Coo-cook

A Mongolian online tabloid sonin.mn is bringing rumors that the guy in the car deliberately provoking Asa calling him a Chinese. I can understand how insulting it would be for a Mongolian specially if he is drunk. Also Mongolian rikishi didn't go to Sokokurai's party hearing that there will be Chinese embassy personel present, ...another rumor. Sadly, that's the world in Asia.

Seems very clear to me, Kintamayama. By the way, is there any big difference between fan and fanaticism?...probably not. (In either case you are not clear headed, he-he.)

Can you elaborate bit more, because his brother in after-intai press conference in Mongolia was talking about a "group of people" who succeeded this time in bringing Asashoryu down. He was literally addressing them saying they know who I am talking about. . We will never know the truth. Still if Asa got provoked deliberately it's his fault reacting to it and allowing it. I heard Japanese commentators complaining that Toyota's good name is ruined deliberately by Americans to give American car makers unjust advantage. Sounds familiar huh ?

Yeah, yeah Asa as president ........after he finishes his Harvard School of Sumo (like kyokushuzan with his Waseda Sumo diploma)...........nice, Jonosuke-san. A herdsmen in the steppe and a guy in deep Canadian woods would think (and vote) same way, I guess.

Very true. And sadly Asa is one of the fighting drunks. I heard rumors that Asa may follow politics in Mongolia...and my concern is we might have another fighting drunk in our parlament. Otherwise, he has a good heart and very supportive to all sorts of charity and sports in Mongolia. Wish him a good luck.

Dear Kame, I just see maybe only 1-2 Mongolians posting on Asa matter right now. Why you say (many) Mongolians...... mourning ..etc ? Your assumption that (many) Mongolians would be totally blind behind Asa and ignore all his off dohyo theaters is wrong. The "emotions" in Mongolia are as diverse as this forum here.Trust me.

Enhetubuxin is not even remotely close to being a Chinese name. It's what happens when you write a Mongolian name in Chinese characters. Real Chinese names have only three characters. The actual pronunciation would be something like 'Enkhwat-khushin' but I forget how this is usually written in a transcript from the Mongolian characters -- which are a modified form of Russian. Orion Sokokurai's name is Enkhtuvshin- means peaceful and calm in Mongolian and very common name in both Mongolian lands. (Enkh- peaceful,...tuvshin- calm)

Yaku is a cartoonist--an artist. As such, he is dressed as an artist would in Japan. Osamu Tezuka, known as the "Father of Anime," was never without his beret. Caricatures of him would always be identifiable because of the hat. I don't remember ever seeing a picture of Akira Kurosawa, the renowned movie director, without a hat. Exactly my point. A liberal (and not a traditionalist) like any other artists around the world.

Judging from the picture, Yaku Mitsuru seems to be very casual guy (without a tie and with a hat at a very serious committee meeting)....in other words, not bound to protocols and customs necessarily.

Hey, hey, Somebody (probably one of website managers or, somebody who has access to regitry) is using my sumoforum account and posted above sentence. (Seems a very harmful sentence...but, what if that person start harassing forum members using my account to discredit me ?) Stop that dumb joke, please.....It's a very rude violation of privacy. Please, moderators....can somebody find out who did this ?

Hey, hey, Somebody (probably one of website managers or, somebody who has access to regitry) is using my sumoforum account and posted above sentence. (Seems a very harmful sentence...but, what if that person start harassing forum members using my account to discredit me ?) Stop that dumb joke, please.....It's a very rude violation of privacy. Please, moderators....can somebody find out who did this ? Please, correct "harmful" to "harmless" on above post. As an English learner and computer newbie I miss "edit" and "delete" options after sending your posts. We used to have these options. Where are they?

I wonder whether that hit by zabuton had anything to do with the 'pose'.

He-he. Thanks Kuroyama. You really made thinks simple as black and white for me. Probably Mongols would complain about Eagle Dance thing ...but, we probably want complain when that same foreign born champion would play charity soccer game for kids in his home country (for few minutes). That's a difference here. Well, the question I'm trying to ask here was.... whether all these complains of Asa's behavior is pure sumo-do matter or behind it hides very simple grudge of Japanese seeing two foreigners (and specifically Asians) dominating their sport at moment. I think, Japanese never experienced Japanese Yokozuna-less period in their whole history until now. Must be very frustrating time for them. You can feel the frustration even from Jonosuke's (who usually let me believe that he's well balanced and fair with his posting) TV rating discussion here. Hope, Japanese Yokozuna will calm the situation and balance things.

