Women mount dohyo during emergency at jungyo

[dada78641 884]

It's never going to work of course, but they know that. These things are designed to put the pressure on for change. And they make a good point in that sumo receives a lot of federal funding, which puts the government in an awkward position. It's always a major 迷惑 to the sumo world when politicians start having debates about them.

[Akinomaki 40,774]

Asahi shimbun made a random phone survey on the 19th and 20th - about politics mainly and last the question: should women be allowed on the dohyo at ceremonies. About 4000 households were called, about 1900 replied. 65% in favor (among men: 69%, women: 62%),  23% against. In all age groups, "in favor" got more votes than against.

http://www.asahi.com/articles/ASL5N524LL5NUZPS008.html

http://www.asahi.com/articles/ASL5N4SQYL5NUZPS002.html

[Rocks 1,809]

I expect this to fade away. Nothing will happen before Akihito abdicates and I seriously doubt it will any time soon after that.

[Akinomaki 40,774]

On 5/18/2018 at 04:37, Akinomaki said:

16692 ordinary netizens have signed a petition to the Cabinet office public interest certification committee (where also Taka had aimed his complaint at), demanding to strip the NSK of their hugely tax exempt public interest status, because "it means using taxes for an organization that discriminates women". A housewife from Tokyo had collected the signatures since Apr. 10th on the net, she aims to hand it to the Cabinet office on May 23rd. http://www.daily.co.jp/general/2018/05/17/0011265441.shtml

 

Here we have this housewife (center) with helpers yesterday handing in finally 16939 signatures. http://rd.kyodo-d.info/np/2018052301001874?c=39546741839462401

TBS newpage with video http://news.tbs.co.jp/newseye/tbs_newseye3376687.htm

-> youtube-dl  http://flvstream.tbs.co.jp/flvfiles/_definst_/newsi/news3376687_33.mp4/chunklist_w420317133.m3u8

Edited May 24, 2018 by Akinomaki

[Akinomaki 40,774]

The NSK refused to take part in a convention to think about the ban for women on the dohyo, on the 2nd in Takarazuka, the center of the anti-tradition campaign. This means that likely only 2 from the opponent side will hold a speech. http://mainichi.jp/articles/20180529/ddl/k28/040/368000c

On the 29th at the Education and Science committee, member of the House of Councillors (and as ex- governor of Osaka veteran in the fight against the tradition) Fusae Ota proposed to have the award ceremonies after the kami-okuri ceremony, that sends the gods, that dwell there during the basho, away from the dohyo and back home. PR top Shibatayama was present as witness: "We will make a survey among the citizens. We'll use this proposal as a reference." http://mainichi.jp/articles/20180530/k00/00m/050/087000c

Keiko with kids will be canceled at the jungyo in August, according to the plan of the NSK http://yamagata-np.jp/news/201805/30/kj_2018053000623.php

Keiko with kids had always been only for boys, till in 2012 Kitanoumi decided after requests by the locals to allow also girls. http://www.tokyo-np.co.jp/article/kanagawa/list/201805/CK2018052002000137.html

Keiko with kids is always a highlight at the jungyo and all locations want to have it back, but the NSK has to decide - thus for a jungyo in Kyoto in October, it is now only under consideration. http://www.sankei.com/west/news/180529/wst1805290026-n1.html

[Akinomaki 40,774]

A few survey data,  recent and the old NSK instigated survey.

In Takarazuka (famous for the women-only Takarazuka theater troop), some see the protest actions of the mayor just as a performance - the year before she had no complaints when talking from below the doyho. A phone and email survey among the citizens till May 18th brought for "the ban is an anachronism" only 104, but for "the kokugi and the tradition have to be respected" 408 replies.

The 3 year survey by a physical education professor of Tokai university from 2004 on among spectators at the basho, got for "Keep the ban": in 2004 65.5%, in 2006 72.6% and 2007 64.1%. Just in respect of allowing women at ceremonies, against it: 59.1%/69.3%/63.3%. Another survey question: "Will it result in more female fans if the ban is lifted?", got as "I don't think so", in 2004 73.1%, 2005 85.1% and 2006 76.6%.

