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Now in the 30th Year of Publication!
Sumo World
ln This Issue
On the Cover - Hatsu Basho winner Tochiazuma depicted in this beautiful painting by Lynn Matsuoka.
is
On the Back Cover - Two scenes from ex-yokozuna Kitanofuji kanreki tsunauchi at Hakaku Beya on December 23, 2001 (photos by Clyde Newton). ln the bottom photo Kitanofuji is heralded as tachimochi by ex- Yokozuna Chiyonofuji and as tsuharai by exYokozuna Hokutomi.
ln This Issue: -Editor's Box (2) -Hatsu Basho Banzuke, Makunouchi Division Rankings and Profiles (3-8) -Kitanoumi Elected Rijicho, by Clyde Newton, (9-10) -Ryo Hatano's Column (10) -Sekiwake Who Almost Reached Ozeki, by Andy Adams (11-14) -Kitanofuji Prepares for Kanreki Dohyoiri (15) -Sumo in 1867, Meishobu Revealed (16) -Shin-Sumo for Women, by Kyoko Kawakami (17) -juryo Results, by Mark Newton (18) -Behind the Curtain, by David Meisenzahl (18) -Interview with Kuniazuma, Part II, by Shinobu Suzuki (19) -Obituaries of Ikeda Tsuneo and Kitanonada (20) -Lynn Matsuoka Ad (21) -january 2002 Makunouchi Bouts (22) -january 2002 Results (23) -Haru Basho Preview, by Mark Newton (24) -Hatsu Basho Review, by Clyde Newton (25-27) -Then & Now, Calligraphy, by Clyde Newton (28) -Hatsu Bashojuryo Division Ranking (29-31) -Makushita Division Top 20 Ranks (31)
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Editorial Staff: Clyde Newton Editor and Publisher Andy Adams Associate Editor Ryo Hatano Senior Editor Shinobu Suzuki Staff Columnist Lora Sharnoff Staff Columnist David Meisenzahl Staff Columnist Mark Newton Staff Columnist Mark Schreiber Guest Columnist C. Newton Photographer C. Newton, S. Suzuki Translators AlI subscription checks should be made out to: Sumo World/Clyde Newton. Ali checks and correspondence should be mailed to: Clyde Newton, Editor & Publisher Sumo World 1-2-16 Inokashira, Mitaka-shi, Tokyo 181-0001, japan Tel/Fax: 0422-47-5715 e-Mail: cpnen@iac.co.jp URL: <http://www.sumoworld.com> Please send registered mail only to the following address: Clyde Newton cio Foreign Correspondents' Club ofjapan Yuraku Denki Bldg. 1-7-1 Yurakucho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100,japan Annual Subscription Rates: japan: Regular Mail--~3,900; Express Mail: ~4,900 Overseas Airmail--East Asia: $32.50 U.S., Euripe and the Rest of the World: $35 u.K.: 22.85 pounds sterling Basho Review/Results: $15 SUMO WORLD is a bimonthly magazine published in English on sumo for the foreign community in Japan, the US. military stationed in Japan, foreign tourists visiting Japan and sumo fans in Hawaii, mainland United States, the United Kingdom and other countries in Europe, Brazil and Latin America, Asia/Oceania and elsewhere in the world. Subscribers who do not pay by credit card (via kag.com) are strongly recommended to send cash by registered mail (dollars or yen) or by international postal money orders. This saves time and money both for Sumo World and subscribers. Make out ail checks, including those for subscriptions, back issues, books, etc., to Sumo World/Clyde Newton, payable by a U.S. bank or the U.S. branch of a non-U.S. bank or in pounds sterling payable by a British bank in the U.K. Please do not send checks addressed in any way other than Clyde Newton / Sumo World. Please do not send bank drafts or remittances payable by a Japanese bank. As for Japan, ail those living outside Tokyo should pay by postal cash envelope (genkin kakitome) or postal check.
www.surnoworld.com " Our thanks to"Sumo" of Baseball Magazine-sha for use of photos
(continued on p.l3) 2
New Sumo Kyokai Rijicho Kitanoumi poses with newly-appointed members of his teamon February 4. Front row /rom left; Futagoyama (ex-ozeki Takanohana), Kitanoumi (ex-yokozuna Kitanoumi), Sadogatake (ex-yokozuna Kotozakura). Back row /rom left; Musashigawa (ex-yokozuna Mienoumi, Isenoumi (ex-sekiwake Fujinokawa), Mihogaseki (ex-ozeki Masuiyama).
Kitanoumi Elected Rijicho By Clyde Newton What was expected to be a close race for the rijicho (chairman) post in the Sumo Kyokai turned out to be a shoo-in. As late as December, Futagoyama Oyakata was widely viewed as being the front-runner, given strong support from his ichimon as well as others. There was concern among supporters of Kitanoumi, who is widely viewed as a reformer, that he would have difficulty even being elected as a riji (director), since Dewanoumi Oyakata (ex-sekiwake Washuyama) insisted upon running for a riji post, despite the candidacy of two other men from the Dewanoumi Ichimon-Musashigawa (exyokozuna Mienoumi) and Kitanoumi. Further, Magaki Oyakata (ex-yokozuna Wakanohana II), viewed as co-reformer with Kitanoumi in the pre vious Tokitsukaze "cabinet," hinted that he would strongly support Futagoyama's candidacy. Until 1994, each ichimon agreed in advance upon two candidates for the riji positions, and from 1968 onwards, no elections were necessary because everything had been decided in advance. However, in the mid-1990s, the then rijicho, Sakaigawa (ex-yokozuna Sadanoyama) angered a majority of the oyakata with a number of controversial policies, and the reformers were so determined to oust him that the old fashioned backroom deals were basically thrown out the door, and democratic elections among multiple candidates became a reality, despite resistance from the
old guard. Sakaigawa tried to l'un for reelection in 1998, but the strength of his opponents was such that not only was he forced to withdraw his candidacy, but also the man se en as his preferred eventual successor, the thenJinmaku Oyakata (ex-yokozuna Kitanofuji) lost his riji post and left the Sumo Kyokai in disgust. If Jinmaku had not lost his position, he would likely have become rijicho this time. A compromise was reached where a moderate, Tokitsukaze Oyakata (ex-ozeki Yutakayama) was elected rijicho to replace Sakaigawa. At the time, Kitanoumi was seen as his obvious successor in 2002. However, in the latter part of 2001, Futagoyama was encouraged to run for rijicho by his allies in the Nisho Ichimon. He appeared to have the numbers, but it was all an illusion. With sumo's popularity continuing to slump, much like the batteredJapanese economy, even hard core conservatives began to feel that Kitanoumi was the most appropriate successor. By early J anllary, newspapers began to predict that Kitanollmi's election was a certainty, save for the remote chance of an upset in the initial election for riji slots. The elections for the riji post took place on Febrllary 1. The electorate consisted of aH the oyakata (but not the jun-toshiyori with highest ranks of sekiwake and below), the two tate-gyoji, and both yokozuna and the two senior ozeki. 9
ln the intial balloting for the riji positions, all candidates, with exception of Minato (ex-komusubi Yutakayama) and Musashigawa received 10 votes each, and were automatically elected. Minato and Musashigawa, who had 9 votes each, had to face a runoff. Musahigawa won the runoff by a landslide, garnering 63 votes to Minato's 45. All the candidates for kanji were elected; Tokiwayama (ex-sekiwake Wakachichibu), Hakaku (ex-yokozuna Hokutoumi), and Mihogaseki (ex-ozeki Masuiyama). Mihogaseki was the only non-incumbent; he replaces Musashigawa who was elected riji. Initially, Hidenoyama Oyakata (ex-sekiwake Hasegawa) decided to run along with Tokiwayama from Nisho Ichimon, however, a last-minute settlement was reached where Hidenoyama withdrew. However, he is just about certain to replace Tokiwayama when the latter completes his current term. Born May 16, 1953, Kitanoumi is the youngest man to head the Sumo Kyokai since ex-yokozuna Futabayama, who was only 45 when he took over in 1957. The succession this time represents a dramatic changing of the guard, from 64 year old Tokitsukaze, born in the prewar era, to Kitanoumi, born eight years after the end of W orld War II. All but two (Wakafuji-ex-maegashira Kazuhikari and Sadogatake) of the 10 newly elected riji were born in the postwar era. For the first time in the history of the Sumo Kyokai, one current and two former rijicho are on the payroll together. Tokitsukaze and Sakaigawa were named Sodanyaku, or senior advisors. The two former rijicho are walking into the sunset, as both are 64 and will be retiring from the Sumo Kyokai (Tokitsukaze this August and Sakaigawa next February). The two former rijicho are reaching the end of their sumo careers in good health. Asked what he will do after this August, Tokitsukaze said that his greatest hope is to personally train children to like sumo, and that he looks forward to putting on his mawashi everyday (he still often appears on the Tokitsukaze Beya keikoba in his mawashi to train his deshi). Tokitsukaze did his best as rijicho. While at heart a moderate reformer, he had to reach a delicate balance between the reformers and the conservatives. Kitanoumi will have an even more difficult task, given the extent of sumo's de cline in popularity in j apan. His most immediate priorities will undoubtedly be to increase attendance at hombasho and try to stimulate more interest in sumo on the part of the public, especially young people. At 48, he may have a lengthy tenure, but will probably not want to hold for as long as Kasugano (ex-yokozuna Tochinishiki) who was rijicho was 14 years.
