Naganoyama

To what rank do you think Asasekiryu could be promoted after his performance this basho?

I seem to remember just such a clarification when Asashoryu was tsunadori. Kitanoumi said that a Yusho with 13 wins would be sufficient. When Shoryu stood at 13-1, Kitanoumi then said that 14 wins would secure it. (In a state of confusion...) Edit: fixed the broken quote (Write 300 times: Never edit after you preview. Never edit after you preview...)

Asasekiryu looks like he thinks he is about to be kissed. Look at his expression of distaste. (In a state of confusion...)

In case this has not been done elsewhere: How may tsunadori will there be in Natsu Basho? - Asashoryu beats Chiyotaikai - Asasekiryu beats Wakanosato - None? - Wakanosato beats Asasekiryu - Chiyotaikai beats Asashoryu and wins play-off - One? - Asashoryu beats Chiyotaikai - Wakanosato beats Asasekiryu - Kaio beats Musoyama - Two? cellspacing="0"> Afterday 14, March 2004, Makuuchi division scores are: Wins Rikishi Shikona 14 1 Asashoryu 13 2 Chiyotaikai, Asasekiryu 12 1 Kaio 11 0 - 10 1 Kotonowaka 9 4 Musoyama, Kyokutenho, Hokutoriki, Kaiho 8 6 Miyabiyama, Buyuzan, Kokkai, Takekaze, Toki,Harunoyama 7 8 Wakanosato, Dejima, Tochinonada, Tokitsuumi,Iwakiyama, Takamisakari, Kotoryu, Ushiomaru 6 6 Kotomitsuki, Shimotori, Tochisakae, Futeno,Toyozakura, Yotsukasa 5 4 Kakizoe, Tamanoshima, Takanonami, Asanowaka 4 5 Kyokushuzan, Tosanoumi, Jumonji, Kinkaiyama,Kasuganishiki 3 1 Chiyotenzan 2 2 Aminishiki, Wakanoyama 1 0 - 0 0 - cellspacing="0"> Afterday 14, March 2004, Juryo division scores are: Wins Rikishi Shikona 14 0 - 13 0 - 12 0 - 11 2 Hayateumi, Hakuho 10 0 - 9 4 Takanowaka, Kasugao, Ama, Bushuyama 8 5 Kobo, Kaido, Kitazakura, Takanotsuru, Sumanofuji 7 5 Otsukasa, Tamakasuga, Wakatoba, Gojoro,Tokitenku 6 6 Oikari, Roho, Tamarikido, Hamanishiki,Dewanofuji, Wakakosho 5 2 Daimanazuru, Ichinotani 4 0 - 3 2 Juzan, Masutsuyoshi 2 0 - 1 0 - 0 0 - <

No. Neither fast, nor a win. Just another 'Air Hayate' bout. Sorry I was not clear.

cellpadding="3"> After day 13,March 2004, Makuuchi division scores are: Wins Rikishi Shikona 13 2 Asashoryu, Chiyotaikai 12 1 Asasekiryu 11 1 Kaio 10 0 - 9 2 Musoyama, Kotonowaka 8 7 Miyabiyama, Kyokutenho, Hokutoriki, Buyuzan,Kokkai, Takekaze, Kaiho 7 7 Dejima, Iwakiyama, Takamisakari, Kotoryu, Toki,Harunoyama, Ushiomaru 6 5 Wakanosato, Tochinonada, Tokitsuumi, Tochisakae,Yotsukasa 5 6 Kotomitsuki, Kakizoe, Shimotori, Tamanoshima,Futeno, Toyozakura 4 5 Tosanoumi, Jumonji, Takanonami, Kasuganishiki,Asanowaka 3 2 Kyokushuzan, Kinkaiyama 2 3 Aminishiki, Chiyotenzan, Wakanoyama 1 0 - 0 0 - cellpadding="3"> After day 13,March 2004, Juryo division scores are: Wins Rikishi Shikona 13 0 - 12 0 - 11 0 - 10 2 Hayateumi, Hakuho 9 1 Kasugao 8 5 Kobo, Takanowaka, Kitazakura, Ama, Bushuyama 7 6 Tamakasuga, Kaido, Gojoro, Takanotsuru,Sumanofuji, Tokitenku 6 7 Oikari, Otsukasa, Roho, Wakatoba, Tamarikido,Hamanishiki, Dewanofuji 5 2 Daimanazuru, Wakakosho 4 1 Ichinotani 3 2 Juzan, Masutsuyoshi 2 0 - 1 0 - 0 0 - <

Actually two. The first, which I have not seen, but which was reported in Le Monde du Sumo, was against Asasekiryu on Day 5 (the mizu-iri bout, the start of which was not available from banzuke.com) and the second against Yotsukasa on Day 6.

