Breaking News - Police to Charge Tokitsukaze oyakata

[Asojima 2,874]

Who, do you suppose, will make the final cut on Tokitsuumi's mage during the danpatsu?? :-)

Interesting dilemma. My guess is Isenoumi, highest ranking oyakata in the ichimon.

Why not ex-Yutakayama? I bet Tokitsuumi has continued to consider him his shisho, despite the Futatsuryu interregnum, and he's certainly high-profile enough as a moto-rijicho.

Think Yutakayama is a better guess. If I remember correctly, moto-Kotozakura did the honors for Kotonowaka, so the final cut does not have to be made by an active member of the NSK.

[Otokonoyama 2,735]

http://www.japantoday.com/jp/news/419883

New stablemaster apologizes to family of dead wrestler

Wednesday, October 10, 2007 at 12:12 EDT

TOKYO

[ryafuji 825]

In many respects he was better than those one-shot Komusubi who attained the rank through banzuke luck.

Such as Futatsuryu, for example!

[Sasanishiki 57]

From Jiji Press:

12th October

Kitanoumi Rijicho to visit the deceased's family -- Apologies over the death

It was decided on the 11th that Kitanoumi Rijicho would visit the Saito family in Niigata on the 12th over the death of their son, jonokuchi rikishi Tokitaizan from Tokitsukaze-beya. Isenoumi (former sekiwake Fujinokawa), a director of the Kyokai from Tokitsukaze Ichimon, will also travel with him. More than three months after the incident, the head of the ozumo world will finally express his condolences directly to the bereaved family.

On the 4th Shikoroyama oyakata (former sekiwake Terao) and Tatsutayama oyakata (former maegashira Sasshunada), and on the 10th the new Tokitsukaze oyakata (former maegashira Tokitsuumi) visited the Saito family home to apologise to the family.

[Otokonoyama 2,735]

The rijicho's visit was televised on the lunchtime news.

[Otokonoyama 2,735]

http://www.japantoday.com/jp/news/419962

JSA head Kitanoumi apologizes to family of dead wrestler

Friday, October 12, 2007 at 16:03 EDT

NIIGATA

[Shomishuu 0]

"I have said sorry to the parents for the deep sadness this has caused and prayed from the bottom of my heart that he (Tokitaizan) rests in peace," Kitanoumi told reporters. "I want to make sure this kind of thing never happens again," he said, adding the family had accepted his apology.

My wife and I just watched Fuji TV's coverage of the Rijicho's visit. Looks like the family has a different view from the Rijicho's because, according to her take on it, the family was NOT satisfied with his answers...too little too late, etc. Also, the Rijicho seemed unwilling to answer much, citing the ongoing police investigation.

[Sasanishiki 57]

My wife and I just watched Fuji TV's coverage of the Rijicho's visit. Looks like the family has a different view from the Rijicho's because, according to her take on it, the family was NOT satisfied with his answers...too little too late, etc. Also, the Rijicho seemed unwilling to answer much, citing the ongoing police investigation.

The following is from Daily Sports this morning (via Yahoo! Japan) [Apologies for the lack of understanding of idiomatic Japanese that will surely show]

"Family displeased by Kitanoumi Rijicho's apology"

Kitanoumi Rijicho visited the family of deceased rikishi Tokitaizan (Saito Takashi, 17) in Niigata city on the 12th to apologise to the Saito family. He spent 65 minutes explaining the circumstances, but one member of the bereaved family was frank in his discomfort, and it was clear that there is a bad taste remaining for both sides.

The family response to the visit from the Rijicho after all this time was indifferent. "It seems too little too late" spat one of the relatives. One cause for the suspicion was the delay of the Rijicho's visit, coming after the visit of the new Tokitsukaze oyakata (former Tokitsuumi) on the 10th, only a day after he took over running the heya.

The Rijicho arrived at 11.25am and greeted Tokitaizan's father, Masato, by saying "Excuse me for visiting unexpectedly". He entered the house with Isenoumi oyakata, who was representing the Tokitsukaze ichimon. The Rijicho apologised and explained the circumstances to both of Takashi's parents and a male relative. It was said the mother did nothing but shed tears throughout.