The NSK now wants to renew this survey.

http://www.sankei.com/west/news/180530/wst1805300004-n2.html

[Akinomaki 40,774]

On 4/23/2018 at 14:02, Akinomaki said:

The mayor of Maizuru, who was the cause for all this, can talk now, but still needs rest. He was moved from the ICU to an ordinary sickbed on the 20th. It is expected that he can resume his duties during the first 10 days of May.

It had been reported later that it would take longer, and yesterday the mayor of Maizuru left hospital - he and a doctor were interviewed.

Asked about his views on the ban of women on the doyho, he said he'll give a detailed statement when he's back in office end of the month. NHK local news page with video http://www3.nhk.or.jp/lnews/kyoto/20180614/2010000179.html

o o oo

longer video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ukx7zyAEbds

Edited June 28, 2018 by Akinomaki

[Asashosakari 19,653]

On 5/31/2018 at 20:01, Akinomaki said:

The 3 year survey by a physical education professor of Tokai university from 2004 on among spectators at the basho, got for "Keep the ban": in 2004 65.5%, in 2006 72.6% and 2007 64.1%. Just in respect of allowing women at ceremonies, against it: 59.1%/69.3%/63.3%. Another survey question: "Will it result in more female fans if the ban is lifted?", got as "I don't think so", in 2004 73.1%, 2005 85.1% and 2006 76.6%.

The NSK now wants to renew this survey.

Old threads pertaining to those surveys:

 

[Akinomaki 40,774]

On 6/15/2018 at 13:42, Akinomaki said:

the mayor of Maizuru left hospital -

Asked about his views on the ban of women on the doyho, he said he'll give a detailed statement when he's back in office end of the month.

He returned to office and gave that statement today, hinting that the tradition is outdated, but not demanding abolition outright - just that the NSK should be prepared to react properly according to every possible situation, and if they want to go through with the tradition, have men ready to react at once - "For life saving, there are no men and women." https://www.asahi.com/articles/ASL6X5GFBL6XPLZB00V.html

NHK news-page with video http://www3.nhk.or.jp/kansai-news/20180628/0002233.html

Edited June 28, 2018 by Akinomaki

[Akinomaki 40,774]

The young gyoji has left the NSK

3 minutes ago, Akinomaki said:

The NSK announced that sd gyoji Kimura Masatoshi (23, Chiganoura) has resigned from his job as of June 30th. http://www.nikkansports.com/battle/sumo/news/201807030000552.html

On 4/19/2018 at 10:41, Akinomaki said:

The name of the so called "young gyoji" who made the announcement of "women leave!" is still not reported in the news, though he is not a minor and the reporters should have no problems to know it. From the facts in this tabloid article, Kimura Masatoshi is the one.

[Akinomaki 40,774]

On 4/19/2018 at 17:29, Akinomaki said:

the mayor of Otsu, where the summer jungyo is planned in July, told the jungyo men on simple PR duty to have changes in the NSK and told the press that she'll refuse to make the address speech from below the dohyo.

The Otsu jungyo will take place next Monday - the mayor had called for a discussion about "Women and the dohyo" at the national lawyer-mayor meeting in her city yesterday. She had promised to refuse to give an address from below the doyho - and now she hasn't received a request to attend the jungyo event - "I don't know the reason", she told the astonished members at the meeting. The chairman lawyer-mayor thinks about a proposal to the national mayor assembly: for equality, mayors in general should not step onto the dohyo for the address speech. http://www.kyoto-np.co.jp/politics/article/20180723000174

[Akinomaki 40,774]

At the regular rijikai on the 26th, it was affirmed that they will continue to discuss the future methods to investigate the issue of women not allowed on the dohyo. PR-top Shibatayama: "We will also further talk about how to build a structure to do an extensive survey." http://www.sanspo.com/sports/news/20180726/sum18072619070002-n1.html

 

[Asashosakari 19,653]

On 7/24/2018 at 19:27, Akinomaki said:

The chairman lawyer-mayor thinks about a proposal to the national mayor assembly: for equality, mayors in general should not step onto the dohyo for the address speech. http://www.kyoto-np.co.jp/politics/article/20180723000174

I think they'll find that their presence won't be overly missed if it becomes the new normal thing, certainly at privately promoted jungyo. (Those organized by some municipal entity might be a different matter, but then the jungyo schedule is overcrowded as it is...)