width="100%"> After day 12,March 2004, Makuuchi division scores are: Wins Rikishi Shikona 12 3 Asashoryu, Chiyotaikai, Asasekiryu 11 1 Kaio 10 0 - 9 1 Kotonowaka 8 2 Musoyama, Miyabiyama 7 11 Kyokutenho, Hokutoriki, Takamisakari, Buyuzan,Kokkai, Kotoryu, Takekaze, Toki, Harunoyama, Ushiomaru, Kaiho 6 5 Dejima, Tochinonada, Tokitsuumi, Iwakiyama,Tochisakae 5 4 Wakanosato, Kakizoe, Tamanoshima, Yotsukasa 4 8 Kotomitsuki, Shimotori, Jumonji, Takanonami,Kasuganishiki, Asanowaka, Futeno, Toyozakura 3 2 Tosanoumi, Kinkaiyama 2 3 Kyokushuzan, Aminishiki, Chiyotenzan 1 1 Wakanoyama 0 0 - width="100%"> After day 12,March 2004, Juryo division scores are: Wins Rikishi Shikona 12 0 - 11 0 - 10 0 - 9 2 Hayateumi, Hakuho 8 2 Takanowaka, Kasugao 7 9 Tamakasuga, Kobo, Kaido, Kitazakura, Gojoro,Sumanofuji, Tokitenku, Ama, Bushuyama 6 5 Otsukasa, Wakatoba, Takanotsuru, Hamanishiki,Dewanofuji 5 4 Oikari, Roho, Tamarikido, Daimanazuru 4 2 Wakakosho, Ichinotani 3 1 Juzan 2 1 Masutsuyoshi 1 0 - 0 0 - <

But what about Wakanoyama - does anyone know whether he has made any statement about retiring if, as now looks inevitable, he is demoted to Juryo?

align="center"> After day 11,March 2004, Makuuchi division scores are: Wins Rikishi Shikona 11 4 Asashoryu, Chiyotaikai, Kaio, Asasekiryu 10 0 - 9 0 - 8 2 Musoyama, Kotonowaka 7 6 Miyabiyama, Hokutoriki, Buyuzan, Kokkai,Harunoyama, Kaiho 6 7 Kyokutenho, Tochisakae, Takamisakari, Kotoryu,Takekaze, Toki, Ushiomaru 5 7 Wakanosato, Dejima, Tochinonada, Tamanoshima,Tokitsuumi, Iwakiyama, Yotsukasa 4 6 Kotomitsuki, Kakizoe, Shimotori, Takanonami,Asanowaka, Futeno 3 4 Jumonji, Kinkaiyama, Kasuganishiki, Toyozakura 2 4 Kyokushuzan, Aminishiki, Tosanoumi, Chiyotenzan 1 1 Wakanoyama 0 0 - align="center"> After day 11,March 2004, Juryo division scores are: Wins Rikishi Shikona 11 0 - 10 0 - 9 0 - 8 3 Hayateumi, Kasugao, Hakuho 7 6 Tamakasuga, Kobo, Kaido, Takanowaka, Kitazakura,Bushuyama 6 5 Otsukasa, Gojoro, Sumanofuji, Tokitenku, Ama 5 6 Oikari, Wakatoba, Takanotsuru, Hamanishiki,Dewanofuji, Daimanazuru 4 4 Roho, Tamarikido, Wakakosho, Ichinotani 3 1 Juzan 2 1 Masutsuyoshi 1 0 - 0 0 - <

This thread is excellent. This is exactly the sort of discussion I joined the forum to see. Lots of different opinions, well-argued and with not a discourteous word even in the face of implacable disagreement. (In a state of confusion...)

This is not particularly surprising. A rikishi capable of scoring 15-0 would _almost_ certainly be an Ozeki or Yokozuna. Two such rikishi would have faced each other (and one of them would have a loss therefore) unless they were stable mates. I suppose we do have a number of examples of Yokozuna/Ozeki (in various combinations) from the same stable but they are a minority case. Given how rare it is to have two unbeaten rikishi late in the tournament anyway, the probability is very low. (There are members of this forum much better able to calculate this than me!)