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High Expectations for new Rijicho By Ryo Hatano Kitanoumi Oyakata's election as rijicho did not come as a surprise, as l felt fate had ordained it long ago. First, he was a yokozuna from the Dewanoumi Ichimon, which is the most infleuntial grouping in the sumo world (Kitanoumi be10nged to Mihogaseki Beya as an active rikishi). And he was a very strong yokozuna. There was also considerable support for Kitanoumi to become rikicho the last time the position was to be filled, in 1998. There was also strong support for Tokitsukaze (ex-ozeki Yutakayama). Kitanoumi was interested in becoming rijicho in 1998, but finally the riji (directors) of the Sumo Kyokai elected Tokitsukaze, who served until this january. When Tokitsukaze was elected, it became clear that Kitanoumi was destined to be his successor. And under Tokitsukaze, Kitanoumi serves in the key position of jigyo Bucho (Business Director) of the Sumo Kyokai. The jigyo Bucho positions deals with the business management of sumo tournaments and is thus a crucial stepping stone to the rijicho position. Kitanoumi is 48 years old. He is much younger than his recent predecessors as rijicho. He becomes rijicho at a very difficult time, with sumo's popularity slumping. It is to be hoped that his youth will help him to successfully resolve many of the problems facing the sumo world today. It is said that "new wine should ideally be put in new bottles." ln such a vein, let us look at the composition of Kitanoumi's new administration. The NO.2 position ofjigyo Bucho is held by 61 year old Sadogatake Oyakata (ex-yokozuna Kotozakura). Sadogatake has served as a riji longer than any other incumbent (he is now starting his sixth two-year term). While this move reflects respect for a senior, Sadogatake will be a valuable advisor to Kitanoumi. Futagoyama Oyakata, who served for about five years asjungyo Bucho Uungyo manager) in previous administrations, has been appointed Shinpan Bucho (head of the judging Division). Futagoyama is known for his strictness and dedication to keiko, and there was opposition from sorne to his management of the jungyo. But it is probably a good move to keep him in charge of the dohyo as Shimpan Bucho. Futagoyama is the first former ozeki to head the Shimpanbu. AH his pedecessors were former yokozuna. l think it is a positive move to give a former ozeki the chance to head judging. 46 year old Takasago Oyakata (ex-ozeki Asashio) was reappointed as the head of the Kohobu (PR Division), while 55 year old Isenoumi Oyakata (ex-sekiwake Fujinokawa) was named to head a new section in charge of special projects to revive sumo's popularity. It is to be hoped that this team under Kitanoumi Rijicho will work together to help revive sumo's popularity. 10
Sekiwake Who Almost Reaehed Ozeki by Andy Adams Stretching back over the past seven decades or so, there have been at least 10 rikishi who nearly made ozeki, but ended up not going beyond sekiwake. This sumo survey, of course, does not include currently active sekitori. The 10 ozeki candidates who did not quite make it include the following sekiwake; Dewagatake, Tenryu, Tamanoumi Umekichi, Tamanoumi Daitaro, Annenyama/ Haguroyama, Daigo, Hasegawa, Takamiyama, Tochinowaka, and Kotonishiki.
2. Tenryu (1903-1989) Tenryu is best remembered as being the leader of the Shunjuen Strike in 1932, as a result of which his career was cut short in a rather dramatic way. He only spent four years in the top division, or 14 basho, but during that time he came up with sorne fine records, including a 10-1 mark as a NO.l maegashira. A tall rikishi at 1.88 meters, he got off to a quick start in his first two basho, with 9-2 and 8-3 records, respectively. But an injury sidelined him in the next tourney in January 1929.
1. Dewagatake (1902-1950) Dewagatake was one of the biggest men in modern sumo, standing 207 cm and weighing over 200 kg. He was ranked in Makunouchi between J anuary 1925 and J anuary 1935, and was absent for four and a halfbasho during that period. Despite a strong start with 8-3 and 9-2 records in 1925, he was never able to surpass that, compiling a total oHour 8-3 records and one 9-2 mark. His closest approach to ozeki promotion was in 1927, when he had a 6-3- 2 record at komusubi followed by a 7-4 mark at the same rank.
Though continuously ranked in Sanyaku between January 1926 and October 1928, he never rose above the maegashira ranks after he was demoted back there in January 1929. A gentle giant who raised sparrows as a hobby, he was one of the most popular rikishi of his era. Slow and lumbering, he was plagued with back problems in the latter part ofhis career. Mter falling toJuryo in May 1935, he was absent for nearly three years, falling ail the way down to Sandanme. Aging and just a shadow ofhis old self, he was still reluctant to retire. He managed to work his way back up to Makushita, but retired there in May 1939. He became an oyakata, but left sumo altogether in the early postwar years and spent the last years of his life running a humble yakitori stail near the Koiwa railway station in' Tokyo.
Tenryu gotgoing again in March 1930 with a spectacular 10-1 record. It earned him promotion to sekiwake and in his last four basho before leading the stiike inJanuary 1932, he compiled three strong 8-3 records. Under normal circumstances, this impressive run of8-3 marks would have put him on the brink of ozeki promotion. However, his mentor, Dewanoumi Oyakata (ex-komusubi Ryogoku) is believed to have favored his other sti'ong deshi, Musashiyama, who was promoted to ozeki directly from komusubi inJanuary 1932, with records inferior to those of Tenryu. Tenryu led the Shunjuen Strike, which nearly resulted in the collapse ofthe Sumo Kyokai, inJanuary 1932. After his demands were rejected, he and his colleagues cut off their mage and launched an independent sumo group, which eventually became the Kansai Sumo Kyokai. Tenryu was ranked as ozeki on the Kansai Zumo banzuke, but that rank was ne ver recognized by the Sumo Kyokai in Tokyo. Tenryu's active career came to an end in August 1937, when Kansai Zumo disbanded after its final basho. Though unlucky in his sumo career, Tenryu proved to be a survivor of survivors in his post-sumo career. He sought anew career in the puppet state of Manchukuo (Manchuria) and eventually became the secretaIT of the local prime minister. He narrowly escaped capture by the Red Army at the end of World War II in 1945. He returned toJapan and became a sumo commentator from the 1950s onward. He was nearly 86 when he died in 1989, and unapologetic for the 1932 sti'ike until the end of his life. 3. Tamanoumi 1 Umekichi (1912-1988) Tamanoumi l competed in 23 basho in Makunouchi, betweenJanuary 1935 and November 1945. Although he didn't take the yusho, he came fairly close to 11
..----
ozeki promotion with an 11-4 record injanuary 1941, followed by a 13-2 mark in May at komusubi and a fine 105 effort atsekiwakeinjanuary 1942. Alltonoavail. It was
apparently not quite good enough to warrant his promotion to ozeki. His last big effort was a 10-5 record in j anuary 1944. But it was too little and too late. He retired in 1945 and left sumo altogether in 1951, after heading Nishonoseki Beya for 13 years (the first six as an active rikishi, or nimaikansatsu). He is best remembered as an outstanding TV and radio sumo commentator from the 1950s to early 1980s.
Tamanoumi
approach to ozeki promotion. Although 12-3, 11-4, and two 10-5 records in the last career, they were aIl so widely separated that he was unable to launch another promotion
4. Tamanoumi II Daitaro (1923-1988) Tamanoumi entered Nishonoseki Beya as a 13 year old in 1937. He rose to Makushita while still in his midteens, but was thrown out of sumo in disgrace in 1940 after assaulting a j apanese soldier in occupied China. Army hotheads supposedly marked him for death, and he was soon drafted and sent to Guadalcanal. He almost died from malaria on the island, but was evacuated. After recovering, he was sent to Manchukuo, and was captured by the Russians at the end of the war. He managed to escape somewhere enroute to a Siberian forced labor camp, and returned tojapan the following year.
was allowed to resume
his sumo career
after a lapse of 10 years, in 1950. He was already 27 year~ old, but he rose to Makunouchi in September 1952 and achieved a sh'ong 10-5 debut at NO.18 maegashira. He stunned the sumo world by finishing with an outstanding 13-2 record in his second basho in the top division in january 1953. Buthe was notpromoted to sanyaku, only to the top of the maegashira ranks. A make-koshi mark in the next basho brought the high-flying 30 year old rikishi back down to earth. It was another three years before Tama launched his first bid for ozeki promotion, with two consecutive 10-5 records in March and May 1956, and although he slipped to 9-6 in September as a new komusubi, it was still good enough to win promotion to sekiwake in january 1957. A new sekiwake at age 34, Tama roared to consecutive 11-4 records injanuary and March 1957. He was standing on the brink of ozeki promotion! But his luck suddenly changed when he injured himself prior to the N atsu Basho, and although he decided to participate and not lose his big chance to reach ozeki, it was hopeless as he lost his first five bouts and withdrew on the sixth day. Tamanoumi returned to action in N ovember 1957, after recovering from illness. Despite having been demoted to N 0.14 maegashira, he was determined to pick up where he left off the previous March. November 1957, the first postwar tournament held in Fukuoka, was a magical moment for Tamanoumi, the highlight of his career as he mowed down everyone he faced on the dohyo and powered his way to zensho yusho, 15-0. But a disappointing record in the next basho undermined his second close
before retiring at 38 injanuary
he came up with three years ofhis from each other drive for ozeki 1961.
5. AnnenyamalHaguroyama (1934- ) Annenyama (his shikona was changed to Haguroyama in 1961) competed in a total of 57 basho in Makunouchi between May 1954 and March 1965. He had two opportunities to advance to ozeki; in May 1957 when he won the won the yusho as a new komusubi, with a 13-2 record, and again in November 1959, when he had a 12-3 mark at sekiwake. But he slipped to 9-6 in September 1957 after his 13-2 record and could only come through 8-7 records before and after his 12-3 mark: Altogether, he had 14 basho at sekiwake. He was never able to compile double-digits in consecutive basho.
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Haguroyama had a poor 2-13 record in his final basho atkomusubiinJanuary 1963. He retiredinMarch 1965 and headed Tatsunami Beya from 1969 to 1999, when he reached the Sumo Kyokai's retirement age of 65.
Maenoyama being demoted after the basho), there was a generally feeling that there were already enough rikishi at the second highest rank.
6 Daigo (1937-1983)
Daigo, a tall rikishi at 1.88cm, had two golden opportunities to gain promotion to ozeki during his eight and a half years in Makunouchi; with a yusho-winning 14-1 record in May 1960 and a strong 12-3 performance in November 1965. But both times he was ranked as a maegashira, and by the time he had reached sekiwake, the magic faded. He slumped to 7-8 at sekiwake inJuly 1960 after his brilliant victory in May.
