BARBARA ANN's SUMO BLOG - Life, work and love in sumo and otherwise

Oh, this was so cool!

nobody@vox.com(Barbara Ann) — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 17:47:38 -0700

May 2008 Asa and me with his victory portrait

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ANOTHER YEAR, ANOTHER USA SUMO TOUR - My personal side of the Los Angeles Grand Sumo Koen

nobody@vox.com(Barbara Ann) — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 17:46:25 -0700

In June 2008, the Japan Sumo Association held its third U.S. koen in as many years. This one took place in Los Angeles to the absolute delight of sumo’s many American fans – both of the professional and the amateur varieties. As with the Hawaiian and Las Vegas

T-Shirt

tours, there was much enthusiasm among fans across the United States – it had been 27 years since the previous professional sumo tour in L.A. - but, alas, as with both previous tours, little marketing was done to make the event as truly successful as it could have been!

The promoter was the same as for the Hawaiian tour, Mr. Shigemitsu Inohana. As I mentioned in my report on the Hawaiian koen, Mr. Inohana was* an avid sumophile, who, since moving to Hawaii several years ago, missed seeing the live edition of the sport, thus, his well-intentioned efforts to have the sumo in the United States. An initial problem confronting the Los Angeles tour was the size of the stadium. The Blaisdell Arena in Hawaiian has a capacity of about 8,800, whereas the Los Angeles Sports Arena accommodates 16,000. However, of the 16,000 seats, approximately 2,500 were not for sale. Well, that didn’t matter because the sales for the first day were around 9,600 – 71%, and attendance on the second day rose to close to 11,000 – 81%, so Mr. Inohana publicly considered the tour a success with an average 75% attendance for the two days together. I would tend to agree. I’ve seen the sold out banners come down above the dohyo at the Kokugikan in Tokyo when a majority of the second floor seats were obviously unoccupied!

*Unfortunately, this past June 23rd, Mr. Inohana was found dead in Honolulu. According to the autopsy report, he committed suicide by self-inflicted stab wounds to the neck. Someone has said that suicide seemed highly unlikely, which seems reasonable to me as well, but that he also made everyone miserable. Well, not this writer. He was very charming and personable, and had nothing to do with booth or concession. assignments; he had a cadre of assistants making those decisions for him. In fact, he was probably the most excited and delighted fan at both venues. At this writing, there is some suspicious that this may have been homicide. In any event, R.I.P. Shigemitsu Inohana; thank you for bringing live sumo to us here in America. I only hope that if you did commit suicide, it was not from an irreparable emptying of your wallet, but because you had fulfilled your dream of having sumo in Hawaii and Los Angeles.

Maru

As usual, Musashimaru and Azumazeki Oyakata (former Sekiwake Takamiyama, real name Jesse Kuhaulua) did the rounds of the talk shows - although not nearly enough as would have been necessary to properly publicize the event. And as in Hawaii, Jesse was

Akinoshima and Jesse

trotted out on the dohyo for an opening day tribute to him that seemed to make him a bit uncomfortable. The Kyokai Oyakata who were responsible for the overall administration of the koen were Sendagawa Oyakata, the former Akinoshima and Musoyama Oyakata, the former – who else? Musoyama.

And then there was the LA Times’ very brief article in the Entertainment pages of the weekend edition that was rife with misstatements. The reporting in the Sunday Times was way more entertaining, although a tad too late to boost attendance. You can read it here.

In any event, the crowd was enthusiastic, rooting for their favorites, and very audibly cheering on all of the rikishi.

So, here, once again are my own impressions, experiences and thoughts, rather than a blow-by-blow description of the bouts themselves, which can be found on other websites.

The rikishi arrived on Wednesday, June 4, via two different flights on Japan Airlines and Korean Air. I thought the latter was an odd choice – why not ANA? – until I realized that the host hotel is a partner with Korean Air, which is a sponsor of the tournament. The Yokozuna were each on one flight – Hakuho on the JAL with, among others, Kaio and Kotooshu, while Asashoryu traveled on the earlier KAL flight, with Chiyotaikai, Kotomitsuki and Kyokutenho, plus several others. (I had arrived from New York on a relatively early flight, hoping to greet the boys from the JAL flight, but JAL was a full hour early than scheduled, and, by the time I would get to the appropriate terminal, they’d already be at the hotel.)

My first “sighting” was of Kyokutenho, sitting in the lobby, as I arrived for check-in at the Wilshire Grand Hotel. The sekitori was with his wife, baby, parents and parents-in-law. This was about 10AM, and, since check in time was 3PM, some rooms were not yet available, but I lucked out. ‘Tenho was obviously very jet-lagged, but was pleasant

Hikarikaze left, Kiyozan, right and friend, center

nonetheless, posing for photos with hotel guests, many of whom had no clue that sumo had come to Los Angeles. As in Hawaii, I found later that most Angelenos, including taxi drivers that I spoke to did not know about the tour.I also ran into three tsukebitos, or attendants - and then ran into them again and adain, every place i went.

A few other rikishi had also brought their families – and girlfriends! Hakuho came with wife and daughter; the little girl is really tall for just 13 months old, but cute as a button and looking more Japanese, at this point, than Mongolian. Of course, that could change and I’ll look forward to seeing little

Hikarikaze and Yoshikaze

Amiu as she grows. Kakizoe was there with his wife and child, Iwakiyama with his wife and Yoshikaze with his very beautiful girlfriend. (These men seem to find, for the most part, extremely gorgeous women!!!)

Although one would think that the boys would be in their rooms recovering from their often professed jet lag, I was amazed to see so many of them wandering around the lobby. By the way, Tochinoshin is gorgeous with the most beautifully clear complexion, but I didn’t get a picture - bummer! Most of them wanted to go shopping, although they were mindful of the so-called welcoming reception at 6PM that evening.

