Bearded gyoji/wrestlers

[dada78641 884]

I was watching old sumo videos on Youtube, and found this one where the gyoji has a big beard:

It's more like a big white carpet, really.

I've never seen a bearded gyoji before, so this makes me wonder if today there are rules against facial hair, or if the current complete lack of facial hair among both wrestlers and officials is just a matter of unwritten rules.

As a free bonus, here's Kisenosato:

edit: the most I've ever seen are long sideburns like Toki. And occasionally Harumafuji's "it sucks to shave with acne" two days stubble that is only really visible on HD.

Edited October 3, 2017 by dada78641

[Yamanashi 3,783]

4 minutes ago, dada78641 said:

I was watching old sumo videos on Youtube, and found this one where the gyoji has a big beard:

It's more like a big white carpet, really.

I've never seen a bearded gyoji before, so this makes me wonder if today there are rules against facial hair, or if the current complete lack of facial hair among both wrestlers and officials is just a matter of unwritten rules.

As a free bonus, here's Kisenosato:

Kisenosato looks like an extra from a failed Will Ferrell Sumo comedy.

 

[Benihana 1,916]

I think i read something here on the forum during the last year about a sumotori getting hissed at for not shaving properly. I know for sure that Toki-esque sideburns is as far as you can go, maybe even less nowadays. Written or not, i don't know. I've seen this pic of Kisenosato before and i'm glad he has to shave. On the other hand i'm sure the long georgian could grow a pretty impressive pornstache. What a nice view to imagine.

Edited October 3, 2017 by Benihana

[Benevolance 2,484]

Apparently they used to be more common. From Wikipedia:

"Bearded gyoji are very territorial sub-genus of sumo. As they grow, they establish social hierarchies in which displays of aggression and appeasement form a normal part of their social interactions. Bearded gyoji display a hand-waving gesture to show submission, and a head-bobbing display to show dominance between gyoji.  The beard is used for both mating and aggression displays. Bearded gyoji can produce a mild venom, originating from primitive venom glands. Though generally harmless to rikishi, it is effective against the shinpan in establishing territorial dominance during a mono-ii.

In the early 1900s, they were found throughout much of Japan in a wide range of habitats such as stables, karaoke bars, and stadiums. Today, bearded gyoji are extinct in the wild and may only found in captivity."

[Kuroyama 715]

Lol...

Seriously though. That's the 19th Shikimori Inosuke, who was uniquely permitted to have a beard because (if I recall correctly) of a skin condition that made shaving painful. I don't know if the rule is written or unwritten, but it's definitely expected that everyone on the dohyo will be clean-shaven for some reason. I can see it in the case of the rikishi, but to me a beard lends a certain air of authority to a gyoji. They really ought to allow them.

He's also well-known for an incident following a bout on Day 1 of the 1958 Aki basho between Kitanonada (then M7e) and Yokozuna Tochinishiki. It was a close call, and he pointed the gunbai at Tochinishiki. A mono-ii was called, and the shimpan reversed his decision. He believed they were in the wrong and actually argued with them right there on the dohyo before finally giving in and awarding the victory to Kitanonada. He was suspended as a result. However, newspaper photos the next day proved he had been correct, that Kitanonada's elbow had in fact touched down first. Public outcry forced his reinstatement.

He has a page on the Japanese Wikipedia, but not the English. https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/式守伊之助_(19代)

[Swami 245]

Wajima once went through the entire basho without shaving, I think it was Natsu 1973 (which he won the yusho).

 

Swami

[Asojima 2,873]

Up until about 5 years ago, some sekitori would stop shaving for the duration of a winning or losing streak.  I think the kyokai may have put a stop to this.

[Yatagarasu 352]

2 hours ago, Asojima said:

Up until about 5 years ago, some sekitori would stop shaving for the duration of a winning or losing streak.  I think the kyokai may have put a stop to this.

Pretty sure I saw some mid-basho stubble on a few of them the other week (I think Onosho was among them).  This may explain why.  

[rhyen 1,826]

How many fines has Tochinoshin paid up to today?