Hasegawa would have definitely been promoted with Il or more wins in May 1972, but instead he had a disappointing 8-7 record, and inJuly he lost his sanyaku rank with a 5-10 mark. Hasegawa was to return to sanyaku four more times, but he seemed disheartened and never came close to ozeki promotion again. He retired in May 1976 after spending a remarkable 30 basho, or five years, in sanyaku, including 21 basho at sekiwake. Now Hidenoyama Oyakata, he is still a member of Sadogatake Beya. He caught fire again in November 1962 with a strong 123 record as aNo.6 maegashira, butslipped back to 8-7 in the following tournament. His last major effort was a strong 123 record as a NO.6 maegashira in November 1965. It was his last hurrah. ln 1966, he fell apart with four consecutive make-koshi marks. He retired in May 1967, rather than compete inJuryo. He was still only 29 years old. 7. Hasegawa
(1944-
)
Hasegawa will probably go down as having been the greatest sekiwake of the 20th century. He was born in Southern Sakhalin, then still part ofJapan, in 1944, but was was raised in Hokkaido after the end ofWorld War II. He entered Sadogatake Beya in 1960 and reached theJuryo at the early age of 18 inJanuary 1963. An injury senthim back to Makushita, but he soon returned, and reached Makunouchi inJanuary 1965. He was first promoted to komusubi in November of the same year, butdid notreach sekiwake untilJanuary 1969. Hasegawa was ranked continuously at sekiwake from January 1969 to March 1970. After five consecutive 9-6 records from the maegashira level, he caught fire with an 11-4record inJuly 1969, but had a letdown with a mediocre 8-7 mark in the following tournament. Hasegawa had another lengthy spell at sekiwake between May 1971 and May 1972. He came closest to ozeki at the beginning of 1972, with a 10-5 record inJanuary followed by a yushowinning 12-3 mark in March. He defeated young maegashira Kaiketsu (later a two-time ozeki) in the playoff for the yusho in March. However, there was no ozeki promotion. With four ozeki at the time (even with
8. Takamiyama
(1944-
)
Like Tochinowaka, a strong sekiwake of the 1990s, Takamiyama also had only one real chance to secure promotion to ozeki. It came about four and a half years after he was promoted to Makunouchi. After squeezing out an 8-7 mark in May 1972 at NO.7 maegashira, the Hawaiian rikishi astounded the sumo world in the following Nagoya Basho inJuly by powering his wasy to an incredible 13-2 record and the first yusho by a Foreign rikishi. Unfortunately forJ esse, as he was affectionately known by his many fans, he was unable to follow through with another impressive record in the following Aki Basho, that could well have boosted him to ozeki. Instead, he dropped his first four
13
bouts in September and wound up with a disappointing 510 record. The 192cm, 205 kg foreign rikishi (he is now a naturalized Japanese citizen) still had another 12 years before he would hang up his mawashi. Among other things, Takamiyama set a new record for consecutive appearances of 1,271 bouts, a mark he still holds. During his 16 years in the top division, he chalked up three 11-4 records and six 10-5 marks in addition to his 13-2 yusho. He also must have been one of the few Makunouchi rikishi who ever had a 10-5 record sandwiched between two 3-12 marks. Takamiyama should also be given credit as the pathfinder or ground-breaker for later foreign rikishi successes, including Konishiki's promotion to ozeki and Akebono's and Musashimaru's promotions to yokozuna. 9. Tochinowaka (1962-
came very close to ozeki promotion with two brilliant records in late 1991. Despite a 13-2 yusho in September 1991, as a maegashira and a 12-3jun-yusho in November, a 4-11 mark in the precedingJuly tournament undermined his efforts. Even at that, the Sumo Kyokai seemed much too strict in denying ozeki promotion to Kotonishiki, especially in view of many other subsequent ozeki promotions based on records that were not nearly as impressive as Kotonishiki's record. As happened with many otherwouldbe ozeki, Koto suffered a very untimely injury before the crucial Hatsu Basho of 1992, and struggled through with a 7-8 make-koshi mark.
)
Tochinowaka, the only ex-college sumotori of the 10 near sekiwake, never took the yusho and had only one realistic crack at making ozeki during his over 13 years in Makunouchi. Like sorne of the other 10 would-be ozeki, he was a big man at 190cm and 158kg. But unlike the other sekiwake who launched their drive for ozeki almost as soon as they entered the top division, Tochi had to wait for six years before the right opportunity presented itself. His one big chance to reach ozeki came between the Aki Basho of
1991 and the HaruBas卯lO ofl992. He gotgoingwith an 114 record in September 1991 and followed it with a 10-5 in November, but his momentum broke when he stumbled to 8-7 inJanuary 1992. Itwas too bad, because ifhe had come up with double figures in the win column inJanuary, his oustanding 12-3 runnerup performance in March could very well have been enough to boost mm to ozeki. But that wasjust about all she wrote because he was injured in May and withdrew on the Il th day and ended up with a 2-9-4 record. Altogether, Tochi had one 12-3 record, one 11-4 mark, and seven 10-5 records. 10. Kotonishiki (1968-
)
Kotonishiki was the winner oftwo yusho separated by seven years; in September 1991 and November 1998. He
Amazingly, Koto had another another excellent chance to go for ozeki exactly one year after he launched his first ozeki promotion drive-in September 1992. He came through with a strong 11-4 record in that Aki Basho and then followed it up with a fine 11-4 record in N ovember 1992. But worse 1uckfor Koto. History virtually repeated itself as he suffered another 7-8 make-koshi mark. Although Koto still had eight years left before he completed his remarkable career, he was never able to again put together two consecutive records in double figures among his subsequent 14-1 (1), 12-3 (1),11-4 (1),and 10-5 (4)marks. But at least he has the satisfaction of knowing that he is the only rikishi to capture two yusho as a maegashira. He also holds the alltime record for holding a lower sanyaku rank (sekiwake and komusubi) for a total of 34 basho. He also received 18 sansho, one less than the alltime record of 19 sansho held by Akinoshima. At Kotonishiki at 176cm and 136kg was one of the smallest rikishi of the alltime gTeat sekiwake.
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Kitanofuji Prepares for Kanreki Dohyoiri By Clyde Newton Former Yokozuna Kitanofuji, retired for 28 years and out of the sumo world for four, celebrates his 60th birthday, or kanreki (five cycles of the zodiac) on March 26. To prepare for the kanreki dohyoiri, scheduled for February 23, a tsunauchi (making of new tsuna) rituaI was held at Hakaku Beya on December 23,2001. After four hours were spent making a red kanreki tsuna for Kitanofuji, now an NHK sumo commentator, and for his two yokozuna deshi, 46 year old Chiyonofuji (tachimochi) and 38 year old Hokutoumi (tsuyuharai). The actual kanreki dohyoiri was scheduled for February 23, at the Hotel New Otani. Since Kitanofuji left sumo in 1998, he was not eligible to perform his kanreki dohyo on the dohyo at the Kokugikan. He thus becomes the first former yokozuna to perform his kanreki dohyoiri outside the Kokugikan since Tachiyama in 1937. Kitanofuji began his sumo career as a 14 year old in January 1957, reached the Makunouchi inJanuary 1964 and was promoted to yokozuna together with the ill-fated Tamanoumi inJanuary 1970. He retied inJuly 1974.
Eternal Youth-The correct lengthfor the tsuna is measured. The excess is then severed. Kitanofuji's physique is remarkably well-preserved, and it is hard to believe that he is nearly 60. The former yokozuna works out at a fitness club every day and regularly visits a tanning salon. As a yokozuna in the early 1970s, he weighed 135 kilograms. Today he is down to a lean and muscular 97 kilograms. Beginning of Kitanofuji's Tsunauchi-Young rikishi carry the materials for Kitanofuji's red tsuna onto the dohyo.
Tying the New Tsuna-KitanofL~ji has a tsuna tied around his keshomawashi for the first time since his intai-zumo in February 1975.
Three Kokonoe Beya Yokozuna-Kitanofuji poses with his two ex-yokozuna deshi, Chiyonofuji (left), now Kokonoe Oyakata and Hokutoumi (Ieft), now Hakaku Oyakata. It was the j誰rst time they had worn tsuna together. 15
British Journalist'sAccount of a Day at Sumo in 1867
ment. After sorne time, another couple come on; and so it continues till evening. The umpire then reads the names of those who are going to act next day, amidst the loud applause of the spectators; and the finale consists in whole corps coming in, naked to the waist, but wearing magnificent aprons and clapping their hands, three times as they stand in a circle."
Meishobu Revealed Ozeki Tochiazuma vs Ozeki Chiyotaikai (tsukiotoshi)
january 2002 (15th Day Playofj) Frame 1-The pent-up Chiyo charges a bit too low and Tochi immediately senses his chance to sidestep.
This account of sumo, one of the earliest to appear in Europe, ran in the February 1, 1868 edition of the Illustrated London News. Given the transportation systems of the time, we can assume that the writer is describing an Osaka-Zumotournamentin 1867, the third yearofthe Keio Era. At the time, a 15 year old boy, Emperor Mutsuhito (Meiji)had just been enthroned, and J apan was in the throes of a massive upheaval, which would result in the end of the Tokugawa Shogunate and the Meiji Restoration the following year.
Frame 2-Tochi moves aside and suddenly Chiyo finds he is charging into empty space.