The visit took 65 mins. This was exceptionally long compared to the five minute visit by the new Tokitsukaze oyakata. It is believed that the family repeatedly asked for the truth about the violent death but the aforementioned relative frankly expressed his displeasure "He kept saying there was a police investigation so there was no clear answer. He also didn't disclose what he had heard from the deshi."

It is three and a half months since Takashi's death. The delay in visiting until today was "because there is an ongoing investigation" (Kitanoumi Rijicho), and the divide between the Kyokai and the family has been etched. "It is natural that there is a difference in degrees of interest or commitment. What had to be said has been said" replied Kitanoumi Rijicho. Hereafter the sincerity will be shown by the nature of the inquiry.

[ilovesumo 12]

The delay was.................

cause of the hope the whole story would be kept under the carpet?

[Jonosuke 28]

A couple of latest reports:

1. The Aichi Prefectural Police now admitted that they had made an error not investigating the death of Tokitaizan initially. They returned the body to Tokitsukaze beya camp after receiving a medical report from the heya saying the cause of death to be a heart failure. The family of Tokitaizan asked for the body to be brought back to them and they contacted the Niigata Police where they lived after the seeing the body. The Niigata Police then asked for an offical autopsy to be conducted at the University of Niigata Medical School where the cause of death was changed to a death due to a trauma resulting from severe external injuries. The Aichi Police is currently continuing their investigation and considering charging the former Tokitsukaze oyakata and other heya members.

2. It appears that the family of Tokitaizan was not exactly happy with the "official" Kyokai response they received when Kitanoumi oyakata visited them last week. The Weekly Shukan Gendai has obtained a post mortem picture of Tokitaizan and is publishing in this week's issue. Those who have seen it say that one look will tell you he did not die from a heart failure as the body shows bruises from muliple blows including a severe gush on his forehead.

[Fukurou 534]

A couple of latest reports:

1. The Aichi Prefectural Police now admitted that they had made an error not investigating the death of Tokitaizan initially. They returned the body to Tokitsukaze beya camp after receiving a medical report from the heya saying the cause of death to be a heart failure. The family of Tokitaizan asked for the body to be brought back to them and they contacted the Niigata Police where they lived after the seeing the body. The Niigata Police then asked for an offical autopsy to be conducted at the University of Niigata Medical School where the cause of death was changed to a death due to a trauma resulting from severe external injuries. The Aichi Police is currently continuing their investigation and considering charging the former Tokitsukaze oyakata and other heya members.

Since when does any legitimate police organization accept a cause of death from the people involved where the death took place? My RL work involves death investigations, and we only accept anything like that directly from the coroner/medical examiner (no 3rd party go-between allowed)

2. It appears that the family of Tokitaizan was not exactly happy with the "official" Kyokai response they received when Kitanoumi oyakata visited them last week. The Weekly Shukan Gendai has obtained a post mortem picture of Tokitaizan and is publishing in this week's issue. Those who have seen it say that one look will tell you he did not die from a heart failure as the body shows bruises from muliple blows including a severe gush on his forehead.

I have to wonder if any Aichi Prefectural Police investigator bothered to look at the body, even through photographs. I have to wonder if someone at the APP is in the pocket of someone supremely interested in covering this whole thing up. I have to wonder when Kitanoumi is going to be the next shoved out the door in the name of "taking responsibility."

Edited October 14, 2007 by Fukurou

[Kotonosato 1]

I have to wonder if any Aichi Prefectural Police investigator bothered to look at the body, even through photographs. I have to wonder if someone at the APP is in the pocket of someone supremely interested in covering this whole thing up.

I wouldn't jump to the conspiracy theory just yet. I think laziness and incompetence are still the safest bet. I think the cops here may be less likely to raise a finger because they are less likely to be sued in the end if something goes wrong. Legal repercussions may force them to do a better job in some other countries.

Anyway, here's a news flash: This one was exclusive to TBS. NHK didn't mention this at all:

TBS interviewed an old guy today who said he was at Tokitsukaze's stable in Inuyama the morning of Tokitaizan's death. He heard loud voices and went to see if keiko was happening. Instead, he got there to see three or four rikishi kicking him "like a soccer ball". Tokitsukaze was sitting there watching the whole thing. He also said that he had watched keiko earlier in the day and had wondered why Saito was the only one with bruises at the time.

