Godaiko

It was an exciting game; Japan surged to a late lead for the victory led by Hachimura’s 31 points. The Yokozunae disappeared at halftime and returned for the second half; I wonder if they gave the fellows a pep talk?

Hakuhō and Kakuryū were special guests at today’s Japan versus Germany game at the Saitama Super Arena. Kakuryū nailed a three on his second attempt. Hakuhō need a few more tries to sink his free throw.

It was played at the undokai at my son’s school, so I am supposing it is used for a variety of celebratory sports occasions in Japan. Handel’s original has a nice, high horn duet after the first vocal statement: I have several friends in the koku jieitai central band, and it’s nice to hear them when it is that group’s turn to play (I could be misrembering, but I believe the honor, in the Tokyo basho, rotates between the Tokyo based bands of the three self defense force branches).

The Kyokai ‘Grand Sumo’ app still says ‘to be announced.’

He’s getting better and better, to my eye, but I really enjoyed Satonofuji’s style. One of my favorite ‘Kokugikan moments’ was happening to run across him (Satonofuji, I mean) while leaving. He seemed a bit surprised that a foreigner knew his name (well, shikona) and was kind enough to allow me to take a photo with him. I still make a point to check on his results (3-2, as of today, at Jonidan #77).

All that (i.e. both posts) seems pretty far afield from the original idea of there being something unseemly about making fun of the looks of an elderly woman (or man); also not that it matters, but I believe she wasn’t even a teenager when WWII ended (or a member of the Imperial family at that time)...

I usually eat at the monjyayaki place at Edonoren in between the Kokugikan and the JR station when I am able to attend (which, happily for me, happens to be tomorrow!).

Ikioi is my son’s favorite (he will even pause from playing with his Ultramen when Ikioi is on the TV; even Hakuho is usually only graced with partial attention), thus the concern in our home is great.

That's it for me; Tochinoshin is one of my favorite rikishi and I was looking forward to a great match.

My whole family was pretty annoyed* by that bout; my son, in that way five year olds sometimes do, picked up on mom and dad's mood and announced "I think that Goeido guy is my enemy." *Our mood matched the look on Tochinoshin's face.

Tochinoshin came through again.

It is available in an English translation! This book and Sharnoff's 'Grand Sumo,' along with the forum, were my 'gateways.'

I enjoyed that book very much, there is also a passage were the author admits even he doesn't know why they use fans. I quite enjoy going to the early matches; as much to hear some of the younger yobidashi, several of whom have really powerful and beautiful announcing styles, as to see the 'up and comers.'

Breaking on TV and the papers: https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20180104_24/ "Councilors of the Japan Sumo Association have demoted stablemaster Takanohana from the post of director over his handling of an assault scandal.In October, Yokozuna Grand Champion Harumafuji hit and injured a fellow Mongolian wrestler, Takanoiwa, during a night out drinking. Harumafuji retired from sumo the following month.The board of directors of the association last week unanimously decided to recommend that Takanoiwa's stablemaster, Takanohana, be removed from his post as a director of the association.The board cited Takanohana's repeated failure to cooperate with its internal investigation, despite reporting the assault to police.An extraordinary meeting of the association's key decision-making body on Thursday unanimously agreed to remove Takanohana as director and demote him.The chair of the council, former senior vice education minister Yasuko Ikenobo, told reporters that Takanohana had failed to report on the assault to the association and refused to cooperate with its internal investigation.She said Takanohana's actions are unacceptable as a director of a public-interest corporation and that he neglected his duties.It was the first time that a director of the association has been removed.Ikenobo said Takanohana reportedly expressed his acceptance of the dismissal."

I was a little surprised that there was no monoii after the Ikoi-Ishiura bout.