A Japanese Wrestling Match
Our correspondent inJ apan, Mr. C. Wirgman, supplies the sketch we have engTaved, representingthe exhibition of a wrestling match by profession al gymnasts in the city of Osaka, where this kind of entertainment is next in popularity to the clever theatrical performances which were the subject of his last contribution:"The wrestling at Osakais exhibited under an enormous mat shed, filled with people. ln the centre is a raised mound of earth, fOl"minga platform under a canopy. There is a bucket of water on on one side, a wooden ladle, and a little basket of salt. The contending performers begin the operation by going to the bucket of waterr, and rinsing their mouths; then they take a pinch of salt, and rub it under their arms and on their chests to purify themselves. After these ceremonies, they advance and squat down opposite each other; they take a piece of straw, grass, or twig, and break it in two between them. They then put themselves into the positions assumed by frogs, and with their hands give tremendous slaps on their thighs, and stretch their muscles to the utrnost; after which they pretend to wrestle. But, instead of continuing the struggle, they soon retire, and go in for water and salt. They then repeat the frog movements, and pretend to go at the wrestling again; but suddenly they want more salt and water. Perhaps one of them manifests a great predilection for one of the posts, and pulls at it; but soon desists, and goes more salt and water. After a great deal of this work, they begin really to wrestle, and he who throws the other outside the ring is proclaimed victor. The people then go mad and throw money warpped in paper to the hero of the encounter. This is an occasion for excite-
Frame 3-Chiyo goes down ail fours.
Frame 4-Chiyo bites the dust and Tochiazuma has won his first yusho.
Frame 5-Chiyotaikai gets up, his face still expressionless. Hundreds of disappointed fans threw their cushions onto the i dohyo.
16
Shin-Sumo for Women by Kyoko Kawakami ln the old]apan, there were quite a few places where women were not allowed for religious reasons, such as ente ring sorne mountains, tunnels, breweries and so on. But most allow women to enter nowadays. The dohyo is an exception. While Nihon Sumo Kyokai keeps up "traditions", amateur sumo has opened a door for women to be on the same dohyo for men. Women's sumo is called "shinsumo". The nationwide shinsumo tournament, launched in 1997,is an annual event and the first World Shinsumo Championships was held in Hirosaki, Aomori Ken last October. Women from 17 countries and regions participated in the Championships and competed on the dohyo. Ishigaya Satomi, the winner of the first Championships in the middleweight division, is a sophomore at Nihon University (Nichidai) and belongs to its sumo club (sumobu). It is the only university to have sumo club for women and its sumo club started accepting female members in 2000. Ishigaya and two other girls became the first female members of the sumo club. Nichidai's sumo-bu has a long history and a good reputation for its through the accomplishments of its me mbers. Many graduates succeeded in the professional sumo world. Wajima, Mainoumi, and Kotomitsuki are famous graduates.
Since two more girlsjoined the club last year, five female members are members and practice with about 40 male members. Tsushima Hideto, one of the club's coaches, felt uneasy about training women and studied women's constitution at first. "1 train women as strictly as l do men lately," Tsushima said. Shimizu Rika, a sophomore, feels happy to practice with male members at prestigious Nichidai's sumobu. The members of the club have customarily lived together in a dormitory in Tokyo adjoining the training area just like a professional sumo beya. Female members don't live there, but live together in a five-bedroom house, which is a five-minute walk from the training area. Except for two-week summer and New Year's holidays, they practice everyday-seven days a week. They have little
time to spend on anything other than study and sumo. Their lifestyle is completely different from that of other university students. "l'm here just because l like sumo," said freshman Iwai Tamami. She won the bronze medal in lightweight division in the W orld Championships last year and aims at the gold medal in her next chance. The International Sumo Federation, the organization which stages the World Championships, hopes that sumo will be included as a full-fledged Olympic sport and feels that women's sumo needs to be further developed. "1 am happy to be on the dohyo and do sumo as a woman, in any case," smiles Shimizu. "1 would like more people to know women can enjoy sumo." International Sumo Federation is planning to hold the second World Shinsumo Championships in Warsaw this year. Along with the spread of shinsumo, more women both in and outside of] apan are on the same dohyo as men are. Saito Mina, a freshman, objects to the Sumo Kyokai's attitude. "1don't think it is a good idea to bar women from entering the dohyo of professional sumo world." Saito, who is from the same town as Mainoumi in Aomori prefecturethe birthplace of many famous rikishi- wans the Sumo Kyokai to change its mind. Ex-Yokozuna Akebono has danpatsu-shiki at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan last September. Even his mother was not allowed to enter the dohyo to cut her son's topknot. "1 believe women will be allowed to enter the professional dohyo sorne day in the future," said Asai Emi, a sophomore. "Because we are now allowed to be on the dohyo here." Ishigaya and Shimizu agree with her. A small Shinto altar is kept in Nichidai' s keikoba, just like every sumo beya does. We might accept changes without breaking tradition. 17
JuryoResults By Mark Newton
ln the climax to an exciting tournament in which four rikishi finished with 11-4 or 12-3 marks, Takamisakari forced out Shimotori in a playoff to take theJuryo yusho after both rikishi finished with 12-3 records. Taka miffed his chance to clinch the yusho on the 14'h day when he was upset by No. 13Juryo Gojoro, who executed a kubinage throw just as Taka seemed set to march him out with his morozashi hold (both hands under his opponent's arms) on Gojoro. Going into the 15th day Taka led with a 12-2 record, with Shimotori and kohai in Azumazeki Beya, Ushiomaru, one step behind at 11-3. On the final day Daishi pulled Taka down by hikiotoshi, which automatically guaranteed a playoff as Shimotori and Ushiomaru were faced off against each other. Shimo defeated Ushio by kubinage to make it to the playoffwith Takamisakari. Towanoyama finished in third place with an 11-4 record. Robocop Takamisakari seemed headed for the sanyaku two years ago but a knee injury sent him hurtling down the ranks aU the way to NO.lO Makushita in May 2001. ln the meantime his Azumasekijunior Ushiomaru was gradually moving up the Makushita ranks and finally was promoted to the Juryo inJanuary, providing sorne competition for Taka. A lightweight at 136kg, Taka depends on a good de-ashi (initial charge) so he can get his favorite right hand grip on his opponent's belt, and his performance this tournament indicates he is close to his form of two years ago. With the exception of a 6-9 record in theJuly 2001 basho, Shimotori has chalked up 10 kachikoshi (majority ofwins) performances sin ce he entered sumo in May 2000 at NO.60 Makushita. At 189 cm and 146km he has the potential to make it to the sanyaku in the near future. His 12-3 record at NO.3Juryo ensured his promotion to the Makunouchi for the March basho. Ushiomaru turned in a remarkable 11-4performance in hisJuryo debut basho. Shizuoka city's firstsekitori in 60 years will be promoted to the higherJuryo ranks and will have a shot at promotion to the top division if he can win Il bouts in March. Towanoyama won his last four bouts to finish with an 11-4 at NO.3 Juryo and gained promotion to the Makunouchi for the first time. Towa mentioned that he was careful not to 10sehis composure, and his oyakata had told him to stay confident. At 205kg, Towa will be the second heaviest Makunouchi grappler after Musashimaru. As usual the greatest applause was reserved for two former sekiwake, Takatoriki and Terao. Taka was 7-6 going into the l4th day but he overcame two Makunouchi rikishi, Tochisakae and Kobo, to gain promotion back to the Makunouchi. Terao, on the other hand, didn't seem to be in good shape, finishing with a po or 5-10 record. ln other Juryo action No. 9 Kasuganishiki fini shed with a fine 10-5. He will have a chance at promotion to the top division in March. Brazilian Kuniazuma only managed 6 wins at No. 5. ln a match to determine who would be in the Juryo in March, NO.5 Makushita Senshuyama forced outJuryo No. 8 Hamanoshima for a 5-2 record. Hama finished with a 4-11 and will be demoted to the Makushita. Although he already has a
toshiyori kabu reserved, Hama has decided not to retire. No. 13 Wakatoba only won 4 bouts and will be demoted to the Makushita. Kotoryu, Higonoumi, Takanotsuru and Kotokanyu were absent but as their injuries in the November basho were officially recognized by the Sumo Association they will main tain their ranks in the March tournament.
