Kitanofuji stuff

[Kaminariyuki 500]

I need to remember where this thread is, come September. But, maybe Kitanofuji will entertain us through one of you Japanese-speaking forum members before then. 

[Seiyashi 4,108]

  On 21/07/2021 at 19:57, Kaminariyuki said:

I need to remember where this thread is, come September. But, maybe Kitanofuji will entertain us through one of you Japanese-speaking forum members before then. 

Follow the thread (top right corner). Then you get a newsletter in your email inbox.

[Kaminariyuki 500]

  On 18/07/2021 at 01:52, Kaninoyama said:

"I've got no interest in tomorrow's last match. I'm so mad I'm going to eat and go to bed."

 

I'll bet he watched it.  

[Kaninoyama 1,818]

  On 21/07/2021 at 22:08, Kaminariyuki said:

 

I'll bet he watched it.  

He was doing the commentary, so he had to. But after the final bout, he was still so livid he could hardly get any words out. 

[Kaminariyuki 500]

  On 21/07/2021 at 23:08, Kaninoyama said:

He was doing the commentary, so he had to. But after the final bout, he was still so livid he could hardly get any words out. 

I hope he's still doing color when we finally get to travel in Japan again. I'd like to get a Japanese friend to translate a bit and I'm guessing I might pick up a new phrase or two.

[Kaninoyama 1,818]

  On 21/07/2021 at 23:41, Kaminariyuki said:

I hope he's still doing color when we finally get to travel in Japan again. I'd like to get a Japanese friend to translate a bit and I'm guessing I might pick up a new phrase or two.

He's 79, so you'd better hurry. 

[Kaminariyuki 500]

Probably why some of us think he's so humorous, we see ourselves with another 15-25 years to become more irascible than we are now.

Reminds me of myself, anyway, but with even less filter.

[Kaminariyuki 500]

  On 22/07/2021 at 00:23, Kaninoyama said:

He's 79, so you'd better hurry. 

Until visa restrictions are lifted, we rely upon our bilingual friends. Arigatou gozaimasu.

[Kaminariyuki 500]

I've just read something complimentary and something outrageous about Kitanofuji in Lora Sharnoff's book, "Grand Sumo." The author states that Kitanofuji was widely regarded in the late 1980s as the first modern-minded Yokozuna.

Not that is should cut into his rights to criticize active Yokozuna, but she then goes on to state that in 1972 he became the first Yokozuna to go kyujo due to insomnia!?

[sumojoann 1,268]

  On 01/08/2021 at 22:07, Kaminariyuki said:

I've just read something complimentary and something outrageous about Kitanofuji in Lora Sharnoff's book, "Grand Sumo." The author states that Kitanofuji was widely regarded in the late 1980s as the first modern-minded Yokozuna.

Not that is should cut into his rights to criticize active Yokozuna, but she then goes on to state that in 1972 he became the first Yokozuna to go kyujo due to insomnia!?

It's true that Kitanofuji did go kyujo once due to insomnia but there were extenuating circumstances.  Here is an excerpt from Wikipedia. -----

"However, Tamanoumi's sudden death in October 1971 shook Kitanofuji badly and affected his performance in the ring. Now the sole yokozuna in sumo, he went into a slump. After poor performances in the first two tournaments of 1972, he pulled out of the May 1972 tourney because of insomnia. He took a leave of absence from the next tournament in July, but went on a trip to Hawaii and was caught surfboarding.^[3] He was cautioned by the Japan Sumo Association and immediately apologised. He returned to win the next championship with a perfect record in September 1972. His final title came in March 1973, and his last challenge for a championship was in July of that year when he lost a playoff to veteran Kotozakura.

After several more absences Kitanofuji announced his retirement at the age of 32 three days into the July 1974 tournament, acknowledging that there was now a new era being led by Wajima and Kitanoumi, both several years younger than himself. Kotozakura retired in the same week, and Kitanoumi was promoted to yokozuna after the tournament ended. Kitanofuji's total of ten tournament championships was, at the time, behind only Futabayama's 12 and Taiho's 32".

[Kaminariyuki 500]

  On 02/08/2021 at 00:16, sumojoann said:

It's true that Kitanofuji did go kyujo once due to insomnia but there were extenuating circumstances.  Here is an excerpt from Wikipedia. -----

"However, Tamanoumi's sudden death in October 1971 shook Kitanofuji badly and affected his performance in the ring. Now the sole yokozuna in sumo, he went into a slump. After poor performances in the first two tournaments of 1972, he pulled out of the May 1972 tourney because of insomnia. He took a leave of absence from the next tournament in July, but went on a trip to Hawaii and was caught surfboarding.^[3] He was cautioned by the Japan Sumo Association and immediately apologised. He returned to win the next championship with a perfect record in September 1972. His final title came in March 1973, and his last challenge for a championship was in July of that year when he lost a playoff to veteran Kotozakura.

After several more absences Kitanofuji announced his retirement at the age of 32 three days into the July 1974 tournament, acknowledging that there was now a new era being led by Wajima and Kitanoumi, both several years younger than himself. Kotozakura retired in the same week, and Kitanoumi was promoted to yokozuna after the tournament ended. Kitanofuji's total of ten tournament championships was, at the time, behind only Futabayama's 12 and Taiho's 32".

Yes, his rival and friend, Tmanoumi's death was apparently hard on him. He did manage to also win the Kyushu basho shortly after Tamanoumi's passing. I wouldn't hold surfing against the guy. And, winning two basho doesn't mean there was no grief. So, not to make too much levity out of his situation, but I did find insomnia an interesting, and obviously honest, reason for going kyujo. 

Edited August 2, 2021 by Kaminariyuki
fingers faster than brain...

[Saburo 18]

Anyone in Japan get a sample of Kitanofuji curry? He's the best.

 

[Kintamayama 45,527]

Kitanofuji returns to the NHK broadcast after a year and a half of absence for Kyushu. 

Edited November 7, 2024 by Kintamayama

[Akinomaki 40,784]

  On 06/11/2024 at 12:55, Kintamayama said:

Kitanofuji returns to the NHK broadcast after a year and a half of absence for Kyushu. 

In addition to Kitanofuji and Mainoumi, now ex-Kotokaze/Oguruma joins the NHK commentator team, a contract that can be prolonged for 1 year every year. He's there on days 1 (with Mainoumi), 6 (with Kokonoe and Oyama/Chiyootori), 10 and 15. http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/local/chubu/news/20241108-OYTNT50016/

 

So far till day 6. Kitanofuji is not on schedule https://www.nhk.jp/p/ts/Z8WRRJ9K96/schedule/ - Hochi reports he's still resting http://hochi.news/articles/20241107-OHT1T51212.html?page=1

- I guess that means he will only have a video appearance again

Edited November 7, 2024 by Akinomaki

[Kintamayama 45,527]

Kyujo from live appearance after all. "Although he is absent, we will be asking Kitanofuji, Kotokaze, and Mainoumi to provide commentary," explained the NHK person, saying that they would like to liven up the tournament with a commentary system that includes these three dedicated commentators and the current Oyakatas as usual. So he's out, yet he's in.

 

https://www.nikkansports.com/battle/sumo/news/202411080001324.html

Edited November 8, 2024 by Kintamayama