[Akinomaki 40,774]

On 4/7/2018 at 09:58, Kintamayama said:

Female Mayor Nakagawa  of Takarazuka gave her speech from the side of the dohyo yesterday, just like last year.

Later she held a press conference at City Hall. "... As for next year, I don't mind if it's on the dohyo or off the dohyo, as long as  by then men and women will be equally allowed on the dohyo. ..."

In Takarazuka there won't be a next year. The promoters: "No plans for next year", "2 years in a row was exceptional. There has to be a blank to have the people come again." The NSK: "We haven't heard from them." http://www.kobe-np.co.jp/news/sougou/201808/0011499772.shtml

Usually "we'll get a jungyo!" is the news - but here "we get no jungyo!" is the big news

Edited August 1, 2018 by Akinomaki

[Otokonoyama 2,735]

Female Mayor Installs Sumo Ring In Kitchen So Husband Must Do The Cooking

Quote

A female mayor at the center of a fierce debate over allowing women into the sumo ring vowed Wednesday to build a dohyo in her own kitchen so she could be banned from doing the cooking...

https://www.therisingwasabi.com/female-mayor-installs-sumo-ring-in-kitchen-so-husband-must-do-the-cooking/

 

[Eikokurai 3,437]

11 hours ago, Otokonoyama said:

Female Mayor Installs Sumo Ring In Kitchen So Husband Must Do The Cooking

 

I like to think the husband will respond by preparing only chankonabe for the rest of their lives.

[orandashoho 720]

That looks like an awfully big kitchen for any home, let alone a Japanese one. Does anyone know whose dohyo this really is?

[Yamanashi 3,903]

2 minutes ago, orandashoho said:

That looks like an awfully big kitchen for any home, let alone a Japanese one. Does anyone know whose dohyo this really is?

It looks like a heya dohyo.  Apparently, a crew of yobidashi periodically come around to freshen up the dohyo at each heya (Narutobeya just got a renovation done).

  I think therisingwasabi.com is having a little joke.  Mayor-san's comments don't sound authentic.

[Eikokurai 3,437]

10 minutes ago, Yamanashi said:

It looks like a heya dohyo.  Apparently, a crew of yobidashi periodically come around to freshen up the dohyo at each heya (Narutobeya just got a renovation done).

  I think therisingwasabi.com is having a little joke.  Mayor-san's comments don't sound authentic.

Is it like the Onion? Seems that way. Only fully about Japan.

[Yatagarasu 352]

22 hours ago, Eikokurai said:

Is it like the Onion? Seems that way. Only fully about Japan.

Yes, it is a satirical website.

[orandashoho 720]

Unfortunately, I can't quite make out the shikona on the far right of the board. If someone can, we'd know which heya's dohyo this is.

[Akinomaki 40,774]

On 23/04/2018 at 14:02, Akinomaki said:

At a special riji-kai on the 28th, the tradition of banning women from the dohyo will be discussed, including the NSK's external officials. That was a demand of the mayor of Takarazuka and PR top Shibatayama had promised to enter a dispute about it, but: "I don't know if we can reach a prompt decision."

The mayor of Takarazuka wants to know if there has been some advancement in the matter of the ban on women since she met with Shibatayama last April and got promised from him some efforts - she will have a meeting with him on the 8th in Osaka. http://www.kobe-np.co.jp/news/sougou/201903/0012117197.shtml

[Akinomaki 40,774]

On 05/03/2019 at 10:16, Akinomaki said:

The mayor of Takarazuka wants to know if there has been some advancement in the matter of the ban on women since she met with Shibatayama last April and got promised from him some efforts - she will have a meeting with him on the 8th in Osaka. http://www.kobe-np.co.jp/news/sougou/201903/0012117197.shtml

She told about the meeting, Shibatayama told her the NSK does not intend to allow women on the dohyo, and that it's a mistake to think of it as discrimination. To investigate the problem,  the NSK has installed a committee including external experts, the first meeting is planned for April or May.

o

local NHK vid: http://www3.nhk.or.jp/lnews/kobe/20190308/2020003288.html

 

The Hyogo pref. lawyer assembly on the 5th had officially called the ban a discrimination against women. http://www.sanspo.com/sports/news/20190305/sum19030523140007-n1.html

Local NHK vid: http://www3.nhk.or.jp/lnews/kobe/20190305/2020003252.html

 

Women cutting below the dohyo at the danpatsu-shiki of Takanoiwa in the kokugikan last month

o o

[Otokonoyama 2,735]

EDITORIAL: JSA duty-bound to deliver on vow about ban on females in dohyo

Quote

The Japan Sumo Association (JSA) is showing no sign of being more conscious about the role it plays in society and its responsibility.