Behind the Curtain By David
Meisenzahl
Spring is in the air, hanami is only weeks away, that means that the Osaka basho is about to begin. This basho we have two new faces stepping in front of the curtain and another sumotori stepping up to sekitori for the fifth time in his career. Senshuyama (No.5 Makushita) posted a respectable 5 wins and 210sses at the last basho in Tokyo. These results combined with the fact that only one sumotori above him got kachi-koshi, propels Senshuyama into juryo. Several rikishi have stepped in front of the curtain five times but it is believed that only one other man has do ne it six times. It should not come to any surprise if Senshuyama matches this record and even surpasses it. Note that his stable, Takasago-beya, is merging with Wakamatsu-beya. Perhaps his new colleagues can train him into condition to have an extended stay in the juryo ranks. Iwakiyama (No.3 Makushita) posted a great record of 6 wins and Il0ss, the best record of the three rikishi getting promoted to juryo this tourney. Better still, he is the first sekitori from ex-Komusubi Ryogoku's Nakadachi-beya. At last year's Haru Basho, Iwa took the Sandanme yusho and continued to climb the ladder till now he finds himself in front of the curtain. It is rumored that when Iwa's close friend passed away in a traffic accident, he decided to give sumo a try. He then suffered an injury early in his career, which put him deep down into Sandanme, but his Sandanme yusho was the turning point. Hokutoiwa (No.2 Makushita) posted a just passing record of 4 wins and 3 losses, letting him sneak in front of the curtain. He took his sweet time getting there too, taking into consideration that back in 1997 he entered at tsukedashi. He posted a losing record in his debut and then managed to get an injury. He has turned things around in the past year, but it might be hard for him to remaining longer than one basho at juryo. Hamanoshima (No.8Juryo) could onlypostarecord of 4 wins and 1110sses, which is guaranteed to drop him like a rock into makushita. Considering that he was in makuuchi for 9 years, peaking at komusubi, one wonders if he will retire rather than go back to a lifestyle of sumo slavery as a tsukebito (Hamanoshima has vowed to try for a comeback in Makushita-ed). Wakatoba (No.13) also posted an awful record of 4 wins and Il losses, his last win coming on day 9 against Hokutoriki. He could not get a win the final 6 days, so he earns himself a trip back behind the curtain. Gojoro (No.13 Juryo) posted a record of 7 wins and 8 losses, and had his chances of staying in juryo wiped away by Harunoyama on senshuraku. He had spent a long stretch in makushita, nursing various injuries, and it looked like he was back inJuryo to stay. It is quite likely he will return to juryo for the next Tokyo basho in May. Seems so long ago when he first became a sekitori, way back in Nagoya 1995. 18
predict what strategy a low ranker will use. Another factor which made the situation harder for me was the extraordinarily aggressive fighting spirit lower rankers show when facing a former high ranker since downing a former high ranker is a great achievement for lower rankers because usually rikishi coming down from a higher By Shinobu Suzuki level are expected to win. S: ln November 1996, when you reached Makushita for s: Returning to Jonidan at NO.30 for the January 1996 the second time, Tochiazuma, from your heya, was tourney you were further promoted to sandanme No. 94 promoted to the top Makunouchi division, only 12 basho for the following Haru Basho in Osaka, but you ended up after his debut. What did you think about his rise at that with a record of 4-1-2. What happened to you during that time? K: Nothing, in particular. tournament? K: 1was in good shape in the 1996 Haru Basho, winning S: You saw the future Tochiazuma in Brazil before you my first three bouts, when 1 faced Wakakinryu of jOined the heya. When did you see him? Oshiogawa-beya on the 8th day for kachi-koshi, the 4th K: ln 1990, when Tochi came to Brazil as a member of a win. Onesidedly, 1forced him backwards straight as far as junior high school sumo team and in his last year at junior the edge of the dohyo, and downed him, but the high school, and we became acquainted each other. S: Tell me about the results of the bouts between the two momentum 1gained at the jump-off was such a powerful ofyou then. that 1was not able stop myself before 1flew off the dohyo K: We fought no bouts with each other due to the and sprained my right ankle. difference in our ages. He is one year younger than me. S: You were eligible for the public injury system, which allowed you to sit aside the May 1996 tourney at S: As for your language, while your command ofJ apanese is now perfect, you encountered sorne difficulty in sandanme NO.74. A 5-2 record you chalked at sandanme NO.74 in the following Nagoya Basho boosted you up to communication for a few months after you came toJapan sandanme 42 for the Aki Basho, where you won the from Brazil along with the other three J apanese- Brazilian sandanme for the second time. youths. Realizing that you could not depend foreover on K: 1 achieved a 7-0 on the 13th day but another rikishi the three youths for J apanese language translation, you remained undefeated at 6-0. His loss on that day began studyingJapanese language diligently. K: A few months after becoming members of the heya, we, automatically made me the winner of the sandanme Brazilians were given tasks intended to greatly reduce the yusho. amount of time we spent together. By using this strategy, S: You came back to Makushita for the 1996 Kyushu Basho for the first time in two year, since November 1994 the oyakata urged us to acquire conversation skills for daily tournament which you were absent at makushita NO.27 life inJapanese, implicitly discouraging us from talking to each other in Portuguese. Okamisan, the oyakata's wife, due to the back trouble. S: It is said that while you were in the hospital for eight helped me study Japanese by giving me Japanese books months you once thought of throwing in the towel, but designed for kindergarten or elementary school kids. S: What a professor do to encourage you to learn J apanese? words from your mentor, ex-sekiwake Tochiazuma, dissuaded you from quitting. The Oyakata told you K: A professor from Waseda University interviewed something like this; "almost ail rikishi face injuries at sorne okamisan and me at the beginning ofthis year (2001) and point in their career before showing their true potential as wrote a book about how foreign rikishi develop excellent a rikishi. Overcoming hardships strengthens you as a Japanese speaking ability. The book deals with rikishi of other heya as weil. human being." Did he tell you something like this? (To be continued) K: You are right. 1was wondering whether 1 would fully recover from the injury and resume my sumo career wh en the Oyakata came to talk to me. That conversation changed things. Returning to Brazil after having a little as a rikishi inJapan would have been a disgrace for ail the members of my family back in Sao Paulo. 1 could not stand thinking of going back home Brazil with my tail between my legs. 1 hate to be beaten by the rikishi 1face on the dohyo. S: You said that when you are demoted from a high rank to a low level you only could display the power necessary to compete with rikishi at the low rank. So, when you were demoted from Makushita down toJ onokuchi for the last time, you intended to forget you once had risen as high as to Makushita, didn't you? K: Most higher ranking rikishi, say, sekitori, develop their own fighting style so that it is not so hard to imagine how a high rank rikishi moves on the dohyo in a bout with me. On the other hand, low rankers are usually totally free as to which technique they use, sin ce in general they do not Yusho Parade-KuniaZLIl11a (Ieft) and Tochiazul17a pose at the possess finely honed skills. Therefore, it is difficult to start of Tochiazul17a's victory parade in January.
Interview with Kuniazuma: Part Il
19
Baseball Magazine Chairman Ikeda Tsuneo Dies at 90 Ikeda Tsuneo, the chairman and founder of Baseball Magazine Sha, which publishes Sumo magazine, died from pneumonia in Tokyo on February 9, at th~ age of90. A sports publishing legend, he played a leadmg role m Japan's sports magazine industry for seven ~ecades. . He was born in Kita Uonuma-gun, Nllgata Ken m 1911. After graduating from Waseda University in 1933, he joined Hakubunkan, which then published Yaky~kal, the most popular baseball magazine inJapan at the tlme. Yakukai published sumo magazines before each basho. ln 1937, though still only 25 years old, he was promoted to editor-in-chief of Yakukai. His younger brother Masao (1915-1988) began writing for Yakukai's sumo magazines in the late 1930s, and was in the postwar era to become one of the greatest authorities on sumo's history. Due to the deteriorating war situation, Hakubunkan was forced to temporary cease publishing in 1945, and the following year Ikeda Tsuneo established his own company, Baseball Magazine Sha. ln 1949, the Sumo Kyokai asked Baseball Magazine Sha to start pubhshmg a sumo magazine, as its own organ, the monthly Sumo magazine published from 1936, was in danger of becoming defunct, due to lack of funds and a shortage of paper, among other factors. . . Baseball Magazine's first sumo magazme, a special issue for the October 1949 Aki Basho in Osaka, was published. It's coyer featured ozeki Masuiyama l (the father of the present Mihogaseki Oyakata, former ozeki Masuiyama II).
increased, the magazine eventually became a monthly. Ikeda launched monthly and weekly baseball magazines, and the weekly has become one of Japan's best selling magazines. ln the 1980s, Ikeda Tsuneo stepped d.own as president of Baseball Magazine, in favor of his son Masuo, and became chairman of the company. Masuo died in his 50s and was replaced by Ikeda's third son, Ikeda Tetsuo, the current president. During his lifetime, Ikeda Tsuneo was given the great honor (especially for a non-player) of being enshrined in Japan's pro baseball Hall of Fame. He was also a pion~er of Japanese friendship with Eastern European countnes during the communist era. An avid art collector, he donated his collection to his hometown in Niigata, which has constructed a museum in his honoL
Ex-Sekiwake Kitanonada Dies at 78 Former sekiwake Kitanonada, a popular sumo commentator in the 1980s and 1990s and one of the leading rikishi of the Tochi-Waka Era, died at a hotspring hospital at Nasu Shiobara in Tochigi Ken onJanuary 8, from cerebral thrombosis. He was 78. He suffered a stroke in March last year and had been gradually recovering and undergoing rehabilitation wh en he suffered a second and fatal stroke over the New Year holidays. He was the fatherin-Iaw of Takekuma Oyakata (ex-Sekiwake Kurohimeyama) and the grandfather of CUITentrikishi Haguronada and Haguroshima. . Kitanonada was born in Hokkaido on February 1,1923 and entered Tatsunami Beya, then run by ex-Komusubi Midorishima, just before the J anuary 1940 tournament. He reachedJuryo in October 1948 and Makunouchl m September 1950. Standing at 180cm and weighing 120kg, he moved up to komusubi in September 1954 and sekiwake in November 1957, bywhich time he was nearly 35 years old. . .. . Nicknamed shiroi inazuma (white hghtmng) for hls bullet-like tachi-ai and fast, furious bouts, he worked his way back up to the sanyaku in 1960, holding a sekiwake rank for the last time inJuly of that year, at age 37. He retired at 39 in March 1962, rather than be demoted to Juryo. He remained with Tatsunami as !akekuma Oyakata and served as ryi, or director, ofthe Nlhon Sumo Kyokai between 1978 and 1982. HIS eldest daughter Kumiko married former sekiwake Kurohlmeyama. Kitanonada reached the Sumo Kyokai's retirement age of 65 in 1988 and became an NHK TV sumo commentatoL Robust and healthy into his late 70s, he last commentated in 2000.
ln February 1952, Baseball Magazine's became the officiaI organ of the Sumo Kyokai. Issues appeared before and after each tournament, and as the number of tournaments 20
Available for your sumo art collection: The beautiful coyer painting of Tochiazuma-zeki by Lynn Matsuoka. The price is $4,750, and includes the special fie to the japan Sumo Association, tax, and shipping. It is unique, so order now to be the one who gets it! You can order this from the website using PAYPAL, or through e-mail with a money order payable in US dollars.
Also available through e-mail or through the website:
This beautiful original painting of OZEKI KAIO, captures his true game face and style. Oil and graphite on archivaI paper, mounted on archivaI backing, signed and stamped by the artist. Priee: $4,900, including the special fee to the J apan Sumo Association, tax, and shipping.
THE RIV ALRY (from the Winners Series (please refer to the website) an open edition lithograph depicting the two Yokozuna, Takanohana and Akebono with Musoyama as the tachimochi. Mounted on acidfree backing, and personaUy signed by the artist. AU lithos in this series are $48 each, inclusive of tax and fee and for shipping.
