I believe. Today rikishi from the ichimon gathered at Izutsu-beya to carry out the asamomi, preparing the hemp for the tsuna by kneading it with rice bran.

Yeah, I misread the article. Makes more sense this way, anyway - it seemed odd to me that they'd fit the tsuna before the messengers have come by.

Ichinojo looks like he's pondering which tsuna length will be right for him in a while.

Edited March 25, 2014 by Asashosakari

[Kurt Trendafilov 5]

According to YDC chairman Uchiyama some concerns were raised in the meeting about having a third concurrent foreign yokozuna, but with all three of them "well-attuned to Japanese culture"* it was deemed to be no issue. The meeting concluded with its unanimous vote of approval in only 11 minutes.

Member Kōmura Masahiko was the one with a comment in that direction:

http://www.sponichi.co.jp/sports/news/2014/03/24/kiji/K20140324007839790.html

The papers reported yesterday that there was no objection at all.

If these were his actual words, it seems as a very mild remark, not nearly an objection. But there is probably more to it, as someone has suggested?

[krindel 675]

Ichiryu, who joined Izutsu-beya this basho.

Heck of a timing!

[Asashosakari 19,663]

If these were his actual words, it seems as a very mild remark, not nearly an objection. But there is probably more to it, as someone has suggested?

As far as I know the actual meeting takes place behind closed doors. His comments for public consumption aren't necessarily the same as what he said in private.

[Akinomaki 40,790]

If these were his actual words, it seems as a very mild remark, not nearly an objection. But there is probably more to it, as someone has suggested?

As far as I know the actual meeting takes place behind closed doors. His comments for public consumption aren't necessarily the same as what he said in private.

There must have been more direct words there then ended up in this comments for the press, still with "iron issai nashi":

http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/sports/sumo/news/20140324-OYT1T00851.htm

I wouldn't have expected a headline like "worries about having 3 Mongolian yokozuna":

http://www.sanspo.com/sports/news/20140325/sum14032505400002-n1.html

[Chinonofuji 35]

Kakuryuu will be doing his first dohyo-iri on the 28th (that's three days from today..) at the Meiji Jingu shrine and on the 30th at Ise Shrine.. Some logistic problems:

Problem 1: Kakuryuu needs the three-piece suit dohyo-iri garb (mitsuzoroi) that he and his two attendants wear during the ceremony. None in the Ichimon, as ties with ex-Kashiwado's family (the last Yokozuna to come out of Tokitsukaze Ichimon back in 1961) have not been maintained.

Solution 1: Borrow it from Kitanoumi rijicho, outside of the Ichimon.

Problem 2: Tokitsukaze Ichimon has not had a Yokozuna since 1961 (Kashiwado). Nobody there knows anything about doing the Unryu style dohyo-iri.

Solution 2: Ask Takanohana to teach him.

Alert! Possible remedial questions ahead about the dohyō-iri.

First, and a very minor question, regarding the mitsuzoroi issue mentioned above, couldn't Kakuryu's koenkai have donated the garb? Fine that this was found in the end, of course, but there's no requirement, right? (Or was the issue was that everything is happening so fast?) Perhaps in the future, we'll see him modeling some new duds.

Second question. Is it completely up to Kakuryu whether to enter with unryu or shiranui? Or is that a tradition with each ichimon? How/why is it decided?

Third, according to Wikipedia, one of the primary differences between the two styles is that "it is often thought that Unryu style expresses a combination of defence and offence, while Shiranui expresses offense only." But this is then followed by a bunch of question marks. Is this the main difference between the two styles?

Finally, I recall a time when shiranui was considered the "lesser" of the two styles. (I guess b/c it was associated with Futahaguro?) Has that been put to bed, given Hakuho's success? Any mention of that after Kak's selection?

[krindel 675]

Kakuryuu will be doing his first dohyo-iri on the 28th (that's three days from today..) at the Meiji Jingu shrine and on the 30th at Ise Shrine.. Some logistic problems:

Problem 1: Kakuryuu needs the three-piece suit dohyo-iri garb (mitsuzoroi) that he and his two attendants wear during the ceremony. None in the Ichimon, as ties with ex-Kashiwado's family (the last Yokozuna to come out of Tokitsukaze Ichimon back in 1961) have not been maintained.