Kokkai and Roho, both unshaven and with hair in disarray, were particularly funny. Roho gave me a hard time, pointing

Roho (top) and Kokkai riding the hotel elevators

and wagging his finger at me, as he did Katrina in May, about our chanting for Wakanosato in Hawaii. There, he had to fight Wakanosato, so we, - Katrina, her sister and I - alternated doing our Wakanosato chant, then, in a different voice, yelled RoooHoooooo! Nevertheless, whoever won, Roho would kiddingly wag his finger at Katrina in mock rebuke. In May, I happened to be sitting next to the West hanamichi on a few occasions, and as Wakanosato would come out, I would do a more sedate version of the Wakanosato chant. And who came out after Wakanosato? Yup! Roho, just glaring at me (all in fun, though)! We laughed about it this time and assured Roho that we would holler as loud, if not louder for him, as we would for Wakanosato. It must have worked because he smiled and winked at us for the rest of the tournament.

Back to Kokkai and Roho, they rode up and down the escalator from one hotel entrance to the other, allegedly looking for a taxi. They asked me about reserving a taxi – I guess they were too shy (!) to wait outside the hotel entrance for a suitably large cab to pull up. I’m sure it wasn’t a language barrier as Kokkai was speaking English

Hakurozan

pretty well, to my surprise and delight. As it turned out, they were waiting for Roho’s brother. Hakurozan appeared about an hour later asking frantically if I had seen the other two men, who had apparently given up on waiting for the younger Russian and, after shaving and getting their mages done, ensconced themselves by the pool. (The pool turned out to be favorite relaxing place for the wrestlers, oyakata and other staff.) About another half hour later, Wakanoho emerged from the elevators, nicely coiffed, and the four disappeared into the Los Angeles traffic.

As for me, I spent the rest of the day in the lobby lounge with my dear friend Linda N. Now, for a luxury hotel, the Wilshire Grand is a little weird, as such hotels go, not having a lounge area in the main lobby in which to have tea or cocktails or any other service. I had to go down to the lower level and order a couple of glasses of wine in a misconceived sports bar, and bring the wine upstairs to the main lobby!!! The concierge told me that he had often suggested that the vast area in the main lobby with tables and a large, unused bar be put to use as a limited service bar and meeting place, but that fell on deaf ears.

Digression – One thing I absolutely love and never cease to enjoy is the expression and body language that is common among the rikishi, oyakata, and, for all I know, many Japanese persons, as well, when they unexpectedly meet someone they know. I’m talking about, well, when one comes face to face with me, I getting a resounding “OH!” with a look showing surprise with raised eyebrows and pursed lips, and a slight pulling back of the head. I only wish I could have captured that on film. Maybe next time………..

Just a reminder right here, click on the thumbnail photos for larger views, but, also please be sure to look at my photos on Photobucket right here.

You gotta love Asasekiryu

Well, anyway, with wine in hand, Linda and I resumed our rikishi- and oyakata- watching, until the 6 PM reception. Unlike the Hawaiian welcoming reception, tickets were not available for purchase, and, frankly, most of the people I saw going to the reception area were 1) press, and 2) Japanese ‘civilians”. It seems that the reception lasted a mere 45 minutes or so, after about 10 or 15 minutes allotted to the press, and apparently did not offer enough or type of food to satisfy everyone, since, at around 7:20 PM, the last of the boys were leaving and asking where they could get a meal. (I must say, though, that some of the rikishi were impressed by the sizes of the buffet dishes, but, again, not otherwise blown away.) Some of the Mongolian boys were anxious to have Mongolian barbecue – others wanted American food in those huge portions that are so typical here and virtually unknown in Japan. In fact, later on, Linda took me to a wonderful sushi restaurant and bar, Sushi Gen, in Little Tokyo, and who should walk in but Wakanosato

At Sushi Gen

with a few of his supporters. On the QT, we were told that a few more rikishi would be at the restaurant on Saturday. Needless to say, that solved the issue of where to eat that weekend day!

On Thursday, some of the boys were scheduled to have a group photo opportunity outside the Kodak Theater (home of the Academy Awards). After that, they made a stop at Grauman’s Chinese Theater, to the amazement of many other visitors to those tourist sites. Later, several rikishi were also going to Universal Studios to visit the theme park. One of the most excited about the visit was Nishikido Oyakata, formerly the original Big Salt, Mitoizumi, who paced happily while waiting for the buses to pull up. However, most of the rikishi I spoke to were more interested in going shopping, and indeed made sojourns to a shopping outlet for Big Dog merchandise (Baruto, Kisenosato), Beverly Hills (Asasekiryu, Hakuba) and the local Macy’s shopping complex - a nice, leisurely day in anticipation of the accelerated schedules for the weekend. Some retreated to somewhere that a casino could be found and made plans to visit Las Vegas before returning to Japan**.

Dear Katrina Watts – my soulmate - known to some in Hawaii as Bettina ☺ - arrived the previous day but spent the night at friends’ since the hotel had no vacancy until Friday night. She came over to the Wilshire Grand and joined me in rikishi-watching. We were very pleased to see Jesse with two rather small Japanese men, to whom he jokingly referred as his “bodyguards”, and to sit and speak with him for a couple of hours. Later, the director of the USA Sumo

Dohyo Matsuri - blessing with sake

Association, Andrew Freund, came along and invited us to the press coverage of the dohyo matsuri and special exercise and kimarite exhibition at the Arena the following day.

Kotooshu was seen strolling around inside the hotel on a number of occasions, with his brother and a young Bulgarian woman in tow. His brother spoke fairly decent English, and when I saw him, he was at the concierge desk, demanding to know where the private car they had hired was. Kotooshu himself was generally unfriendly and aloof, rarely taking

A rare sight - Osh actually signing an autograph

photos or signing an autograph. I did manage to catch him reluctantly giving up his signature, but generally, he totally ignored requests and marched straight ahead, even when a couple with a young child asked for a photo. Oh, dear. Needless to say, he was not the favorite in the personality department, especially when everyone else, including the two yokozuna, were happy to grant photos and signatures. But now, I can tell you my story: Katrina, Meike and I have been following the young Bulgarian and supporting him since the very day he came in to sumo as a maezumo rikishi. It’s all well and good that individuals who have followed since he became juryo think that he is now the cat’s meow, but I remember him asking the three of us the names of whom he fought, what certain words meant, etc., etc., etc.,. As soon as he became sekitori, we approached him to extend our hands and congratulations, and he put his nose in the air and walked by. Not just once, but each and every time we saw and reached out to him. In Los Angeles, Katrina, being her always gracious self, approached him to congratulate him on winning the May yusho. Well, the self-centered s.o.b. just gave her a limp hand, a disdainful smile, and turned away. No way in heck was I going to say anything to him, then or ever again. Period. I don’t care how much I dislike anyone fighting against Kotooshu, I will always cheer for that opponent.