SEE THE WEBSITE FOR OTHER IMAGES AND OFFERS! http://www.lynnmatsuoka.com Please contact the studio through e-mail: artist@aloha.net
21
JANUARY 2002 MAKUNOUCHI Wi nner· Tech nici ue· Losel' Ist Day Setoryu (shitatehineri) Kilazakura
Asanowaka Tochisakae
Tochisakae Hamanishiki (tsukiotoshi)Jurnonji (kakenage) Oginishiki
Tamarikido (kakellage}Jumonji Tokitsuumi (hikiotoshi) Buyuzan Daizen (uwatedashinage) Oikari Tosanoumi (oshidashi) Tamakasuga
Wakanoyama (oshidashi) Asanowaka T okitsuumi (yorikiri) Oikari Aminishiki (yorikiri) Tamarikido Tamakasuga(hatakikorni) (oshidashi) Daizen Kobo Buyuzan Tosanoumi (yoritaoshi) Otsukasa Tochinonada (yorikiri) Kotonowaka
(okuridashi) (tsukiotoshi)
Sentoryu Aminishiki
Kotonowaka (yorikiri) Tochinonada (oshidashi) Kobo Chiyotenzan Dejima (oshidashi) Otsukasa Kotomitsuki Kyokutenho Akinoshima
yoritaoshi) 'Wakanosato tYOrikiri) hatakikomi)Kaiho Asashoryu
Takanowaka (uwatenag:e) Chiyotenzan Dejima Takanonami (isamiashi) Kaiho (okuridashi) Toki Asashoryu (oshidashi) Tamanoshima Tochiazuma (tsukiotoshi) Akinoshima Chiyotaikai (hikiotoshi) Kyokushuzan
Kaio (yorikiri) (oshidashi) Kyokushuzan Tochiazuma Takanonami Chiyotaikai (oshidashi) Toki Tamanoshima (makiotoshi) Musoyama
Kotomitsuki (sukuinage) Musoyama Kaio (koshikudake) Kyokutenho Wakanosalo (yorikiri) Musashimaru
jumonji Oikari
2nd Day Sentoryu (lsukioloshi)Hamanishiki Takatoriki (oshidashi) rumonji Wakanoyama (oshidashi) Oginishiki Tochisakae (oshidashi) Asanowaka Tamakasuga Kobo (yorikiri)(rorikiri) Oikari Tokilsuumi Buyuzan (yorikiri)Tamarikido Aminishiki (okurinage) Daizen Takanowaka (yorikiri) Otsukasa Tosanoumî (yorikiri) Kotonowaka Dejima (uwatedashinage) Tochinonada Chiyolenzan Takanonami
(oshidashi) (kimedashi)
Kyokushuzan Kyokutenho
7th Day (sukuinagei (hatakikomi
Towanoyama Sentoryu
Tokitsuumi (yorikiri) Wakanoyama Oginishiki (shilatenage) Kobo Daizen (oshidashi) Asanowaka Buyuzall (oshidashi) Tochisakae Hamanishiki (yoritaoshi) Tosanoumi Aminishiki (yorikiri) Tochinonada Kolonowaka (yorikiri) Tamarikido Tamakasu,ga (hikiotoshi)Chiyolenzan Dejima Otsukasa loshitaoshi) Wakanosato (uwatena&e) Akinoshima Takanonami (kotenage) Asashoryu Kotomitsuki (yorilaoshi) Kyokushuzan Musoyama Kaio \oshidashi) (waridashi) Taki Kaiho Tochiazuma (yorikiri) Tamanoshima Chiyotaikai (yorikiri) Kyokutenho
BOUTS Akinoshima Kyokutellho
yorikiri) Kaio ~YOrikiri) yoritaoshi) Akinoshima Kaiho (oshidashi) Asashoryu
8th Day Takatoriki
(oshidashi)
Sentoryu
Kaiho Toki
Asashoryu (yorikiri) Krokushuzan Musoyama (yoritaoshi Wakanosato Kaio (uwatenage) Dejima KOlonowaka Tochiazuma (oshidashi) Chiyotaikai (oshidashi) Kotomitsuki
12th Da)' Shimolori (yorikiri) Senoloryu (tsukitaoshi)Wakanoyama Tokilsuumi Towanoyama (oshitaoshi) Oikari Aminishiki (hikiotoshi) Hamanishiki Tamarikido (yorikiri) Asanowaka Tochisakae (oshidashi) Tamakasuga Kobo (hikiotoshi).lumonji Buyuzan (oshidasfii) Oginishiki Dejima (oshidashi) Daizen Otsllkasa (halakikomi) Kaiho Kotollowaka Takanonami Toki (oshilaoshi)(yorikiri) Akinoshima Kyokllshuzan (uwatenage) Wakanosalo Kyoklltenho Chiyotaikai Musoyama Asashoryu Kotomilsuki I3lh
(halakikomi) Tosanoumi Tamanoshima (hikiotoshi) (oshidashi) Tochinonada (sukuinage) Kaio (oshitaoshi) Tochiazuma
Day
lumonji (oshidashi) 'Tochisakae (oshidashi)Kitazakura VVakanoyama Aminishiki (okuridashi) Sentoryu Tokitsuumi (isamiashi) Daizen Buyuzan Otsukasa
(hikiotoshi) (uwatenage)
Kotonowaka Takanowaka Wakanosalo Kotomitsuki Tochiazuma Chiyotaikai
(tsukiotoshi) (oshidashi)
Tamakasllga Hamanisfliki
(yorikiri) (hatakikomi)Oginishiki Asanowaka
Oikari (hatakikomi) (oshidashi) Toki
Tamanoshima Tamarikido
Toki (hikioloshi)(oshilaoshi) Musoyarna Tamanoshima Musashimaru
Tochisakae (oshidashi) Hamanishiki Tokitsuumi (sukuinage)Wa'kanoyama lumonji Oikari (hatakikomi)
Akinoshima Kyokushuzan
3rd Da)' Tochisakae
Aminishiki (yorikiri) Asallowaka Oginishiki (shitatenage) Tamarikido Daizen (oshidashi) Kobo
Takanonami lhatakikomi Delïma Wakanosato Kyokutenho (yorikiri) Asashoryu (tsukidashi) Tochinonada Kotomitsuki (katasukashi) Tasanoumi Chiyotaikai (oshidashi) Musoyama Kaio (oshidashi) Tochiazuma
(oshidashi)
Terao
Oginishikî (yorîkirî) Senloryu lumonji (yorikirî) Asanowaka Tokitsuumi Hamanishiki (shilalehineri) Aminishiki (hikiotoshi) Wakanoyama Oikari (oshitaoshî) Tamakasuga Tamarikido (shitalenage) Daizen Otsukasa (hatakikomi) Kobo Tochinonada (oshidashi) Buyuzan
Tochinonada Tosanoumi Kolonowaka
Tosanoumî (uwatenage) Dejîma Chiyotenzan (shitatenage) Kotonowaka Takanonami (yorikiri) Takanowaka Asashoryu (hikiotoshi) Kaiho Kotomitsuki (yorikiri) Taki
Musoyama (oshidashi) Kaio (yoritaoshi) Kaiho Takanonami Tochiazuma (yorikiri) vVakanosalo
Musoyama (oshidashi) Akinoshima Kaia (yorikiri) Tamanoshima Tochiazuma (oshidashi) Kyokutenho Chiyotaikai (hatakikomi) Wakanosato Kyokushuzan (hikake) Musashimaru 4th Day jumonji (shitatenage) Senloryu Shimotori (yoritaoshi) Oginishiki Tokitsuumi (yorikiri) Asanowaka Hamanishiki (hikiotoshi) Tamarikido Tochisakae (hatakikomi) Oikari Tamakasuga (yorikiri) Wakanoyama Buyuzan (tsukiotoshi) Aminishiki Tosanoumi (tsukiotoshi) Kobo Otsukasa (tsukiotoshi) Daizen Tochinonada (fusensho)Takanowaka Dejima (oshidashi) Kotonowaka Taki (hatakikomi) Chiyotenzan Wakanosato (yorikiri) Tamanoshima Kotomitsuki Kyokutenha Chiyotaikai (tsukidashi) Akinoshima Musoyama (oshidashi) Kyokushuzan Takanonami (yorikiri) Kaio Tochiazuma (uwatedashinage) Asashoryu Kaiho (fusensho) Musashimaru 5th Day Senloryu
(oshidashi)
Tochisakae
Hamanishiki (yorikiri) Asanowaka lumonji Shimotori (oshidashi) Oginishiki (yorikiri)Tamarikido Tokitsuumi Oi1.ari (oshidashi) V{akanoyama (yoritaoshi) Kobo Tamakasuga (yarikiri) Otsukasa Aminishiki Buyuzan (fiikiotoshi) Tochinonada (tsukiotoshi) Tosanoumi Dauzen (yorikiri) Kotonowaka Chiyotenzan (hikiotoshi) Dejima Wakanosato (yorikiri) (sukuinage) Asashoryu Toki Kaiho Kolomitsuki Tochiazuma Chiyolaikai
(yorikiri) [oshitaoshi) Takanonami Kyokushuzan (oshidashi) Tamanoshima
(oshidashi (halakikOmi\ (hlakikomi
Tamakasuga Buyuzan Otsukasa
Kyokushuzan (yorikiri) Toki Akinoshima (hatakikomi) Tamanoshima Kotomitsuki (yorikiri\ Chiyotenzan Asashoryu Chiyotaikai (oshidashi (oshidashi) Kyokutenho Dejima
9th DaI' Shimotori (uwatenage) Sentoryu lumonji (kolenage) Oikari Tokitsuumi (oshidashi) Aminishiki Asanowaka (halakikomil Tamakasuga (sukuina<Te Kobo Oginishiki Daizen (okUl-idashi) Wakanoyama Otsukasa (tsllkiotoshi) Tamarikido Tosanoumi (tsllkidashi) Tochisakae
l4th Day Takatoriki (hatakikomi) Tochisakae Wakalloyama (uwatedashinage) Kitazakura Aogiyama (tsukidashi) Asallowaka Oginishiki (kolenage) Tamakasuga (oshidashi) Oikari Sentoryu Daizen (yoritaoshi) Hamanishiki Tokitsuumi (yorikiri) Otsukasa Kaiho (tsukiotoshi) Tamarikido Tamanoshima (sotogake) Kobo Toki (lSukiotoshi) Takanowaka Takanonami (oshitaoshi) Kyokushllzan Akinoshima (hikiotosbi) Dejima \oVakanosato (yorilaoshi) Tochinonada Kotonowaka (yorikiri) Kyokulenho Bllyuzan (tsukiotoshi) Kotomilsuki Tosanoumi (oshidashi) Asashoryu Chiyotaikai Tochiazuma
Hamanishiki (oshidashi) Buyuzan Tochinonada Kolonowaka (yorikiri) Dejirna (yoritaoshi) Kaiho Kyokushuzan (okurihikioloshi) Tamanoshima Kyokutenho (hatakikorni) Akinoshima Asashoryu (sotogake) Tochiazuma (tsukidashi) Wakanosato Toki Chiyotaikai (oshidashi) Takanonami Musoyama (oshidashi) Chiyotenzan Kotomitsuki (yorikiri) Kaio lOth Day Kitazakura (yorikiri) Asanowaka Tokilsuumi Tochisakae \'\Takanoyama ~yoritaoshil (yorikiri Tamarikido Sentoryu (yoritaoshi) Kobo Buyuzall (oshidashi) Hamanishiki Oginishiki (okuridashi) Daizen Otsukasa (hatakikomi) Oikari Kotonowaka (yorikiri) Aminishiki Tosanoumi (tsukiotoshi) Takanonami Toki (halakikomi) Tamanoshima Kyokushuzan
(uchimuso)
Akinoshima
(uwatenage) (totari) KaihoKobo
(oshitaoshi) (oshidashi)
Kaio Musoyama
[5th Day Towanoyama (yorikiri) Wakanoyama Oikari (oshitaoshi) Hamanishiki Tamarikido (yorikiri) Kitazakura Takatoriki (yoritaoshi) Kobo Buyuzan (ashidashi) Sentoryu Tochisakae (hatakikomi) Otsllkasa TokitsllumÎ Tosanoumi Tochinonada (shitatenage) (yarikiri) Oginishiki Takanonami (tsukiotoshi) Tamakasuga Kaiho (hikiotoshi)Jumonji Aminishiki (oshidashiJ Toki Asanowaka Akinoshima Dejima