1989. So that makes it possibly even more special than a zensho yusho! I wonder when was the last time the end result of such a close basho was a zensho.

width="100%"> After day 10,March 2004, Makuuchi division scores are: Wins Rikishi Shikona 10 4 Asashoryu, Chiyotaikai, Kaio, Asasekiryu 9 0 - 8 0 - 7 4 Musoyama, Hokutoriki, Kokkai, Kotonowaka 6 8 Miyabiyama, Takamisakari, Buyuzan, Kotoryu,Takekaze, Toki, Harunoyama, Kaiho 5 9 Wakanosato, Dejima, Kyokutenho, Tochinonada,Tamanoshima, Iwakiyama, Tochisakae, Ushiomaru, Yotsukasa 4 3 Kakizoe, Shimotori, Tokitsuumi 3 7 Kotomitsuki, Kinkaiyama, Takanonami,Kasuganishiki, Asanowaka, Futeno, Toyozakura 2 4 Kyokushuzan, Aminishiki, Jumonji, Chiyotenzan 1 2 Tosanoumi, Wakanoyama 0 0 - width="100%"> After day 10,March 2004, Juryo division scores are: Wins Rikishi Shikona 10 0 - 9 0 - 8 2 Hayateumi, Kasugao 7 2 Takanowaka, Hakuho 6 7 Otsukasa, Tamakasuga, Kobo, Kaido, Kitazakura,Tokitenku, Bushuyama 5 6 Wakatoba, Gojoro, Takanotsuru, Sumanofuji,Dewanofuji, Ama 4 5 Oikari, Tamarikido, Hamanishiki, Daimanazuru,Wakakosho 3 3 Roho, Juzan, Ichinotani 2 1 Masutsuyoshi 1 0 - 0 0 - <

I would be interested to know when there was last a situation with 4 rikishi on 9-0. cellpadding="3"> After day 9,March 2004, Makuuchi division scores are: Wins Rikishi Shikona 9 4 Asashoryu, Chiyotaikai, Kaio, Asasekiryu 8 0 - 7 3 Musoyama, Hokutoriki, Kokkai 6 4 Takamisakari, Buyuzan, Kotoryu, Kotonowaka 5 8 Miyabiyama, Dejima, Kyokutenho, Tochisakae,Takekaze, Toki, Harunoyama, Kaiho 4 8 Wakanosato, Kakizoe, Tochinonada, Tamanoshima,Tokitsuumi, Iwakiyama, Ushiomaru, Yotsukasa 3 6 Kotomitsuki, Shimotori, Kinkaiyama,Kasuganishiki, Asanowaka, Toyozakura 2 5 Kyokushuzan, Aminishiki, Takanonami,Chiyotenzan, Futeno 1 3 Tosanoumi, Jumonji, Wakanoyama 0 0 - cellpadding="3"> After day 9,March 2004, Juryo division scores are: Wins Rikishi Shikona 9 0 - 8 0 - 7 3 Hayateumi, Takanowaka, Kasugao 6 4 Kobo, Kitazakura, Towanoyama, Hakuho 5 9 Otsukasa, Tamakasuga, Wakatoba, Kaido, Gojoro,Takanotsuru, Tokitenku, Dewanofuji, Bushuyama 4 4 Tamarikido, Hamanishiki, Sumanofuji, Ama 3 5 Oikari, Juzan, Daimanazuru, Wakakosho,Ichinotani 2 2 Roho, Masutsuyoshi 1 0 - 0 0 - <

When I was taught Japanese, we used a system of Romanization known as 'modified Hepburn'. (There are other systems in use also) I suspect the oo, ou, oh, o with macron all arise in different systems. It is surprising to see them mixed up though. Also surprising to see the Kyokai apparently using none of them - Kaio should have some indication of a long o but does not.

border="1"> After day 8,March 2004, Makuuchi division scores are: Wins Rikishi Shikona 8 4 Asashoryu, Chiyotaikai, Kaio, Asasekiryu 7 1 Kokkai 6 4 Musoyama, Hokutoriki, Buyuzan, Kotoryu 5 2 Takamisakari, Kotonowaka 4 13 Wakanosato, Miyabiyama, Dejima, Kyokutenho,Tochinonada, Tokitsuumi, Iwakiyama, Tochisakae, Takekaze, Toki, Harunoyama, Kaiho, Yotsukasa 3 7 Kakizoe, Shimotori, Tamanoshima, Kinkaiyama,Kasuganishiki, Asanowaka, Ushiomaru 2 7 Kotomitsuki, Kyokushuzan, Aminishiki,Takanonami, Chiyotenzan, Futeno, Toyozakura 1 3 Tosanoumi, Jumonji, Wakanoyama 0 0 - border="1"> After day 8,March 2004, Juryo division scores are: Wins Rikishi Shikona 8 0 - 7 1 Kasugao 6 3 Hayateumi, Takanowaka, Hakuho 5 8 Otsukasa, Tamakasuga, Kobo, Wakatoba,Kitazakura, Towanoyama, Takanotsuru, Dewanofuji 4 6 Kaido, Gojoro, Sumanofuji, Tokitenku, Ama,Bushuyama 3 5 Oikari, Tamarikido, Hamanishiki, Daimanazuru,Ichinotani 2 4 Roho, Juzan, Masutsuyoshi, Wakakosho 1 0 - 0 0 - <

Thanks guys. I don't know how that happened. Must be a bug, but I can't reproduce it. (In a state of confusion...) The scores come out right now if I try again. I am glad you noticed though. I will have to be more alert.