PS: I bet that Takayasu, Chiyomaru & Shohozan must be glad that they don't need to wax their body hair...yet.

Edited October 4, 2017 by rhyen

[orandashoho 720]

2 hours ago, John Gunning said:

A rikishi told me privately today that the kyokai now fines them 200,000 if they show up with stubble or beardy at honbasho

That is a hefty sum for most of them.

[ryafuji 811]

7 hours ago, Asojima said:

Up until about 5 years ago, some sekitori would stop shaving for the duration of a winning or losing streak.  I think the kyokai may have put a stop to this.

Kotonowaka was one I definitely remember doing that while on a winning streak. Shame the spoilsports in suits have stopped it.... I don't see the logic in not shaving while on a losing streak though

[Shatsume 117]

3 hours ago, ryafuji said:

Kotonowaka was one I definitely remember doing that while on a winning streak. Shame the spoilsports in suits have stopped it.... I don't see the logic in not shaving while on a losing streak though

There's no logic in not shaving whilst on a winning streak either...

[ryafuji 811]

27 minutes ago, Shatsume said:

There's no logic in not shaving whilst on a winning streak either...

OK perhaps logic is the wrong word. There is a reason - you don't want to change anything while things are going well, so you decide to stop shaving. A losing streak usually means you try something different, ie. change the colour of your mawashi, even change your shikona if it goes on too long. I don't get why you would carry on doing the same thing.

[Asojima 2,873]

37 minutes ago, ryafuji said:

A losing streak usually means you try something different, ie. ....

I will stop shaving until I get a win. As long as I am fighting like crap, I will look like crap.

Edited October 4, 2017 by Asojima

[rhyen 1,826]

6 hours ago, John Gunning said:

A rikishi told me privately today that the kyokai now fines them 200,000 if they show up with stubble or beardy at honbasho

Must have been...Boody

[Shatsume 117]

1 hour ago, ryafuji said:

OK perhaps logic is the wrong word. There is a reason - you don't want to change anything while things are going well, so you decide to stop shaving. A losing streak usually means you try something different, ie. change the colour of your mawashi, even change your shikona if it goes on too long. I don't get why you would carry on doing the same thing.

I know, i'm just being a troll

Neither makes sense to me, but I agree, surely you change stuff up when on a losing streak if that way inclined.

[HYI 8]

I saw Chiyonofuji with a bear

[dada78641 884]

52 minutes ago, HYI said:

I saw Chiyonofuji with a bear

He is truly such an amazing wrestler. Did not realize he also took down wild animals.

[ryafuji 811]

Maybe he exited, pursued by a bear?

[Yatagarasu 352]

3 hours ago, Asojima said:

I will stop shaving until I get a win. As long as I am fighting like crap, I will look like crap.

As every lovable rugged underdog should!

[Gurowake 4,025]

If Tochinoshin shaves in the morning, he could easily have visible stubble by the time of his scheduled match later in the same day.

Edited October 4, 2017 by Gurowake

[Swami 245]

Takamiyama's sideburns were always impressive.

 

Swami

[Jakusotsu 5,877]

8 hours ago, Gurowake said:

If Tochinoshin shaves in the morning, he could easily have visible stubble by the time of his scheduled match later in the same day.

You're too young obviously to remember the real Beagle Boy.

[Benihana 1,916]

On 4.10.2017 at 19:27, Asojima said:

I will stop shaving until I get a win. As long as I am fighting like crap, I will look like crap.

Hattorizakura when he ends his career:

Spoiler

SCNR

 

[Fukurou 534]

In the NFL, it is legal for a player to be pulled down or tackled by hair hanging below his helmet (it's illegal to grab his shoulder pads from the rear, but you can grab and tackle him using hair hanging down his back). We all know it's illegal for a rikishi to grab the hair on his opponent's head, but would it be illegal for him to grab his opponent's facial hair/beard (always assuming it was long enough to grab)?

No more strikes to the face, just grab hold and pull! (owwww!)

Edited October 6, 2017 by Fukurou