(hikiotoshi) (ashidashi)
(oshidashi)
Wakanosato
yorikiri)
Kotomitsuki Kyokutenho Tochiazullla
ltsuridashi) oshidashi)
Musoyama Playoff Tochiazuma
Tamanoshima Daizen
Kyokyushuzan
(oshidashi) (tsukiotoshi)
Kotonowaka Asashoryu Takanowaka Chiyotaikai Kaio Chiyotaikai
Tochinonada VVakanosalo (yorikiri) (oshitaoshi)Kxokutenho Kotomitsuki Kaio (fusensho) Chiyolenzan Tochiazurna (yorikiri) Dejima Kaiho (tsukiotoshi) Chiyotaikai Musoyama (tsukidashi) Asashoryu 1Ith Day Sentoryu (yorikiri) Towanoyama Takaloriki (hikiotoshi) Wakanoyama Oikari (hatakikomi) Asanowaka Kobo (ketaaS':lri) Tamarikido Hamanishiki (yoritaoshi) Tamakasuga Daizen (yorikiri) Tochisakae
Musoyama (yorikiri)Akinoshima Kyokutenho Kaio (uwatenage) 6th Day Oginishiki (yorikiri) Kitazakura Hamanishiki (oshidashi) Wakanoyama
Buyuzan (oshidashi}.Jumonji Otsllkasa (hikiotoshiJ Aminishiki (uchimuso) 0f<TiniShiki osanoumi Tokitsuumi (yoritaoshi) Tochinonada Tamanoshima (yorikiri) Takanonami
22
10 114 Wakatsutomu Kaio Daimanazuru Komahikari Raido Ozeki Tochiazuma Makushita Makushita Il13 12 Kotoiwakuni Tomikaze Shinmei Yokozuna Takanohana Maegashira Makushita Makushita Kotokanyu Gojoro 52Kyokutenho 9876315 414Jumonji Oga Masutsuyoshi Tochinoyama Ozeki Komusubi Msuoyama 523467913 10 1Kinkaiyama 8Il Akinoshima Toki Takanonami Dejima Kotonowaka Hayateumi Otsukasa Kobo Daizen Tamarikido Asofuji Otoryu 8654210 712 Hamanoshima Harunoyama Oikari Juryo Maegashira 113 93Il Wakakosho Higonoumi Terao Kotoryu Takanotsuru Towanoyama Hokutoriki 12 Hamanishiki Asanowaka Takamisakari Toyozakura Sekiwake Asashoryu Sumanofuji Juryo JANUARY 2002 HIGASHI (EAST)
11-4 35-2 6-1 2-5 47-8 -4 -11. 8-7 4-3 3-4 7-8 4-11 6-9 Absent7-8 Absent6-9 11-4 9-6 Absent Absent 3-4 2-5 4-3 10-5 13-2* 4-3 4-11 1-6 13-2 12-3 5-2 1-6 95-10 6-9 3-12 3-7-5 3-4-8 1-3-11 -6 6-9 Absent9-6 10-5 6-9 8-7 3-12 5-10 7-8Absent 11-4 10-5 12-3 9-6 7-8 12-3*
NISHI (WEST) 23
Haru Basho Preview
Tochiazuma Favored to Take Yusho & Clinch Promotion to Yokozuna By Mark The Osaka basho promises to be an exciting one as a yusho by either Tochiazuma and Chiyotaikai could boost them to yokozuna, and an 11-4 or 12-3 record will be enough to ensure promotion to ozeki for Kotomitsuki. The March tournament often provides more than the usual number of upsets and an occasional unlikely yusho winner, such as Takatoriki, so it is likely to be the most exciting tournament in recent years. The Sumo Kyokai is desperate to see a new yokozuna with Musashimaru and Takanohana in the twilight of their careers, and Musoyama and Kaio plagued with injuries. The Yokozuna Promotion Council hinted that a yusho by either Tochiazuma or Chiyotaikai would be sufficient for yokozuna promotion, and moreover that a yusho by Chiyo and a runner-up performance by Tochi might be enough to ensure a dua~promotion to yokozuna for the first time since Tamanoumi and Kitanofuji were promoted together in 1970. By promoting Tochiazuma for a runner-up performance it would mean a relaxation of the stricter standards imposed by the JSA over the last decade or so. The last five ozeki promoted to yokozuna have each won consecutive yusho in the two basho prior to their promotion. Tochiazuma is a very skillful rikishi and knows how to remain calm even wh en he is on the defensive trying to fend off slappers and thrusters like Chiyotaikai and Asashoryu. Tochi didn't lose his cool even when he lost a couple of front teeth in the midst of a vicious slapping attack by Asashoryu in January. Tochi is one of the smaller rikishi in the top division, so he has to fight hard to win, and this boosts his popularity. He usually starts out with otsuke to keep his opponent from getting a favorable belt hold or to wither a slapping attack, and then goes for the front of his opponent's mawashi. He is a skilled technician, and he knows how change his tactics in the middle of a bout. Engaging in henka (sidestepping an opponent) could hurt his chances for promotion but there are those who maintain that times have changed so henka is a perfectly acceptable technique, even for an ozeki or yokozuna. Tochi is likely to have his work cut out for him when he faces Kaio, Chiyotaikai and Asashoryu. Look for him to win the yusho with 13 wins and gain promotion to yokozuna. Chiyotaikai put in a superb performance inJanuary, and managed to do so without relying on his habit of slapping down opponents. ln sumo, pushers such as Chiyo are said to have hot and cold streaks, so it may be too early to judge whether his 13-2 inJanuary was just a fluke or whether his sumo has changed for the better. Since he only managed to complete two tournaments last year, promoting Chiyo if he wins the yusho might be a risky proposition, and would be a break with tradition. Since Terukuni's promotion to yokozuna in 1942, no ozeki has been promoted to yokozuna without completing three basho prior to promotion. Expect a letdown. Il wins.
Newton Kotomitsuki suffered a bitter disappointment when his expected promotion to ozeki was ruled out despite a 12-3 record inJ anuary. His loss to maegashira Buyuzan, the fact that he was a maegashira when he won the yusho in September, and his 9-6 mark in November were probably responsible for this. The unofficial stricter standards for ozeki promotion sin ce the late 800s (the last 12 rikishi promoted to ozeki have averaged 34 wins over the three basho prior to promotion may have been another reason for putting off his promotion. Finally, Dejima and Miyabiyama's po or performances as ozeki may have made the Sumo Kyokai determined to avoid a hast y promotion. This extremely skillful rikishi should have no problem getting Il or 12 wins in March and with it promotion to ozeki. y okozuna Musashimaru pulled out of the J anuary tournament after two los ses in the first three days as he soon discovered his wrist injury had not healed. Musashi has engaged in hardly any training since November last year. If he competes he will be coming into the basho without proper training so he is unlikely to figure in the yusho race. If he competes expect about 10 wins. He is likely to skip the tournament. As of the end of February Japan's vemacular sports papers were split on whether yokozuna Takanohana would compete or not. If he did compete he would be coming into the toumament without any keiko (training) againstJuryo or Makunouchi rikishi in nearly nine months. He is unlikely to take that risk. Look for a comeback in May. With Tochiazuma and Chiyotaikai in the spotlight, one-time yokozuna candidate Kaio has been forgotten. It is too early to count him out, though. Ifhis back injuries are under control Kaio could come back strong and take the yusho but it is unlikely. Expect about 9 or 10 wins again. Musoyama is in the same boat as Kaio, but seems to have his injury under control to sorne extent. Although he tends to succumb to his opponents pull-down tactics at the edge of dohyo nowadays, perhaps due to his declining strength, Muso should win 9 or 10 bouts. Sekiwake Asashoryu never seemed to get going in the January toumament perhaps due to a shoulder problem and over-training. He is likely to coming roaring back with 10 or 11 wins in March. Komusubi Wakanosato doesn't seem ready to make his move on ozeki yet. A little more technique would help put his strength to better use. Expect 8 or 9 wins. Ex-ozeki Takanonami will be the highest ranked of the three former ozeki at komusubi but is unlikely to maintain his rank. ln the upper maegashira ranks Buyuzan and Tosanoumi are likely to provide sorne upsets. Takamisakari could be in contention for the Emperor's Cup for the first ten days or so. Shimotori and Towanoyama are promising rikishi and should make kachikoshi (a majority of wins) in their first basho in the Makunouchi.