Dodger stadium

Back on track. About eight fans, including yours truly, went to the Dodgers game that night, as did some sumo personnel from the various heya. Thanks to Peggy and Sue (yes, that’s right) for obtaining the tickets. Of course, we knew that a group of rikishi, headed by Hakuho, were to go on Friday, but I think we and the sewanin (heya assistants) got the best of the deal on Thursday night. While the Friday evening attendees received key chains, all of the Thursday night patrons received bobblehead dolls of Dodgers pitcher Takashi Saito, who unfortunately did not do his job well that evening, causing the Dodgers

Saito Bobblehead

to lose to the Cubs. Having said that, I’m sure that the boys were given the bobbleheads, too. Who could refuse Hakuho and the rest of the gang? Heck, I would have given mine up for any one of them! (As it turned out, since Jesse had arranged for the tickets for the sewanin, the previous night, one of them gave up his bobblehead to the Oyakata.)

Kasugaumi doing matawari

Friday brought the dohyo matsuri, exercise and kimarite demonstrations for the press, and more shopping by the rikishi. Two, who opted out of shopping this day decided to enjoy a good part of the afternoon at the hotel pool. I simply cannot express how wonderful it was to see Kisenosato and Baruto acting like a couple of small kids in the hotel pool. Kisenosato had already scoped it out on Wednesday, and it was a very cold day in Los Angeles on Wednesday, too. But

Kisenosato loving the pool

today, Baruto, sporting his brand new Big Dog swimming trunks, and Kisenosato, having posed for a photographer on Wednesday, were now having unadulterated fun together, while a bemused Ama and entourage, and Oyakata watched from tables at the sidelines. Many fans perceive Kisenosato to be a pouting poor sport, but that's only his dohyo persona. In reality, he is just a kid, who just wants to enjoy his private time.

Baruto

Baruto stayed in the pool until it was time to eat in the communal dining room. He did many, many dives into the 9' end of the pool, but one poor little lady was concerned that the water may have been too shallow and that Bart woud hurt himself. He didn't care - he indicated that he was bouyant enough. Later that evening, after sending Baruto off on a beer run (and myself to the sports bar several times for wine), I sat down with him and had a very revealing conversation about his childhood, his family, his tastes in food (big pieces of beef - a man after my own heart!) and his general happiness at being where he is today, despite numerous adjustments that he had to make and the hardships he encountered in making them. And all in excellent English! A true gem of a person that has made the most of more misfortunes in his short life to date,than most of us would experience in a lifetime, he instilled in me a great sense of respect for him after all of the difficulties he has been able to surmount.

BFF (Best Friends Forever in Hollywood-speak)

Right here, and at the risk of sounding like a real drinker, which I can be at times, I need to tell you that after all of the excitement of the day, I usually went to the sports bar to get a glass of wine to bring to my room. I’ve seen several of the boys – Russian/Georgian and Mongolian contingents – sitting in the rear of the bar and, thank you, Asasekiryu

Tokitenku

and Tokitenku, was invited to sit with them. But, the strangest thing was ordering my wine at the bar and speaking briefly to one of the sewanin. The sewanin left and I was sitting there face to face with Takamisakari!!!! It gets even stranger. Anyone who attends a basho in Japan, or who was in Las Vegas or Hawaii is aware that he is usually nonresponsive to fans. Well, maybe it was because I didn’t fawn over him, just said “good evening” and began to leave, that he decided to speak to me. Omigod! He spoke AT (that’s the only word I could think of) me for a full 15 or 20 minutes – in Japanese. Now, I’m an expert at aizuchi, the Japanese art of listening in Japan, since my gentleman friend is Japanese and I get it all the time, so I “so desu ne’d”, “hai-d” “ehhhh”d, and “nnnnnh’d” just hoping he

Takamisakari (standing)

would not say something ending with “ka”, which would indicate a question. Happily, he didn’t, and I was finally able to extricate myself, but with my third glass of wine. Naturally, we became New Best Friends Forever after that. Oh, I had to pay for my own drinks – no treating from RoboCop. But I certainly impressed the patrons at the bar who thought I had to be fluent in Japanese!

But wait, I’m missing someone. Where was my beloved Yokozuna Asashoryu? I had seen his attendants come and go over the days, but no sign of him on Wednesday, Thursday or Friday. He did put in a brief appearance at the “welcome” reception on Wednesday, but had to leave quickly for an engagement with another group. Finally, on Saturday morning, I accosted Asadoryu, one of the yokozuna’s attendants and asked where the Big Man was. He pointed to the hotel gift

Yokozuna Asashoryu with very young fans

shop, and sure enough, there HE was, the gift shop totally packed with people vying for a photo or a signature. Asashoryu very graciously took pictures with and signed autographs for all who were patient enough to wait his and her turns. I think a lot of opinions about him changed during these few days- bad boy in his yokozuna hat, personally wonderful. But, then, I knew that for many years already.

When the Yokozuna’s fans started to thin out, I was asked to help another of his attendants change money. Asashoryu was to visit an orphanage the following morning and wanted to donate funds in US dollars cash. What a chore that was! The hotel had a policy of not exchanging more than 30,000 yen (approx. US$ 260 at the hotel’s exorbitant exchange rate) for one guest. Asa needed over 300,000 yen exchanged. Through various means, we finally

My BFF

got almost US$ 2,000 together, and were able to do the rest later on. I think I visited every bank within five blocks north, south, east and west of the hotel!

