Breaking News - Police to Charge Tokitsukaze oyakata

[Sasanishiki 57]

Except 2001-06, smarty. (Holiday feeling...)

Not the mention the first 47 FA cup finals which weren't at Wembley.

This doesn't stop it being a tradition, however. Many traditions are "invented" (see Terrance Ranger on this), in that they are often begun and then take hold so that after a while no one considers that it was done any other way. Much of the tradition around the Japanese royal family is invented tradition (there is an excellent book by Takashi Fujitani on this in English) and some of the traditions we hold dear in sumo have come in over the last century (Lee Thompson's work on the modernisation of sumo gives examples, and Kenji Tierney's research also touched on this). I can elaborate at another time if people wish.

[Sasanishiki 57]

Of course I use the god-like bit myself when back in Ireland and chatting someone up. In my version even part-time amateur rikishi have such status. (Holiday feeling...)

Your "cousins" are so gullible.

[Otokonoyama 2,735]

Ex Tokitsukaze oyakata admits tying up Tokitaizan and to 10 swings with the ol' beer bottle...

http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/national/20080226TDY02306.htm

[Kintamayama 47,291]

The Kyokai will be punishing the three Tokitsukaze active rikishi regarding the death of their new peer. Kitanoumi had promised a few weeks ago that if they were arrested, the Kyokai will have to act against them. "If they will be prosecuted, the rijikai must deal with it. The fact that a rikishi has died has to be taken seriously", he said back on the seventh. They probably will hand down the same sentence they gave ex-Tokitsukaze, i.e., kicking them out of Sumo.

This, after they "froze" their rank on the banzuke for the coming basho. Wondrous ways.

Edited February 28, 2008 by Kintamayama

[Kintamayama 47,291]

Breaking news-7 people will be prosecuted in the Tokitsukaze case. The ex-Oyakata, the three active rikishi originally implicated, two more active rikishi (one with Juryo experience. When asked who it was, Tokitsuumi said he didn't know..), and a retired rikishi. Kitanoumi rijicho, the man standing at the top of the Sumo pyramid, is now in the eye of the media storm. He was busy at a private function today, instead of participating in a press conference apologizing to the bereaved family and indicating what the Kyokai intends to do with the accused. He did unofficially state yesterday they will be punished, but all the Kyokai actually did today was send out a message from its PR office saying they will be watching the police investigation closely and will act accordingly. No apology to the family, no concrete punishment or intentions.

The fact that the rijicho couldn't find time to react to the announcement may be seen as if he is running away from his responsibilities. All the major papers are on the rijicho's case on this matter.

Tokitsukaze Oyakata, OTOH, did hold a press conference. "we will take this investigation very seriously", he said. Asked if he will force the three rikishi to retire, he answered that he won't. "I'd like to act in accordance to the Kyokai's decision", was the explanation. Asked if the active rikishi who are under investigation will appear for Haru, he answered that he didn't know at present.

[Asashosakari 20,272]

Breaking news-7 people will be prosecuted in the Tokitsukaze case. The ex-Oyakata, the three active rikishi originally implicated, two more active rikishi (one with Juryo experience. When asked who it was, Tokitsuumi said he didn't know..), and a retired rikishi.

The retired rikishi is reported to be 27 years old, while the two active ones are 27 and 28. Usual inappropriate speculation to follow: The retiree is pretty obviously Tokinoumi, who first admitted to participating in the whole thing with a baseball bat. (I'd been wondering why he never came up for possible prosecution, until now...) The only 28-year old in the stable is Toyonokuni, who's also the only one with juryo experience. The 27-year old must be either Toyohikari or Kisomitsuru...

[kame 0]

ah. i always knew tokitsuumi was rock solid. he's already been doing good things in tokitsukaze beya, lending his chest to tosayutaka and apologizing several times more than anyone else it seems... he seemed reluctant to take the oyakata job initially, and with good reason, he still had a career as an active rikishi. still, he's tackled this whole affair with class. kudos to him. as for his former tutor... meh, nm.

[Kintamayama 47,291]

The rijikai will convene on March 6th to decide the punishment for the three rikishi accused in the Tokitsukaze affair. It is increasingly looking like they will be removed from the Sumo world.