Solution 1: Borrow it from Kitanoumi rijicho, outside of the Ichimon.

Problem 2: Tokitsukaze Ichimon has not had a Yokozuna since 1961 (Kashiwado). Nobody there knows anything about doing the Unryu style dohyo-iri.

Solution 2: Ask Takanohana to teach him.

Alert! Possible remedial questions ahead about the dohyō-iri.

First, and a very minor question, regarding the mitsuzoroi issue mentioned above, couldn't Kakuryu's koenkai have donated the garb? Fine that this was found in the end, of course, but there's no requirement, right? (Or was the issue was that everything is happening so fast?) Perhaps in the future, we'll see him modeling some new duds.

Second question. Is it completely up to Kakuryu whether to enter with unryu or shiranui? Or is that a tradition with each ichimon? How/why is it decided?

Third, according to Wikipedia, one of the primary differences between the two styles is that "it is often thought that Unryu style expresses a combination of defence and offence, while Shiranui expresses offense only." But this is then followed by a bunch of question marks. Is this the main difference between the two styles?

Finally, I recall a time when shiranui was considered the "lesser" of the two styles. (I guess b/c it was associated with Futahaguro?) Has that been put to bed, given Hakuho's success? Any mention of that after Kak's selection?

My two cents worth, maybe someone can elaborate more...

First, making a set of kesho-mawashi takes forever, its detailed and expensive work. I don't think any Ozeki has one made in advance just in case :). I am sure his koenkai is already planning the one they'll donate to him soon.

Second, yes, he can choose, but it usually goes by ichimon / heya tradition. Both current Yokozuna are of the Isegahama ichimon which has a tradition of Shiranui-style dohyo-iri (check Isegahama Oyakata's comments on that when Harumafuji got his tsuna). But some choose differently (like Wakanohana III who chose Shiranui instead of his family tradition with Unryu)

Third, no idea to be honest :)

Finally, there was a so called "curse of the Shiranui" that was floating about for a while. It is definitely rarer than Unryu historically, but it has nothing to do with a "lesser" style though, it was just the coincidence of having some weak or mediocre Yokozuna who were using the Shiranui style (Wakanohana III, Asahifuji, Futahaguro, Takanosato) when several consecutive Dai-yokozuna where Unryu style... Asahifuji and Wakanohana III's Shiranui vs Takanohana / Akebono / Musashimaru / Asashoryu's Unryu is a comparison that's not exactly favorable :). I think Hakuho put an end to that once and for all though, I don't remember hearing something like that when Harumafuji chose Shiranui. :).

Edited March 25, 2014 by krindel

[Akinomaki 40,790]

He wants to use an easy to understand phrase for the acceptance ceremony

news 9 sports corner

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EjTGgNqr1Ro

NHK news7 (hidden) video http://www3.nhk.or.jp/news/html/20140325/k10013224571000.html

pics

meeting the press





the set

asa-momi

The teacher

Edited March 26, 2014 by Akinomaki

[Asashosakari 19,663]

It's interesting that the Shiranui style has seen such a rise of late, actually. Just scrolling down the Wiki list of yokozuna, it's amazing what a complete also-ran it was until about 30 years ago, but now it's been used by 6 of the last 12 yokozuna before Kakuryu.

Edited March 25, 2014 by Asashosakari

[Kintamayama 45,530]

He wants to use an easy to understand phrase for the acceptance ceremony

"You didn't see that coming, ne???"

[Swami 245]

He's the first since Onokuni to be promoted without consecutive yusho.

Swami

[torquato 1,075]

Interesting piece of trivia that I did not know: In December of 2011 on the 100th anniversary of the great Futabayama's birthday, Hakuhou (who is his greatest fan) did a dohyo-iri Unryuu style!!! Back then he also was helped by the Takasago lads.

Interesting indeed. I've found a video showing this dohyoiri:

[Yasashiryu 16]

Are those Sports casting news from Channel 9 always dubbed? Oh wow, would love to get sub/dubbed sumo news on a daily basis. :-O

[Ashikawazu 43]

It's interesting that the Shiranui style has seen such a rise of late, actually. Just scrolling down the Wiki list of yokozuna, it's amazing what a complete also-ran it was until about 30 years ago, but now it's been used by 6 of the last 12 yokozuna before Kakuryu.