Yokozuna Asashoryu with local shopowner

In the meantime, the Yokozuna decided he wanted to have tempura for lunch, with his cousin, attendant and me tagging along. Well, guess what? Except for food courts in the various shopping centers, very few restaurants were open for lunch in our neck of Los Angeles. We did try the Japanese restaurant in the hotel – open at 5:30. The concierge tried finding Japanese restaurants in the area serving lunch – open at 5:30. Finally, two journalists from Ohzumo Magazine recommended we go to Little Tokyo. Surely there would be restaurants that were open there and that served tempura. We were lucky to see Kakizoe and family getting out of a van which Kakizoe offered for our use, and we made our way to Little Tokyo. Talk about rock stars!! Japanese, other Asians, and Westerners alike clamored after him until one of the journalists asked for a little private time. But as we walked through the promenade that is a major part of Little Tokyo, we were, even there, unable to find anything open for lunch except a curry place (with a long waiting line), and a ramen restaurant that only had counter seating. Meanwhile, we gathered a following within Little Tokyo itself. A shopkeeper, Nakao “Nikki” Ikeda, offered to take us to get tempura, but the New Otani Hotel restaurant, as well as most of the other restaurants in the Otani complex, was also closed for lunch. We did eventually find tempura, but by that time we needed to rush since the yokozuna had to be at the meeting area for the buses to the venue at 2:30 PM.

Of course, on our return, the fans again surrounded the Yokozuna, including in the hotel elevator. At one point, the door opened, and there were two women who didn't know whether to get in or get out; Asashoryu beckoned for them to get in, as we left the elevator, they seemed as if they wanted to ask for a photo. Asa beckoned to them, they took the picture and were both happy as larks. Note: I met he two women in Kino's the next day, and who did one of them turn out to be? The Marketing person for Sakura, Linda Lyon. Later, we took a photo with Wakanosato - you can see it below.

Much has been written on other websites about the boys congregating to board the bus taking them to the venue on Saturday, with the three Russians, Roho, Hakurozan and Wakanoho, showing up on the late side, very sheepish looking, and needing to take a taxi. The cab driver, however, refused to take all three and poor Wakanoho had to take one on his own. The following day, everyone was looking for Asashoryu, who had returned from golf early enough to be ready for the bus, but whose attendants were nowhere in sight with his room key (not to mention the assistance he would need to get into his kimono). Contrary to reports, since we were there, he did not disregard the meeting time. He is able to shower and change into his kimono within 5 minutes, and, after finding his key, did exactly that. I think the powers that be and the press were irritated that he stopped to sign autographs and take pictures with fans, even though he was a bit late for the bus. Notwithstanding these little glitches, by both days’ time to group, most of the boys were relaxed, posed for photos with the fans and signed autographs, except ozeki you-know-who.

The venue had many freebees, if one knew where to look. Tables had clear files for all, pronouncing “Come See Our Cool Japan”, bags of three instant soups, Sakura SumoGrip pens (LOVE the new SumoGrip II!) , bottle opener key

Sumogrip gift

rings, pamphlets introducing the sport of sumo, and samples of tea. T-shirt purchases from the venue came with a free stencil set, courtesy of Sakura, which, by the way, was THE major sponsor, and uchiwa (flat) fans. There were raffles for tea and other goodies (I was notified when I returned to NY that I had won a box of delicious Aojiru green barley grass tea!). Of course, the ringside seat spectators were each given a gift bag with chocolates and other comestibles. The souvenir programs went for $20.

As usual, the first evening began with oyakata, gyoji, yobidashi and the

Kyokutenho during kids sumo

rikishi lining up for welcoming remarks, this time by Oshima Oyakata - apparently Kitanoumi decided not to make the trip. Pre-tournament performances included a spectacular taiko drumming demonstration around the dohyo – just fantastic, but the decibel level at that proximity could split one’s eardrums - , children’s sumo and comedy sumo. I have much of this sampled in my Hawaii koen report. This was followed by the regulation dohyo-iri. During the bouts, as expected, a variety of kimarite was used by the winners, and there were a few mono-ii.

The wrestlers generally played to the crowd, with Ama, Takamisakari, the two Yokozuna, and Kotooshu (despite his ill-mannered behavior with the fans) receiving the most support. Mongolian fans were there in hordes (no pun intended)

Takanorappa

supporting their countrymen. My fellow sumo-lover, Jim, aka Takanorappa, had made two signs (see photo). Asashoryu acknowledged them with a wink to Jim and with a “thumbs up” when he won the match.

Linda and iwakiyama at Sushi Gen

Katrina and Goeido at Sushi Gen

Sushi chef Kaz san and Toyohibiki

On Saturday, Linda, Katrina and Linda’s friend returned to Sushi Gen, and true to word, Wakanosato was back along with Iwakiyama, Toyohibiki and others. Since the proprietor and sushi chefs are all sumoaficionados, the atmosphere was one of extreme excitement and joy. Later, in the hotel lobby, we had a very nice long chat with Iwakiyama, but I do not remember nor did I understand most of it.

As expected, Asashoryu won the first day. As NOT expected, Hakuho lost the second day to Kisenosato, who was then beaten by Asashoryu, the

Grand Champion Yokozuna Asashoryu

Yumitori Minanosato

winner of the Sakura Cup in the playoff. Everyone left the venue each day in good spirits, and a fine bow-twirling ceremony was performed by Minanosato, Asashoryu’s very able attendant who had been passed over as yumitori shiki in Hawaii.

I am very puzzled about one thing on this tour. I was very much looking forward to listening to Troy Collins, an amateur sumo man and sumo lover, along with Musashimaru, as the stadium commentators. Troy had gone to Japan last year and, after receiving some tips and training from the NHK commentators, was an invited guest on one of the NHK broadcasts for the Kyushu basho. Instead, they were replaced and we were subjected to a very clinical and dry description of the bouts, with no color or additional or explanatory information. A far cry from Ross Mihara and Maru in Hawaii (although I didn't really care for Konishiki's WWF type commentary in Las Vegas). I cannot understand who made the decision to replace Troy and Maru or why it was done. In my opinion, the Los Angeles audience was deprived of what could have been a vastly entertaining give and take between Troy and Maru, with lots of sumo explanatory information for the newbies to the sport as well as eneterating and humorous tidbits about the sport and the individual wrestlers. And that's what I have to say about that!

The Mongolians wrapped up the week with a party in the hotel Ballroom, but it was quite crowded, so I made my way back down to the sports bar. There, I spent the rest of the evening until the bar practically closed with Katrina and Asashoryu's exceptionally handsome brother, Serjbudee. Not a bad substitute and the perfect way to end a most enjoyable trip.