24
.'
Hatsu Basho Roundup / Hi-lights Summary of the Hatsu Basho
j
Ozeki Tochiazuma won his first title on the final day of the Hatsu Basho, after defeating fellow ozeki Chiyotaikai in a playoff for the championship, coming from behind to take the title. Tochiazuma thus became the first new ozeki to win the yusho in his first toumament at the rank since Kiyokuni inJuly 1969. By winning his first Makunouchi yusho, Tochiazuma also became the first rikishi since World War II to win the title of ail six divisions. The last rikishi to achieve that feat was yokozuna Haguroyama, who set his record wh en he took his first Makunouchi title in May 1941. Tochiazuma was also the first ozeki to win Il consecutive bouts from the opening day in the postwar era. Tochiazuma's father and mentor, Tamanoi Oyakata (former sekiwake Tochiazuma) won his only title exactly 30 years before his son, inJanuary 1972. The Hatsu Basho was one of the most exciting in recent years, with ozeki Tochiazuma and Chiyotaikai and sekiwake Kotomitsuki also undefeated going into the lOth day. From there, possession of the lead fluctuated day-by-day, with first Kotomitsuki losing, then Chiyotaikai, and finally Tochiazuma. Chiyotaikai, who was kadoban (his rank was on the line) in the Hatsu Basho, seemed to have a strrong edge going into the final day, as he was 13-1 and Tochiazuma was trailing in second place at 12-2. After defeating Chiyotaikai in the their regularly scheduled bout on the senshuraku, Tochiazuma sidestepped Chiyotaikai at the tachi-ai in their 13-2 playoff. The capacity crowd at the Kokugikan, save for diehard Tochiazuma fans, was disappointed. Cushions were thrown onto the dohyo. Tochiazuma's yusho has placed him on the brink of promotion to yokozuna. If he wins the yusho again in March with 13 or more wins, or even ifhe achieves a very strong mnner-up performance with a commensurate record, he is likely to become the first rikishi to be promoted to yokozuna after only two tournaments at ozeki since Temkuni in 1942. There have been hints from sorne in the Sumo Kyokai that a double promotion of Tochiazuma and Chiyotaikai is possible after the Ham Basho, if they both do extraordinarily weil. Yokozuna Takanohana was absent for the fourth consecutive tournament in January, and the other yokozuna, Musashimam, dropped out with a poor 1-3-11 record to a wrist injury. The domination of the Hatsu Basho by a trio of25 years olds born in 1976 indicates that a changing of the guard is finally taking place. The two yokozuna will have to go ail out to win the yusho again. The other two ozeki, Kaio and Musoyama, managed to hold their own, but were never in the race for the title. Musoyama got off ta a poor start, but rallied after the first few days. Kaio, on the other hand, was obviously still not in top condition, due ta lingering back pain. Musoyama finished with a 10-5 record, while Kaio slipped ta 9-6, the first time he has failed ta win in double digits since his promotion ta other, other than in tournaments where he has dropped out. While Kaio and Musoyama are still strong enough ta hold their ranks for a couple more years, it is increasingly unlikely that they will ever again be serious yokozuna candidates again.
One of the most positive developments in the Hatsu Basho was ail four ozeki achieving kachi-koshi. As a result, there will be no kadoban ozeki in March, for the first time in a year. Sekiwake Kotomitsuki finished with a fine 12-3 record and was in the thick of the yusho race until the 14th day. There was speculation that he would be promoted ta ozeki if he won 12 or more bouts. However, he was not promo ted, but will have a good chance to get the nod in March if he can win 12 or more bouts. Both strong and skillful, Kotomitsuki has superior long range potential ta Tochiazuma and Chiyotaikai, and the odds are thathe will be promoted to yokozuna at sorne point in the future. Mongolian Asashoryu, competing in his first tournament at sekiwake, ended with a winning 8-7 record, while the third sekiwake, former ozeki Miyabiyama, was absent. Miyabiyama, who is still only 24, will make his comeback in March, probably in the lower maegashira ranks. Komusubi Wakanosato managed to finally achieve kachi-koshi on the senshuraku. ln the last few tournaments, Wakanosato has not been very impressive, and he seems ta be falling behind the other 25 year olds in sanyaku. New komusubi Asashoryu lost to every sanyaku opponent he faced, but managed ta finish with a respectable 6-9 record in his sanyaku debut. Former ozeki Takanonami surprisingly achieved kachi-koshi at NO.3 maegashira, and is likely to be promoted back to komusubi in March. NO.8maegashira Buyuzan, who had a fine 11-4 record, was awarded the Kantosho, or Fighting Spirit Prize. The 27 year old Musashigawa Beya collegian has been in Makunouchi for only two basho, but has won sansho prizes in both.
Musashimaru Loses-Komusubi Wakanosato yokozuna Musashimaru on the opening day.
overpowered
25
Power Sumo by Chiyotaikai-Ozeki Chiyotaikai easi/y drove out new sekiwake Asashoryu on the second day, by oshidashi.
First Loss for Kotomitsuki-Sekiwake Kotomitsuki, undefeated through the 9th day, suffered his first loss at the hands ofNo.6 maegashira Tochinonada on the lOth day.
Gruelling Bout-Ozeki Tochiazuma hur/s out an exhausted sekiwake Asashoryu on the fourth day, after a grue/Ling strugg/e that was the greatest bout of the tournament. At one point, the bout had to be suspended when Tochi's nose started b/eeding profuse/y.
Takanonami No Match for Tochiazuma-Tochiazuma needed on/y three seconds to overpower fading former ozeki Takanonami by oshidashi on the sixth day. Back up at a high maegashira rank, Takanonami surprising/y managed to win 8 bouts and return to komusubi for the Haru Bas/w.
Second Straight Loss for Kotomitsuki-/n a crucial clash between ozeki Chiyotaikai and sekiwake Kotomitsuki on the / / th day, the ozeki (/ejf) prevailed by oshidashi. 26
Kotomitsuki Stuns Tochiazuma-Tochiazuma's hopes of becoming the first new ozeki to achieve zensho yusho since Futabayama inJanuary 1937, were shattered by Kotomitsuki (left) on the 12th day. Kota won by oshitaoshi.
Tochiazuma Forces Playoff-Ozeki Tochiazuma forced ozeki Chiyotaikai into a 13-2 playojf by wi!u端ng their /irst senshuraku bout and forcing a playojf. See the playojf on p.16.
Chiyo Triumphs in Ozeki Clash-Chiyotaikai racked up his 12th win on the 13th day by booming out fellow ozeki Musoyama.
Struggle for Double Digits-ln a senshuraku clash between ozeki with 9-5 records, Musoyama easily prevailed over Kaio.
Hatsu Basho Awards *
Yusho:
* Jun-Yusho: Stunning Upset by Buyuzan-No.8 maegashira Buyuzan achieved a stunning upset over Kotomitsuki on the l4th day, eliminating the sekiwake /rom the yusho race.
Ozeki Tochiazuma
'.' Kanto-sho: * Gino-sho:
Ozeki Chiyotaikai NO.8 Maegashira Buyuzan Sekiwake Kotomitsuki
'l' Gino-sho: '.' Shukun-sho:
NO.ll Maegashira Not awarded
Tokitsuumi
13-2 12-3 11-4 12-3 11-4
27
Then&Now Sho-Calligraphy-l by Clyde Newton Older japanese invariably complain about the poor calligraphy of the younger generation. The same holds true in the sumo world. Older observers often remark as to how poor the brush strokes of contemporary rikishi are, as compared with rikishi of past generations. Actually, fewer and fewer rikishi make traditional sho, or calligraphy these days. Mass produced tegata (handprints) are far less time consuming. The finest calligraphy in sumo has traditionally been made by the gyoji, who are expected to have good penmanship. But sorne yokozuna have had gyoji class calligraphy, especially Hitachiyama and Onishiki in the Meiji and Taisho Eras. The samples below are representative of calligraphy of past generations.
Left-Ozeki A brush drawing of a man in a boat with birds overhead by Yokozuna Chiyonoyama (1926-1977). Right-Yokozuna Kagamisato (1923), "nin" or perseverance. The kanji character for "nin" has nine different meanings.
Left-Meiji Era Yokozuna Hitaehiyama (1874-1922), a simple signature. Right-Yokozuna Onishiki (1891-1941), the characters are for "dan," or a clean break. Perhaps dating from the time he broke with sumo in 1923.
Left-Yokozuna Yoshibayama (1920-1977), "uma" or horse. This was Yoshibayama's favorite character. RightformaI calligraphy on a shikishi board by tate-gyoji Kimura Shonosuke XXIV (1901-1973). He had a58 year career as a gyoji, between 1908 and 1966.
Left-Yokozuna Tamanishiki (1903-1938), "kotobuki" good fortune. Tamanishiki had only a grade school education, but he was a reasonably good calligrapher. Right: Yosekaki Ooint signature) of three Takasago Beya yokozuna-Maedayama (1914-1971) and his deshi Azumafuji (1921-1973) and Asashio (1929-1988).
Left-Yokozuna Tochinishiki (1925-1990). This fine calligraphy on a shikishi dates from his promotion to yokozuna in 1954. Tochinishiki was well known for his excellent calligraphy. Right-Sekiwake Tamanoumi II (1923-1988), "nin" or perseverence. Tamanoumi II was a survivor of the battle of Guadacanal and the mentor of Yokozuna Tamanoumi. 28