Interesting page. Never knew about Hitachiyama style:

"He also performed the yokozuna dohyō-iri in an innovative way. Unlike yokozuna before him, he would at first hold out both arms after he made a clap, and after he did the sumo-style leg stomps, he would raise only his right arm."

Apparently Hitachiyama performed his dohyō-iri for USA President Theodore Roosevelt at the White House. :D (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hitachiyama_Taniemon)

Would it be possible for a newly promoted yokozuna to adopt his style?

Edited March 26, 2014 by Ashikawazu

[Chiyozakura 148]

First, making a set of kesho-mawashi takes forever, its detailed and expensive work. I don't think any Ozeki has one made in advance just in case :). I am sure his koenkai is already planning the one they'll donate to him soon.

Actually it is not unusual for a Koenkai to jump the gun with Yokozuna kesho mawashi. I have read that Asahifuji had a set ready for nearly two years before he was finally promoted. Kitanoumi wore his shisho's set for his first dohyo-iri as his was not ready, yet. That was the only time that the Masuiyama set was used as Masuiyama himself had never been promoted despite his koenkai having a set made for him.

[Yubinhaad 11,761]

Awaiting the messengers...

[Yubinhaad 11,761]

A few early photos - there will certainly be better ones from the press (and hopefully the Kyokai) over the coming hours.

The messengers were Hakkaku-oyakata (former Yokozuna Hokutoumi) and Minato-oyakata (former Maegashira Minatofuji).

Another fish.

The 71st Yokozuna gets a kiss from his parents.

And a lift from his stablemates.

[Masumasumasu 902]

[Akinomaki 40,790]

Are those Sports casting news from Channel 9 always dubbed? Oh wow, would love to get sub/dubbed sumo news on a daily basis. :-O

That "Fukushima Ai" impersonating YouTube channel has the sports corner of NHK's "news watch9". Both news7 and news9 are originally broadcast bilingual on NHK Kokusai hōsō, which is e. g. available in Europe and around (I think Israel is included) free to watch on JSTV via satellite.

There you can of course select the language and have only English, the Youtube video has it mixed.

[Yasashiryu 16]

Ah thanks. I get NHK World via cable, I'm guessing they might have a sports' section on their newscast.

[Kintamayama 45,530]

The messenger arrived late, it has now been revealed. After the special rijikai decided on Kakuryuu's promotion, the messenger ( Hakkaku) was dispatched to bring the news. It's a 10 minute car drive between the stadium where the rijikai was held and the Izutsu lodgings. But the messenger was late. "Where is he? He should have been here by now.." said the worried Izutsu people. It turns out he was sent by the Kyokai to Izutsu's last year lodgings. "I rang the bell 'ding dong ding dong' but no one answered. This is where I became suspicious.. It was a Kyokai screw-up" , said a shamed Hakkaku later.

Edited March 26, 2014 by Kintamayama

[Akinomaki 40,790]

Former Kyokushuzan (now has an important job in the administration) started working to get Kakuryu a medal from Mongolia

http://www.sponichi.co.jp/sports/news/2014/03/26/kiji/K20140326007848100.html

[Kintamayama 45,530]

Problem 3: Nobody in the Ichimon has any idea how to make an Unryuu style tsuna for the tsuna uchi.It is different in length etc. As both current Yokozuna use the Shiranui style, that won't help.

Solution 3: Go to Takasago beya (outside of the Ichimon..) where some of the guys used to make it for Asashouryuu, who did it the Unryuu way, and ask for their help.

So it turns out not many guys left from back then that actually knew how to fasten the tsuna Unryuu style. Luckily, someone found a video of that from a jungyo when Asashouryuu fastened it. So they were actually watching the video and checking out how exactly it was tied.

Side note: Shiranui has a double knot tie in the back. Unryuu has one knot. The tying of it is different in itself and that was where the video was consulted.

Edited March 26, 2014 by Kintamayama

[Senkoho 552]

umm... shouldn't it be, like, written down somewhere?

Edited March 26, 2014 by Senkoho