Tournaments are as popular as ever, and the results have raised expectations for the next generation of sumo wrestlers: four up-and-coming wrestlers won a tournament for the first time during the past year. The JSA is expecting another sellout crowd for the next 15-day tournament starting July 7 in Nagoya.

But the association has done nothing to deliver on one important promise to the public: serious debate on a tradition that bars women from entering the sumo ring, or dohyo.

The issue came to the fore in April last year during a tour in a city in Kyoto Prefecture. When a group of women, including a nurse, rushed to the dohyo to save the life of a guest of honor, the mayor of the city, who suddenly collapsed in the ring while giving a speech due to subarachnoid hemorrhage, they were urged to leave the dohyo over the public address system. The JSA’s thoughtless and callous response to what happened surprised the public.

Another episode concerning the issue took place during the association’s next tour in Hyogo Prefecture. When a female city mayor asked for permission to give a speech in the dohyo, the organizing committee consisting of local companies and organizations rejected her request after consulting with the JSA.

The association was bitterly criticized over these episodes, and JSA chairman Hakkaku, former yokozuna Hokutoumi, issued a statement, apologizing for the PA announcement asking the women administering cardiac massage on the stricken mayor to leave the ring. He promised to conduct a survey to ascertain what the public thinks about the centuries-old ban.

Hakkaku said the association will “consider” the issue after studying the results of the survey and listening to outside opinions.

More than a year has passed since the statement was issued, but almost nothing has been heard about what association has done to deal with the issue.

The first meeting of a committee set up to examine the issue was held finally in May, according to the association. But the fact was not publicized and little information about the committee has been offered. Even the names of the members were not released. When the association was contacted, all it disclosed is that the committee is chaired by Oguruma, the JSA director and its No. 2 man and former ozeki known as Kotokaze.

The association’s tardiness in responding to public criticism and its traditional closed nature are unacceptable.

We cannot help but doubt the JSA’s commitment to tackling the issue and finding an acceptable answer.

There were surveys on this issue during the period between 2004 and 2007. Hakkaku’s statement referred to the fact that more than 50 percent of respondents in these surveys were opposed to even allowing women to enter the dohyo only during awards ceremonies.

But the results also showed that respondents were almost equally divided over the issue. In one of the surveys, the numbers of respondents supporting and opposing the change were the same. It should be noted that the surveys only covered people who came to watch sumo matches, not the public at large.

In a nationwide Asahi Shimbun survey in May last year, 65 percent of respondents supported the idea of allowing women to enter the ring.

What should not be forgotten is the fact that the association is a public interest corporation entitled to favorable tax treatment and other regulatory advantages.

That means it needs broad support from the public, not just from core sumo fans, to maintain its status.

It should be keenly aware of this fact in deciding on the methods of future surveys, analyzing their results and discussing the issue.

The JSA cites “tradition” as a reason for banning women from the dohyo. In the history of sumo, however, various steps have been taken to break with its traditions in response to changing times.

The four pillars to support the roof over the ring have been removed for television broadcasting, for instance. Wrestlers belonging to the same “heya” stable are now allowed to face off in bouts. The association has even accepted foreign nationals as wrestlers.

If it continues resting on the laurels of the popularity of the sport and dragging its feet on much-needed reforms, the sumo governing body will find itself in hot water sooner or later.

http://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/AJ201907060018.html

 

[Nantonoyama 252]

3 hours ago, Otokonoyama said:

The four pillars to support the roof over the ring have been removed for television broadcasting, for instance. Wrestlers belonging to the same “heya” stable are now allowed to face off in bouts. The association has even accepted foreign nationals as wrestlers.

Oh really?