Budee, his son and me

Alas, all good things come to an end, so I had to leave Los Angeles early Monday morning, way before the boys did, and say bye-bye to another fantastic time. If dreams do come true, however, perhaps the rumors of future tours in Seattle, Washington, D.C., and Thailand will become reality. Naysayers say that there’s no reason to have sumo in the United States, that there’s no sufficient audience nor any future here. Sounds like sour grapes to me. We are, after all one country among only four in North America, unlike the multitude of countries that comprise Europe - and there are a lot of fans in Canada, as well - , but we do have our very popular amateur sumo here, as well as untold numbers of professional sumo watchers, particularly on the West and East Coasts. I say, bring sumo back again and we’ll see how the audience and appetite for sumo will have grown with these three last American tours. Besides, like it or not, naysayers, the BOYS love it here, too!

As for the immediate future - sigh, there’s always Mongolia later this year and London next year…………………

Thanks for putting up with me, to Richard, Janice, Chuck, Peggy, Sue, Jay, Jim, Barry and especially to Linda and Katrina! I know I forgot someone, so tell me, please who you are.

Thanks to all my “boys” for being themselves.

With Linda Lyon of Sakura, sister Jennifer and Wakanosato

Special thanks also to Linda Lyon, of Sakura of America Marketing, for giving up her own, not-yet-on-sale SumoGrip II gel pen. I can’t wait until its official launch.

SumoGrip II Gel Pen

**Note to gossipmongers: Asashoryu DID go to Las Vegas for his friend’s wedding; he was

Asa and me in Shinbun

never seen snuggling with a showgirl – (if any snuggling was done, it was likely with me ☺), so get over it! In fact, one of the Japanese sports newspapers showed a photo of Asashoryu kissing me on the cheek in front of his yusho photo in May. I had his daughter in tow, but the paper just HAD to caption “Papa, Papa, That’s bad! Don’t kiss her!” Give him – and me - a break!

More photos can be found on Kotoshogiku’s blog, http://ameblo.jp/kotosyo-blog/page-3.html , Futeno’s blog, http://futenou.ameblo.jp/ with an adorable photo of him and the baby he was holding during the rikishi dohyo-iri. I asked if she were his child, but he laughed and said it was the daughter (I think) of a distant relative. Nishikido Oyakata was anxious to pepper his blog with photos, http://blog.livedoor.jp/nishikido/archives/2008-06.html#20080611 .

Don't forget to check out my other photos right here,too. See ya later this year!

A Proud Moment for Me With My Mongolian Son

And remember the fine print: © Barbara Ann Klein 2008 Please do not reproduce text or images from this blog, without permission in writing from me, which I usually give. Links to this blog are permitted as a matter of course. All rights reserved. Special thanks to Linda Ninomiya and Katrina Watts for the use of some of their own photos from the tournament. Their images are also copyrighted.

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SUMO TOUR TO MONGOLIA

nobody@vox.com(Barbara Ann) — Sun, 10 Feb 2008 06:07:36 -0800

Well, this is quite a year for sumo overseas. In addition to the LA tour below, it looks like there will also be a tour to Mongolia on August 27 and 28.

This time, instead of just the top ranks of rikishi boarding the plane across the sea, all of the Mongolian boys, of whichever rank, will be able to attend. That's nice. A few of the Mongolian rikishi have languished in the non-salaried ranks or lower than the makunouchi (top ranking level) division, so I know they will all be happy to visit their homeland again! Usually, non-Japanese rikishi are not permitted to return to their homelands until they reach juryo, or, in some cases, high makushita. There have, however, been some stablemasters who have rewarded a good performance or who have tried to boost morale with a trip "home", such as Nishikido Oyakata for Kazafuzan and Tatsunami Oyakata for Daionami, (not necessarily for each of those reasons, respectively). In fact, I just heard from one of the sandanme boys who is just ecstatic, and justifiably so, about returning home after over three years..

This is also exciting, of course, for the two yokozuna, who I am sure are anxious to perform together in their home country for their sumo fans there who may not be able to go to Japan! I know that Asashoryu has been lobbying for this tour for quite some time now.

Stay tuned.........

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LOS ANGELES SUMO KOEN INFORMATION

nobody@vox.com(Barbara Ann) — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 08:14:39 -0800

PRELIMINARY INFORMATION

For anyone interested in attending the Los Angeles Grand Sumo tour in Los Angeles, to be held in the LA Memorial Arena on June 6 and 7, here is the place to go for information on tickets: www.sumotour.com, Beware - the site is quite slow in loading and information is not quite complete as of this time - but, it is a site to return to for the sure-to-come updates.

The tickets for the tournament will be offered to the general public beginning mid-March.

If you feel that you have any drawing skills, the sponsor, Sakura of America, is having a sumo manga competition with two tickets to the tourney awarded to the winner. There is also a sumo quiz. The press release is here, or you can go to the sponsor's website at http://www.sakuraofamerica.com/sumo

There is also a Sumo Guide, which is basically still a work in process and has a few inaccuracies, which I hope will be ironed out before the tournament, so no flaming yet, please :-)

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SUMO - FORMER YOKOZUNA AKEBONO

nobody@vox.com(Barbara Ann) — Sun, 04 Nov 2007 06:56:41 -0800

OH, NO, Akebono!

Amidst the rumble and roar of purported undignified conduct on behalf of the great yokozuna Asashoryu, Russians Roho and Wakanoho, and most recently, Estonian Baruto, comes this:

Former yokozuna Akebono sucks on a pacifier for one his WWE-type performances bout with a new shikona - if you can call a joke-as-a-sport fighting name a "shikona" : Monster Bono. Give me break!

Akebono and Pacifier

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SUMO - MORNING PRACTICE WITH ICHINOYA (AND A FEW OTHERS)

nobody@vox.com(Barbara Ann) — Sun, 16 Sep 2007 12:52:42 -0700

The "world's oldest active rikishi" is how one of my fellow sumo enthusiasts refers to Ichinoya, the wrestler from

Ichinoya-san

Takasago-beya who will celebrate his 47th birthday this December and his 24th year in sumo with the Kyushu basho this November. Now Jonidan E83, he achieved his highest rank at Sandanme 6.