This was sometimes done for the man on the top of the banzuke to indicate that he was streets ahead of the next man. (I will try and find a reference) Odd really for two reasons: - because later, a haridashi entry usually indicated that someone was a bit lower than you would expect from his level in the banzuke - because he is yokozuna anyway and you would expect him to be the best. Edit: If you look at the May 1924 Banzuke you will see that Yokozuna Tochigiyama is written in haridashi form and the rubric says "In this case, Tochigiyama's haridashi status is meaning he is a yokozuna who is much more excellent than the other Yokozunas." There are quite a few examples of this.

Apologies for the late posting. I was away from my PC this morning. cellpadding="3"> After day 7,March 2004, Makuuchi division scores are: Wins Rikishi Shikona 7 4 Asashoryu, Chiyotaikai, Kaio, Asasekiryu 6 3 Musoyama, Kokkai, Kotoryu 5 4 Hokutoriki, Takamisakari, Buyuzan, Kotonowaka 4 5 Wakanosato, Tochinonada, Tochisakae, Takekaze,Yotsukasa 3 13 Kakizoe, Miyabiyama, Dejima, Kyokutenho,Tamanoshima, Tokitsuumi, Iwakiyama, Kinkaiyama, Kasuganishiki, Toki, Harunoyama, Ushiomaru, Kaiho 2 6 Shimotori, Kyokushuzan, Aminishiki, Asanowaka,Chiyotenzan, Futeno 1 6 Kotomitsuki, Tosanoumi, Jumonji, Takanonami,Toyozakura, Wakanoyama 0 0 - cellpadding="3"> After day 7,March 2004, Juryo division scores are: Wins Rikishi Shikona 7 1 Kasugao 6 0 - 5 6 Otsukasa, Hayateumi, Wakatoba, Takanowaka,Kitazakura, Hakuho 4 8 Tamakasuga, Kobo, Towanoyama, Takanotsuru,Sumanofuji, Dewanofuji, Ama, Bushuyama 3 6 Oikari, Kaido, Gojoro, Tokitenku, Daimanazuru,Ichinotani 2 5 Roho, Tamarikido, Hamanishiki, Masutsuyoshi,Wakakosho 1 1 Juzan 0 0 - <

cellspacing="0"> After day 6,March 2004, Makuuchi division scores are: Wins Rikishi Shikona 6 4 Asashoryu, Chiyotaikai, Kaio, Asasekiryu 5 3 Musoyama, Kokkai, Kotoryu 4 7 Wakanosato, Hokutoriki, Tochisakae,Takamisakari, Buyuzan, Takekaze, Kotonowaka 3 10 Kyokutenho, Tochinonada, Tamanoshima,Tokitsuumi, Kinkaiyama, Kasuganishiki, Toki, Harunoyama, Kaiho, Yotsukasa 2 10 Kakizoe, Shimotori, Miyabiyama, Kyokushuzan,Dejima, Aminishiki, Iwakiyama, Asanowaka, Ushiomaru, Futeno 1 6 Kotomitsuki, Tosanoumi, Jumonji, Chiyotenzan,Toyozakura, Wakanoyama 0 1 Takanonami cellspacing="0"> After day 6,March 2004, Juryo division scores are: Wins Rikishi Shikona 6 1 Kasugao 5 1 Kitazakura 4 8 Otsukasa, Hayateumi, Wakatoba, Takanowaka,Hakuho, Sumanofuji, Dewanofuji, Ama 3 10 Oikari, Tamakasuga, Kobo, Kaido, Gojoro,Towanoyama, Takanotsuru, Tokitenku, Bushuyama, Ichinotani 2 3 Tamarikido, Daimanazuru, Masutsuyoshi 1 4 Roho, Juzan, Hamanishiki, Wakakosho 0 0 - <

It seems to me that he began at that time to go for a mawashi grip (morozashi more often as time went on) early in the bout. It took a while for him to become as proficient at belt sumo as he had been at the tsuppari, but he seems to have figured it out now. (Cloverleaf...)

Hmmm. Not sure what to do now! (Cloverleaf...)

Actually I have had a go at it, but due to my inexperience (I have never translated anything since school) it has come out in rather stilted Frenglish. If anyone is willing to look it over and suggest improvements, I imagine it is not far off. I am a huge fan of Le Monde du Sumo and I am glad it is getting such well-deserved good publicity. (Cloverleaf...)

Well spotted! This is good news.