SUMO - The Yokozuna Controversy

First, I need to apologize to my readers who have waited for me to post some comments about and video of morning practice at the sumo heya -  "stables". I was first attacked by general laziness, then the whole Asashoryu-Bad Boy-Impeach-, errr, -Punish-Him thing started a few weeks ago.

I could comment on this until doomsday, but whatever I say will not change anyone's mind or perception of one of the greatest yokozuna to walk this planet. And I say that not because of my relationship with the families, but because it is a simple fact. I had defended him, on occasion, because of the the former, but all of the lies spewing from the mostly Japanese media, the proliferation of same  in worldwide press repeating and embellishing these reports, and the undiluted vitriol exhibited on the sumo mailing list -  not to mention the latter pointed directly at yours truly over the years by some purported experts and self-proclaimed international Degas wannabes - culminated in my abrupt withdrawal from the said mailing list.

One of his penances  was the equivalent of "house arrest". House arrest? I think not! Try prison, try the Japan Sumo Association overstepping its bounds by imposing this sentence without a jury of peers. Oh, I forgot - the jury system is just now being effected by the Japanese government - albeit veeerrrryyyy sloooowly. Another facet of the processes run by little old men who dye their hair black at the first sign of graying and continue to do so  until they look like 90-year-old and still aging  yakuza with lined faces and misogynistic, xenophobic tendencies. Not being able to partake of a MEAL outside the home for FOUR freaking months. for God's sake? What a bunch of dictatorial idiots. Now, after the damage has been done and turmoil caused in the yokozuna's life, both private and public, the JSA needs to save face and, so, are "letting" him go back to Mongolia to get over an alleged nervous breakdown? What were they thinking in the first place? Nervous breakdown, my a**. He is more mentally strong than most people. The paparazzi frenziers and the JSA (with the exception of the Rijicho)  are the more mentally unstable goons.

And what about privacy issues? Since when do doctors speak publicly about a patient's condition without  consent? And they did NOT get consent! Malpractice and malfeasance at their nadirs. Who is starting these rumors of domestic violence and his throwing things around the house?  Do any of those people KNOW him? I do, and I know  these vicious attacks are unwarranted and untrue.

Do I sense some jealousy regarding the yokozuna's being a free spirit. as it were?  It is well-known that Japanese are loathe to express any emotion at all --except violence. Look at the manga comic books the men read everyday. All violence and sex - not necessarily in that order. Even a mailing list member attested that  her Japanese non-sumo wrestler husband struck her. (Which brings me to a thought - who knew she was married to another Japanese man other than her former sumo wrestling husband?) Wife-beating is routine in Japan, but covered up. In that case, what reason would they have in trying to out the yokozuna for behavior that is contrary to all of his familial values and the way he was brought up? His parents and he are devout Buddhists - and I mean devout. Violence is against the fundamental Buddhist precepts.  I believe that Asashoryu may have done more praying than exhibiting erratic behavior! There can be great comfort and peace in silence.

Have any of these reporters, doctors, and civilian detractors ever  witnessed any of this? Do they not know how close Mongolian families are and how violence is SO not a part of their culture? Mongolians are very demonstrative with their affection, are quick to hug one another and plant kisses on family and friends alike. I know. Been there, done that, too. Some one on the mailing list wrote: "Having said that Asashoryu is fantastic at sumo, but I don't think I'd want to hang out with him." If you've never done it, don't be so presumptuous to think he is like his sumo persona in person, because he is NOT. As I said, been there, still doing that. "He sent his family back to Mongolia". Read my words, ignorant press. Get your facts straight. They've been there since May and always go during the humid and scorching Tokyo summers. He wants his kids in clean air. Should they be with him now? Of course, but how about the paparazzi scaring the young children to death? Do you think he would EVER want them to come back to Tokyo?  Not a chance.

Confining him to home, keeping him away from friends and family - and getting indignant when Asashoryu does have a friend or two visit, then the press doing a Nuremberg inquisition on everyone he knows, is criminal.   Salary cut? No big deal.  He has used his earnings wisely and couldn't care less.

Now we have two editorials-which-are- purported -reportage articles on the Japan Times, which I had always regarded as a publication of great integrity. With these two writings, the  Times has slipped to a gossip rag, in my opinion.

It's really late now, and I've been writing this off and on since morning, so I will close with this for now: Someone with an obvious nom-de-plume of Schreiber (German for "writer" - thank you Bettina for that) has "reported" that the yokozuna has a propensity for violence, which has sent his wife fleeing to Mongolia...........and that she is now living alone in New York. What a crock! I responded with a letter to the editor, which I will repeat here since I'm sure the paper will not have the guts to publish it in whole or in part. And I DO promise to get those videos up next weekend!

To the Japan Times Editors:

Your newspaper used to be regarded as a fair and balanced reporting medium throughout the world. Now, with this story and its gossip-like tone, along with Mark Buckton's recent editorial that was misrepresented as reportage and had no business being on the sports pages (by the way - are the two Marks one and the same? One of them uses an alias in another publication), your publication has sunk to the depths of Shukan Gendai. These are not journalists. Regurgitating "allegations" about Asashoryu's personal life, which I can assure you are totally false, makes you no better than the gossip rags. Indeed, if the dai-yokozuna's wife were in New York, she would not be "living alone"...she would be with me as she was when she came to visit her cousin in the US for a scant five days this year, before returning to Mongolia. Furthermore,  Mongolian men are not like Japanese men, who purportedly routinely beat up on their wives. If any of you over at the Times know any Mongolians, you will know how close they are, how loving and caring of family and friends and how FREE they are to express their loving emotions - unlike the Japanese, who would not DARE express anything - except displeasure and gossip on this topic! Get over your resentment of having a 100% foreigner as a dai-yokozuna. INVESTIGATE TOKITAIZAN'S DEATH, which would be a worthwhile pursuit!!! That is all I will say about this. Personal life is personal life and I just wrote to say how ridiculous those allegations are.

And because of my last sentence, I will not reveal any conversations, email or other communication I have exchanged with the yokozuna and/or his wife. Those who are looking for some of that know that friends don't talk until the subject parties do themselves, so get over it and realize that the organized media is probably the least truthful medium there is.

'Night all.

The Yokozuna and Me and the Emperor's Cup