I know I have been promising photos and video from morning practice, or asageiko, for some time, but yesterday, a wonderful article about Ichinoya on the Asahi.com website, http://www.asahi.com/english/Herald-asahi/TKY200709150071.html, inspired me to finally, at least put up one video - a rare, albeit somewhat shaky-hand video of Ichinoya going through one of his morning routines this past May. I say "rare", because just over a year ago, Takasago generally closed its doors to spectators- with some exceptions, of course - and because Ichinoya is usually the first man to arrive on the dohyo - at a pretty early time, and way before the usual visitor would appear at the heya door.

Just a little explanatory text: The ambient light in most heya is somewhat short of being even remotely satisfactory for a decent amateur attempt at video or photography. Viewers are mostly facing a dohyo backed by a large window with the light streaming in.Tripods are not permitted, unless one

Asakubo 2007

has a press pass, so the action is hard (for me) to catch with my unsteady camera grip.

The first clip has Ichinoya starting his practice sessions in the foreground. His training partner is Asakubo, a 24-year-old Jonidan W54 man. After his combat session, Ichinoya did do quite a bit of "shiko", i.e., leg-raising and stomping, but the light in that corner was just way too poor to capture this exercise, although you can, at times, hear his grunts in the background.. After Ichinoya finishes his own training, and his stablemates begin practice, Ichinoya leaves the dohyo and the "public" practice area to either go to the Kokugikan for his bout, if he is on the schedule that particular day, or attend to his duties of overseeing the meal preparations and performing other general managerial duties for the heya.

Since I was already working with the videos for Takasago, I extracted another clip that

Asahimaru at keiko

Asasekiryu getting mage done

will show some of the other wrestlers, including Asadoryu (formerly Asahanada)

Minanosato and Asanotosa

Hananostao, Minanosato (now yumitori, or, bow-twirler), Asanotosa and Asahimaru (the really big guy who is as gentle as can be). In the white mawashi, in the split postion on the floor is Mongolian

Asasekiryu, west Sekiwake, who is another favorite of mine (aren't they all?) - always with the ready smile and always inquisitive.

If I have more time later this week, I will finish documenting the Takasago practice, but in the meantime, please enjoy these two videos.

Ichinoya_1

© Barbara Ann Klein 2007 Please do not reproduce text or images from this blog, without permission in writing from me, which I usually give. Links to this blog are permitted as a matter of course. All rights reserved.

Asadoryu and Asakubo

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SUMO - The Yokozuna Controversy

nobody@vox.com(Barbara Ann) — Sun, 19 Aug 2007 20:41:15 -0700

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

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Sumo - The Hawaii Koen (Tour)

nobody@vox.com(Barbara Ann) — Tue, 26 Jun 2007 15:18:49 -0700

The Hawaii Koen was held on June 9 and 10 at the Blaisdell Arena in Honolulu, Hawaii.

When it was first announced, there seemed to be much enthusiasm for the tour, which had not been to since 1993. Musashimaru and Azumazeki Oyakata, formerly Sekiwake Takamiyama/Jesse Kuhaulua,

Azumazeki Oyakata, Katrina (aka Bettina) and Me.

journeyed to a few times to generate publicity and excitement for the event. After all, the stadium could accommodate a crowd of 8,800 with the in-the-round set-up that a dohyo offers, and everyone was optimistic. The actual initial sponsor was a man named Shigemitsu Inohana, who had journeyed to about eight years ago and who missed his sumo, which he had attended avidly as a resident of his native . His vision was to see an arena full of both first-timers and dedicated fans occupying seats ranging from $35 to $350. Alas, despite “sold out” reports of many of the tiers of seats, this was not to be as the arena proved to be less than half-full on both days of the exhibition, despite several public autograph signings by Musashimaru and Azumazeki Oyakata, some local TV talk show appearances by both, and daily articles in the local press beginning a week before “opening night”.

The problem was lack of promotion. Hawaii is my third home (after New York and Tokyo) and when the koen dates were set late last year, and reported in the papers and TV in Honolulu – never heard anything on the radio – almost everyone I knew, despite expressing keen interest in attending, despaired that the prices might be too high and difficult to get, what with all the Japanese tourists and the potential for scalping. That was in January.

Returning to at the beginning of June for some sun and fun as bookends to the tour, I again had the opportunity to speak to a number of people about the sumo. The responses ranged from “sumo? when? where?” to “I didn’t see anything about it” to “too expensive” to “are there any Hawaiians in the tournament?”.. Now, mind you, the first two responses included every taxi driver I spoke to, for heaven’s sake! The website for the koen showed various press releases and appearances, and even a poster on one of the hundreds of trolleys that roam . But I never saw one poster, except for the one that was sent to me by a very generous eBayer who purchased something from me and, discovering my interest in sumo, just happened to have a couple. During the week I was in before the tournament, I saw maybe one TV commercial – and again, nothing on my favorite Hawaiian music station. But that’s all past now and I hope the promoters for will take their cues from the experience and start their publicity blitz NOW.

Nevertheless, a very good time was had by all who attended, as was evident by the many ooohs and aaahs from the crowd.

Now, I’m going to share some of my experiences, impressions and thoughts with you. No results - you can find them

Hula

all over the net - and not a whole lot of good photos (some good video, though). I was too busy watching everything!

Some trophies

The sumotori arrived on June 7 and ensconced themselves in the Prince Hotel and Golf Club. Some of the Mongolians, i.e., Asashoryu, Asasekiryu, Hakuho and Ama, notably, brought their mothers and/or fathers (and in some cases, siblings) with them. It was nice to see Ama’s beautiful Mom again (who speaks quite good English) after the untimely death of her husband last December. The boys pretty much spent the first day at leisure enabling them to cope with relieving jet lag. The second day saw them off to a lunch buffet at a Chinese restaurant – in full kimono regalia. Arriving back at the hotel, most of them quickly changed into shorts and tee-shirts, ready to take a shopping shuttle to a nearby shopping mall – or, to find some more substantial food before the welcoming dinner that night. Asasekiryu was very keen on having some “meat” and I directed him to one or two steakhouses in the area. Some rikishi just chose to lounge around in the hotel lobby with family and/or friends. Oyakata and other rikishi were off to the links for a couple of rounds of golf. Asashoryu and Matsugane Oyakata, among others, had their own golf clubs with them, Asa, having taken up the sport before the koen in 2005. The tsukebito, scurrying around the lobby, just seemed happy to be there!