Don't know why you Mongolian guys take it so personally when Asashoryu is criticised. It's not like there is any debate about whether what he does is ok. It's not. He knows the rules manners, customs and expectations of being a yokozuna. He knows that sumo is Japans "kokugi" and represents more than just sport. Yet despite understanding all the above he breaks the rules, codes, and traditions at will. It's never been about his ability on the dohyo or his nationality or anything else. If I were to go to Mongolia and disrepect Genghis Khan I doubt I'd find much sympathy. Imagine someone from another country becoming a champion in Mongolian wrestling and then refusing to follow the etiquitte. Do you think they would be allowed to get away with it as long as Asashoryu has in Japan? Then again foreigners aren't allowed to enter the big tournaments so that problem doesn't arise. That fact always makes accusations of racism from Mongolian members hypocritical to me. Sumo is the least prejudiced area of Japan in my experience. Asashoryus behaviour on and off the dohyo has been tolerated beyond all reasonable expectation for years. Coo-Cook you need to take off the reactionary nationalist blinkers, open your eyes and see that your countrymen are making a very good living in someone elses land, and that 99% of them have the maturity and good sense to realise that they are guests here as well as representives of their own people. Those rikishi like Hakuho understand what it means to be a yokozuna. They have respect for the country that has given them their opportunity and their actions and words mean that that respect is returned and that their hosts get a positive image of people from Mongolia. I'm sure that Asashoryu is a proud Mongolian as well but his words and actions over the last 6 years since he became yokozuna have done far more harm than good to the image of foreigners in general and Mongolians in particular. You should be grateful for rikishi like Kyokutenho and Hakuho. Because of them people here understand that Asashoryus way of speaking and acting is a personality rather than a national trait. People like Jonosuke understood what it meant to be a yokozuna before virtually anyone on this forum had ever even heard of the word sumo. Next time he writes something like he did above you'd do a lot better if you tried reading and understanding rather than posting some knee-jerk reaction. Nishinoshima, Wait a minute. Why I should be grateful for Hakuho and Kyokutenho? Because they follow Japanese traditions, or they are competing in sumo ...for what? Or, are you implying their contributions for increasing bilateral relationships, political bonds between two countries ..etc ? .He-he. I admit I like watching sumo and I'm happy some Mongolians doing good there. But, being grateful ? Of course, I can imagine many Japanese might be grateful ( or, like to see) some Mongolians following Japanese traditions and so on. (Hmm, it seems you're a bit too serious sumo fan, my friend. Good for you, Nishi.) Jonosuke, What I wanna say to you with my previous posting was ...please, take it easy. I don't think Asa is that harmful to Japanese tradition and society as you think. Even you Japanese seem not that serious about your "old" traditions any more . ( That's same in my country too). Many Japanese don't follow sumo....even I dare to say that their knowledge of sumo is sometimes worst than ordinary Mongolian. But, as I said in my previous post that Japan's traditions are safe because of people like you, Yakuru and Uchidate...many many others, maybe including some Mongolians. So don't worry, be happy .

Some Japanese Yokozuna becoming Mongolian President ?...God bless. And, Mr. Hinahata as Mongolian Minister for Barber(y). He-he.

Wow. What an amazing culture and custom......(You must be going through hell witnessing these bloody Mongolians (and some other gaijins) ruining your fine culture and traditions and causing all kinds of trouble. Sorry for that.) Well, on the bright side ....not everything is ruined I hope. You have strong defenders of your culture including cartoonists, writers, oyokatas, rikishis and ordinary volks of Japan who all follow their traditions by book.....Even in this small forum we have you, Jonosuke-san, Mark Buckton and others. So, Japan should be pretty safe, me think. By the way, I like your comments and everyday Rikishi talks you posting. Thank you very much.

He-he. Maybe we should change some paragraphs of our constitution so that Mongolian president can compete in sumo while being in office.

You mean fake Beckham or, a soccer star?

Though it's not official yet, the electorate numbers suggest that Kyokushuzan is elected as a MP in the Mongolian parlament from the Democratic Party. The sly fox succeeded to brainwash few voters in poor neighborhoods of Ulaanbaatar, it seems. Well, one of his slogans and battle cries was "strenghtening the Mongolian-Japanese relations" . Good luck for him.

Some fantastic action shots by a Mongolian sumo fan (Mr. Narantsogt) in LA. http://picasaweb.google.com/Naranzogt/Gran...442389103746562

Asashoryu is actually Kintaoumi reincarnate. But in case the above, Wajima left and you know Kitanoumi is still around. But in case of the Asashoryu/Hakuho, Asashoryu leaves and Hakuho will be the Rijicho 30 or so years from now. And Asashoryu will be the president of Mongolia. Medetashi, medetashi. Ha-ha. So, you think that Mongolians would be stupid enough to make Asa the president. Nice. Of course, there are lots of stupid Mongolians who may vote Asa for MP. (Kyokushuzan is running for a MP seat from Mongolian Democratic Party, I heard.Very laughable but true.(I fear he may get elected. Another wrestler or athlete who has no clue about politics )). I know you are jocking or being a bit sarcastic about Hakuho being a Rijicho. But, it's interesting how the Japanese attitude will change by then, really(Though, the Japanese are more accepting compared to ...for example us, Mongolians). (Kotooshu being a Rijicho sounds more realistic and more fitting to Japanese souls.)

Well, at least Kotooshu has a proper behavior compared to current yokozunas who are acting way too "extraordinary" sometimes. But, in post-basho interview I was expecting him to say that in next basho he would aim for yokozuna title. Instead he said "he will try his best". Was he too modest and humble ? Or, is it what the "protocols" dictate him to say?

Finally.

I think it's OK to do a henka when you are in a "mentally desperate" situation (Hakuho did it too when he was desperate for yusho). A good lesson and own medicine for Hakuho. I agree it shouldn't be your constant companion though except for smaller rikishis like Ama,Takekaze... who else. Smaller rikishis do it to compensate their physical disadvantage and it's always acceptable for me.