Assuming that he's not just an old fellow in need of attention, his story contradicts a number of statements made by Tokitsukaze. Tokitsukaze had said that he was not present and didn't sanction the beating Saito received from the other deshi. Anyway, it will be interesting to see what the cops do with this "evidence".

[Stephanoshima 0]

Even The Economist picked up the story, even though the article offers nothing new and is more tabloid-style than one would expect from that newspaper.

Sumo wrestling

Heavy petting

Oct 11th 2007 | TOKYO

From The Economist print edition

A gruesome death hits Japan's already ailing national sport

http://economist.com/world/asia/displaysto...tory_id=9963190

[Shomishuu 0]

Even The Economist picked up the story, even though the article offers nothing new and is more tabloid-style than one would expect from that newspaper.

Perhaps this is an indication that the non-tabloid media is slowly buying into the idea that sumo must become more transparent if it is to survive. It's true that it offers nothing new to true sumo fans but it may be something new for it's own readership (I'm guessing here because I'm not familiar with the magazine).

Actually, except for the next-to-last paragraph, it's mostly a straight factual account, but 'unsavoury' and 'dared,' plus referring to another magazine's report to pile on the negatives isn't very impressive. And then it wasn't Musashigawa himself that was accused of assault.

Well, maybe it is sort of tabloidish, after all...

Edited October 20, 2007 by Shomishuu

[Guest haroda]

My 2 cents/yens worth opinion is there are to many sumo doomsayers here. this event and the asashoryu debacle is not or has not had any affect on sumo as a whole.it all seems to be blown out of proportion by the tabloids and main stream media. few people not directly involved care about what has been going on. I think more bitch about the yokozuna being what is is and doing what he did than about the kid dying.

it's over. move on to the future. it's to bad he got offed but sumo will continue and people will go watch it. It didn't seem to suffer at the last tournament and I watch it on TV and there were big audiances every day. I think it was better than it has been in years.

people get killed/die in every sport. It happens

Edited October 21, 2007 by haroda

[ilovesumo 12]

My 2 cents/yens worth opinion is there are to many sumo doomsayers here. this event and the asashoryu debacle is not or has not had any affect on sumo as a whole.

Sorry, but I have to say that it has...

people lost respect, people got scared, insiders feel ashamed, minestry got angry エトセトラ.

3 big scandals was too much.

To deny is like hoping it all would (Applauding...)

Edited October 21, 2007 by ilovesumo

[Kintamayama 47,291]

Sorry, but I have to say that it has...

people lost respect, people got scared, insiders feel ashamed, minestry got angry エトセトラ.

3 big scandals was too much.

To deny is like hoping it all would (Applauding...)

That may be, but the real question is-will it have any affect on the box office and on the sumo fans?

So far, it doesn't, going by media reports.

I will repeat what I already said-most of the groaning and moaning is being done by opportunists who have found a great opportunity to make their case (anti-foreign, anti-old school, humanists, women's lib, orthopedists etc..). The average sumo fan is dismayed with what's going on, but he won't turn off the TV or stop watching. The others never turned it on in the first place.

Edited October 21, 2007 by Kintamayama

[Kintamayama 47,291]

Tokitsukaze Oyakata at the heya with kids, part of the sweeping damage control?

[Bealzbob 0]

Definitely. Trying too hard ? Bit transparent no ?

[Kintamayama 47,291]

Missed this one a few weeks ago-some prankster put the bat and a beer bottle outside Tokitsukaze beya:

[Kintamayama 47,291]

Another picture just released:

[Kintamayama 47,291]

With their sensationalism banner ad, our friend Weekly Shukan Gendai came out with their 25th "Ozumo Scoop" this week by naming the three rikishi at Tokitsukaze beya calling them "perpetrators".

According to them, they are Tokitairyu, Soryuzan and Sokenzan.

Tokitairyu had 5-2 at Ms 29 so this may greatly impact his future.

Hey, maybe those gendai guys actually KNOW what they are talking about after all..

[Kintamayama 47,291]

LA Times on this:

http://tinyurl.com/2a6zh4

[Fay 1,677]

Here is a new article about the investigation of the death of Takashi Saito.

Asahi Shinbun

[Otokonoyama 2,735]

"We're just about to arrest him...honest!", Aichi Prefectural Police claim.

http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/national/20080126TDY01304.htm