On Friday night, a welcoming party was given at the Hilton Hawaiian Village resort complex, where the three trophies were on display – the Mayor’s Cup for Friday’s winner, the Governor’s Cup – a beautiful trophy made of the native koa wood – for Saturday’s winner, and the giant 4-foot Sakura Cup for the champion of the overall tournament, presented by Sakura USA, a maker of the “SumoGrip” pens and pencils as well as electronic and other household goods.

I should note here that another sponsor was the ever-entertaining Nagatanien,

Nagatanien

which provides kensho for Takamisakari during the regular basho in all five of its rice-topping flavors, and which always gets quite a few chuckles from the sudience as all five flavors are announced. Kensho were also provided during this Koen, but not in the numbers as are in honbasho.

Back to the welcoming reception: The party was “sold out” for a full house of 350 people including the complimentary seats. At each table were at least one sekitori and an oyakata, gyoji or other sumo official. Several tsukebito sat at a couple of tables reserved for the media.An “omiyage” bag, containing a tournament program, some sumo stickers and pens, and a souvenir pin

Fumiyoshi Kobayashi

was given to everyone attending. Needless to say, the rikishi were busy signing their photos in the programs and taking pictures with fans for a good part of the sit-down reception. Entertainment was provided by a Tsugaru Shamisen performance featuring Fumiyoshi Kobayashi and three players from 's Niigata Takahashi Chikuzan Ensemble, and by several hula dances by a local hula learning center.

Lovely hula hands

Our table was directly behind the two Yokozunas’ tables and we were able to get some decent photos of them

Teaching Hakuho the Hawaiian Shaka

and the performances. Hakuho was resplendent in a white kimono, wearing this gorgeous open-ended lei made of red and white carnations and other exotic flowers. Asashoryu was the last to arrive, but he preferred to wear an

Yokozuna Asashoryu and Me

elegant black kimono that I had never seen before. The meal was good with soup, salad, bread rolls, and dessert, and a steak filet and fish mousse-type dish for the main course. Tokitenku was seated at our table, and seeing his look of dismay at the tiny portion of meat, I offered him my piece, which he accepted and dispatched very swiftlyJ. Minezaki Oyakata, the coordinator for the NSK, was also at our table – a very nice man, I

Toyonoshima and Tokitenku

might add.

The first day of the tournament arrived and each of the ticket holders, irrespective of price paid for the seat, was pleasantly surprised with omiyage

Yobidashi Kunio

bags, which held a bottle of sauce for okonomiyaki (a kind of Japanese omelet-pancake), a packet of miso soup, some rice topping, a fan, packages of tissues and pens from JapanTV, bottled water and other goodies. Free programs were available to all, but a more detailed program with rikishi vital statistics and general sumo information was available for $20 (!). Outside the arena itself were taiko-drumming performances by yobidashi Hiroyuki (Minezaki-beya) and Kunio (Takasago-beya). Inside, hula entertainment was provided before the matches, with the shamisen company performing during “half-time” – a feature not experienced during hon-basho.

The first three rows of the floor seats – the most expensive – also held omiyage bags, basically with the same items as given to everyone, plus a mug with the Koen logo. There were several left over, most of which were promptly claimed by tour and koen operators. On the second day, the remaining three or four rows of the floor seats also had a souvenir pin placed on each seat – the ones remaining were claimed by whomever got there first. A collectible item, indeed.

Before the actual bouts, there were the usual introductions of government officials, sponsors, etc. But Jesse,

Entrance Plus Hakuho Dohyoiri

Azumazeki Oyakata, formerly Takamiyama, received the largest and loudest ovation as everyone in the stadium stood to greet him. He certainly is a legend in his own time in and obviously loved by all. Then there were demonstrations of various sumo exercises done during regular practice, with the popular matawari (splits) drawing gasps from the spectators; comic sumo; and, of course, “keiki”, or children’s sumo, with Chiyotaikai,

Keiki Sumo with Little Girl

Wakanosato, and Kasugao, among others sparring with the kids, including a six-year-old girl, who soundly beat her “opponent”. The comic sumo fell a little flat on the first day, since, although there were a lot of funny moves, some of the prohibited moves were not announced in English as such, but rather in Japanese. This was taken care of the second day, when the comic performance was then punctuated with shouts from the sumotori of “not-allowed”, “no good”, “bad”, not to mention certain audience members yelling “no hair-pulling”, for instance. There are two videos of this, one on this page and the continuation in the Hawaiian Koen folder.

Comic Sumo Part 1

We had good seats right up front on the hanamichi – East, the first day, and West, the second, but the seats could have been arranged a little better. Not only that, the carpet runner from the hanamichi to the dohyo kept going slightly awry, and there was even a piece sticking out from the seats. Since we feared that the rikishi might trip on the excess carpeting, I called a gentleman with a “Staff” badge over to move it. Imagine my embarrassment when the Nagatanien prize was given that day and Katrina pointed out that the man I asked to move the carpet earlier was none other than the CEO of Nagatanien!

As for the sumo itself? It began with the participants – oyakata, gyoji, yobidashi, and of course, the rikishi themselves,

Greeting the audience

parading in together to welcome and thank the audience. Dohyo-iri from East and West rikishi and the East and West yokozuna. Hakuho seemed a bit shaky during his first (after Meiji Shrine) public dohyo-iri, (see "Entrance" video for a "different" perpsective) but appeared more confident on the second day, although still a little unsure-footed. During the second day East side sekitori dohyo-iri, there was some good natured joking between Asasekiryu and Kyokutenho. This is also a good capture of the Yojiya kesho mawashi which were used during Asashoryu's dohyoiri and wion in this video by Asashekoryu and Takamisakari.

Dohyoiri and Yojiya mawashi

Being an exhibition, rather than a true tournament, many results were to be expected, as an array of kimarite were executed. Rarely seen at the hon-basho these days, there were quite a few stare-downs, both at the tachi-ai and the returns to corners. A mono-ii, of course, as two men hit the dohyo at the same time. Ama received cheers as he executed a move previously favored by Kotonishiki and Kyokushuzan – he literally jumped over

Mimicking Takamosakari

his opponent, Kasugao, to win the match.