Edited March 1, 2008 by Kintamayama

[sekitori 492]

The Kyokai will be punishing the three Tokitsukaze active rikishi regarding the death of their new peer. Kitanoumi had promised a few weeks ago that if they were arrested, the Kyokai will have to act against them. "If they will be prosecuted, the rijikai must deal with it. The fact that a rikishi has died has to be taken seriously", he said back on the seventh. They probably will hand down the same sentence they gave ex-Tokitsukaze, i.e., kicking them out of Sumo.

I would think that would be appropriate punishment if they are found guilty. But as of now, they have only been accused of a crime, not convicted of it. Suppose that that some of those involved are acquitted. That doesn't appear to be very likely, but it's possible. They would then have been kicked out of Sumo for a crime for which they were judged not guilty. I believe it would have been much wiser if Kitanoumi said, "If they will be CONVICTED, the rijikai must deal with it." I guess the Kyokai must feel that the word "prosecution" means the same thing as the word "guilt". In at least some instances, it doesn't. :-)

[Sasanishiki 57]

Yes, Japanese police work on confessions and then the legal system has a guilty plea - fewer lengthy trials for criminal acts. Litigation, however, lasts a long time.

[Otokonoyama 2,735]

Bail denied for former Tokitsukaze oyakata.

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/national/news/20080...0sp006000c.html

[James H 0]

EXTRA EXTRA

As well as deciding whether to expel the three rikishi, today's rijikai also will discuss closing down Tokitsukaze beya, a source close to Nikkan Sports told me.

There apparently are some who think the name should be gotten rid of, although what they would do about the kabu and Tokitsuumi's status is unclear.

Edited March 6, 2008 by James H

[Kintamayama 47,291]

They decided not to decide. The rikishi will be suspended indefinitely pending the trial. If they are found guilty, they will be dismissed. Some of the riji were of the view that a deshi cannot go against his shisho's will, so the ex-shisho was solely to blame.

Edited March 6, 2008 by Kintamayama

[James H 0]

They decided not to decide. The rikishi will be suspended indefinitely pending the trial. If they are found guilty, they will be dismissed. Some of the riji were of the view that a deshi cannot go against his shisho's will, so the ex-shisho was solely to blame.

Apparently the stable is safe too - talk about talk that turned to nothing. Like Kinta says - suspensions for now.

[Kintamayama 47,291]

A year has passed since the Tokitsukaze beya death of 17 year old Tokitaizan. A memorial service was held at the stable. "I will do my utmost that such a thing will never happen again. There are still many unresolved issues, but I will try to lead the best I can", said Tokitsukaze Oyakata. "Time has stopped for me ever since the former Oyakata called me and told me my son was dead. It may be heartbreaking, but the truth must be sought out. I'm pretty sure there are many other incidents that are unknown to the public and if these stories don't come to light and changes made, it would all have been for nothing", said the boy's father.

The prosecutor is calling it "Lynch in the name of keiko".

[Guest Takamichinoku]

Hello do everyone think it was REVENGE or just plan STUPIDITY............

Whatever the case maybe it was wrong do that to someone.

how could you hit someone, exspecially with a beer-bottle at that.

So many palces i wish i could be to stop crime.........Cause i suerly would have prevented Tokitsukaze death.

I feel bad why should I feel bad beacuse he didn't finish his life in career. :-( I feel horriable.........

Cause i wish i could have been thier around three time it happened.

But some things I must understand.........Im not God and i only have 2 hands in legs.

(Weeping...) I guess surely all good things must come to an end somehow.

{QUOTE} I now know i cannot excape death (Being thrown tomatoes at...)

[Kintamayama 47,291]

Memorial ceremony on the Nagoya lodgings dohyo:

[Kintamayama 47,291]

The Kyokai promised to file a full report of their findings concerning the death of Tokitaizan to the Ministry of Edusporcultur by June 26th. They didn't. Now they are mentioning sometime in August as the new deadline.

[Kintamayama 47,291]

The three ani-deshi accused of causing a rikishi's death will have their first hearing on October the 7th.