Takamisakari did his usual antics, but even more punctuated now as he added an additional horse-like foot stomp to his self-face-slapping and chest-pounding. But the crowd really went wild when he was up against Yokozuna Asashoryu, who, glancing at Takamisakari from his East corner of the dohyo, replicated each of Takamisakari moves, down to the facial expressions and the salt-throwing. Quite a performance! In fact, Asashoryu seemed to be having the most fun of all the participants as he mugged and waved to audience members, and even threw his salt out to the spectators a number of times. A sign of reduced stress and responsibility at no longer being the sole yokozuna? I think and hope so.

Also unlike honbasho, the rikishi were basically relaxed walking to and away from the dohyo for their bouts – shaking hands, posing for photos and signing autographs in the hanamichi. Even Roho and Kotooshu were in good spirits and jovial with the autograph hounds after losing their respective bouts, as was Takamisakari, who usually ignores his fans in ! My friends and I did our chants for Wakanosato and Chiyotaikai, both of whom were really pleased, and at this time, able to show it. Chiyotaikai “tipped” his mage to us as he left the dohyo after a win. Wakanosato encouraged us to keep doing our “song” for him, and Roho very good-naturedly chastised Katrina for rooting for Wakanosato, who was his opponent at that bout.

Ross Mihara was his usual superb self doing the stadium announcing. Musashimaru was there beside him on the

Ama and Kokkai do a little "stink eye"

second day, but spoke not a word. Ross had a script, I guess, from which he was probably not permitted to deviate very much – I know it would have been fun if he were able to express some of his own thoughts about the bouts, but there were still some light comments – calling Kasugao “Seoul Man” from Seoul, South Korea, and explaining to the crowd that Kokkai was from Georgia – but not the American southern state.

Notable was the fact that on the second day, the quarter-finals had only two Japanese rikishi in the field of eight, and the semi-finals and – of course- finals, were all non-Japanese rikishi. As would be expected, the Yokozuna

Asashoryu receiving Mayor's Cup

won both days, with Asashoryu the first, and Hakuho, the next. The play-off between the two saw Hakuho winning after a substantially credible fight. The two men left the dohyo in good spirits as the new yumitori, Mizakura, from Hakuho’s heya, performed the yumitori-shiki both days. Watching this demonstration, I could not help but

Hakuho and the Championship Sakura Cup

remember my comment in my blog about the new yumitori from Asashoryu’s side, Minanosato, who is lots faster than Oga was and would have pleased one of the former (and best) tate-gyojis. Well, Shonosuke would REALLY be cramped from squatting during Mizakura’s bow-twirling, which is incredibly slow!

After it was over, we made our way back to the Prince Hotel, to get the boys’ impressions. Sadly, many sekitori said that they did not have a very enjoyable time, and they were unhappy to have to leave the next day. One of the tokoyama (hairdressers) said that some had to be in the lobby at 5AM the next morning. Asashoryu, magnanimous as always, paid for his tsukenbito to stay an additional five days with him.

Please also check out my photo album and other videos from this event in the collection folder on the right side of this screen.

Next stop? Honbasho in Tokyo in September, January and May, then on to Los Angeles next June, followed by London in 2009.

By the way, the Honolulu Advertiser has some really good photos and videos, which you can link to at http://news.hawaii.com/article/2007/Jun/10/sp/sumo.html, http://news.hawaii.com/article/2007/Jun/11/sp/sumo.html and http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070610/VIDEO02/70609006

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SUMO - The Passing of the Baton...errrr...BOW

nobody@vox.com(Barbara Ann) — Sun, 03 Jun 2007 20:54:01 -0700

Sumo has a new yumitori with the retirement of Oga. His name is Minanosato. At the moment, he is in sandanme - and judging from his sumo performance in May (3-4), he will remain within that rank, but at a lower level than at the May basho.

Initially, when I heard of Oga's retirement, I conjectured that Hananosato would be the likely successor due to

Hananosato

similarities in physical characteristics. To these old eyes, Oga is quite handsome and on the "slim" side......as rikishis go; ditto for Hananosato. On the other hand, Minanosato is a bit meatier, if you will, and has more of a cute baby-face. (You've GOT to see his wonderful smile!) Well, I don't know if there were auditions, or how Minanosato was chosen, but he is certainly doing a fine job.

As I mentioned in my post about the 20th Yusho party, Minanosato told me he was extremely nervous about performing the yumitori-shiki, or bow twirling ceremony, for the first time in public on the first day of the May tournament. He was particularly fearful of any upset (perceived or real) in the last bout where the spectators tend to throw zabuton onto the dohyo. While the twirling requires a somewhat loose grip on the yumi, or bow, a carelessly thrown

Yumitori Minanosato

zabuton could knock the bow from his hand and he would be required to pick it up with his feet/toes and continue on. Thankfully, this never happened - although he DID get hit in the head with a cushion after one of Asashoryu's losses - and in Nagoya in July, the yumitori duties will be shared with the designated twirler from the newly ascendant yokozuna Hakuho's heya.

Just one anectidote: although everyone commented on what a fine figure Oga cut as bow-twirler - me, included - Kimura Shonosuke, the tate-gyoji when Oga was made yumitori always said that while Oga looked really good doing

Oga

the ceremony, he was excruciatingly slow and the tate-gyoji would just about get sore squatting for the duration of Oga's performance. If Shonosuke-sensei hadn't retired back in 2005, he would likely be really happy with Minanosato's swift execution of the "twirl".

As for Hananosato, he will have his chance in Hawaii to do the yumitori-shiki and I can't wait to see him at it!

For anyone who hasn't seen Minanosato do his thing, here's one of the videos of his performance that I took: Yoisho, Minanosato!

Minanosato's Yumitori-shiki

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For the mailing list - Hidenoyama Oyakata

nobody@vox.com(Barbara Ann) — Mon, 28 May 2007 04:33:15 -0700

Hideyonama Oyakata - then

For the curious on the mailing list and those asking about Hidenoyama Oyakata, then, Hasegawa Katsutoshi.

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