Sumo articles by journalists who are Forum members/or not

[Gaijingai 614]

John Gunning on the K'Kan

https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2019/07/10/sumo/sumo-101-kokugikan/#.XSXg4uhKjcs

[Amamaniac 1,508]

Mr Gunning serves up a piece on teahouses:

https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2019/07/11/sumo/sumo-101-teahouses/#.XSc8my2B0xh

[Gaijingai 614]

John Gunning on Wakanohana - Tochinoshiki Rivalry

https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2019/07/12/sumo/sumo-101-wakanohana-tochinoshiki-rivalry/

 

[Jakusotsu 3,729]

First I thought it's a typo on Gaijingai's behalf (sorry, Jeff!), but then I suspected I got it wrong by myself all these years. And then again, checking back with the almighty Doitsubase, I have no clue why John consistently writes "Tochinoshiki" instead of Tochinishiki.

Edit: There are even video links to that famous yusho-deciding bout, and the commentator clearly says Tochinishiki. (only the lower one stil works)

Edited July 12, 2019 by Jakusotsu

[Kintamayama 33,895]

4 hours ago, Jakusotsu said:

Edit: There are even video links to that famous yusho-deciding bout, and the commentator clearly says Tochinishiki. (only the lower one stil works)

I was there in real time- It's Tochinishiki.

[Eikokurai 2,272]

17 hours ago, Jakusotsu said:

First I thought it's a typo on Gaijingai's behalf (sorry, Jeff!), but then I suspected I got it wrong by myself all these years. And then again, checking back with the almighty Doitsubase, I have no clue why John consistently writes "Tochinoshiki" instead of Tochinishiki.

Edit: There are even video links to that famous yusho-deciding bout, and the commentator clearly says Tochinishiki. (only the lower one stil works)

To be fair, that’s the sort of thing an editor should be fact-checking and correcting.

[Amamaniac 1,508]

Aside from serving as an NHK colour commentator on Day 7, Mr. Gunning explains how surprisingly easy it is for one (Japanese nationals anyway) to join sumo:

https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2019/07/13/sumo/sumo-101-joining-sumo/#.XSm4ly2B0xg

For another take on the subject (re apprentice examination), see https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/tv/sumo/sumopedia/ (Becoming a sumo wrestler)

Edited July 13, 2019 by Amamaniac

[Jakusotsu 3,729]

1 hour ago, Eikokurai said:

To be fair, that’s the sort of thing an editor should be fact-checking and correcting.

I would even suspect the editor "correcting" John's perfectly fine article. Wouldn't have been the first time.

[code_number3 402]

On 11/07/2019 at 20:42, Amamaniac said:

Mr Gunning serves up a piece on teahouses:

https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2019/07/11/sumo/sumo-101-teahouses/#.XSc8my2B0xh

Is chaya system similar to “season ticket holder” for honbasho?

Edited July 13, 2019 by code_number3

[Amamaniac 1,508]

1 hour ago, code_number3 said:

Is chaya system similar to “season ticket holder” for honbasho?

My impression is that if you want to have regular tickets to honbasho (except for the Kyushu Tourney), the best way to go about it is to go through a chaya.  

[John Gunning 3,186]

9 hours ago, Jakusotsu said:

I would even suspect the editor "correcting" John's perfectly fine article. Wouldn't have been the first time.

Still happens though not as much as in the past.

This time however an autocorrect I didn't notice was to blame.

I'll just gambarize and try and get back on track and do my own brand of sumo writing from tomorrow.

[Eikokurai 2,272]

4 hours ago, John Gunning said:

Still happens though not as much as in the past.

This time however an autocorrect I didn't notice was to blame.

I'll just gambarize and try and get back on track and do my own brand of sumo writing from tomorrow.

What is your style? Do you favour a migi or hidari grip on your pen when you’re writing? 

[Amamaniac 1,508]

Mr. Gunning comes back strong, with a piece on the shiki sen:

https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2019/07/14/sumo/sumo-101-shikiri-sen/#.XSshOS2B0xh

Which came first, the article or the commentary made on Day 7's broadcast?  I'm going with the former, in the sense that the article had been penned first.

[John Gunning 3,186]

10 hours ago, Amamaniac said:

Which came first, the article or the commentary made on Day 7's broadcast?  I'm going with the former, in the sense that the article had been penned first.

Nope. That Sumo 101 was written at 4am Monday morning.

Still looking for suggestions for the second half of the tournament if there is anything I haven't covered.

 

September 2018

1. The Ring
2. The Belt
3. Ring Names
4. The Emperor’s Cup
5. Ringside Judges
6. The Topknot
7. Tegata
8. Sekitori
9. Ryogoku
10. Stables
11. Sumo School
12. Winning Techniques
13. Yokozuna
14. Senshuraku
15. Life Outside Sumo / Hobbies

 

November 2018

1. Shonichi
2. Chanko
3. Nobori
4. Tokoyama
5. Shitakubeya
6. Kensho
7. The Roof
8. Oyakata & Rikishi Relationship
9. Ozeki
10. Gyoji
11. Keiko
12. Sumo Museum
13. Wrestlers Clothing / Footwear
14. Ring-entering ceremonies
15. Illegal Moves

 

January 2019

1. Becoming A rikishi
2. Sanyaku (Komusubi and Sekiwake Ranks)
3. Banzuke
4. Heya (Stables Physical Characteristics & Locations)
5. Retirement Ceremonies
6. A Typical Tournament Day For Rikishi
7. Yusho Portraits In The Kokugikan
8. Akeni
9. Pre & Post bout rituals
10. Kesho Mawashi
11. Trading Cards
12. Koenkai (Supporters Groups)
13. Sumo Jinja (相撲発祥の地)
14. Tickets
15. Sansho (special prizes)

 

March 2019

1. Juryo Division
2. Pusher-Thrusters
3. Sewanin / Wakaimonogashira
4. Sword Bearers & Dew Sweepers
5. Souvenirs
6. Closed Stables
7. Sumo Manga
8. Nicknames
9. College Graduates in Ozumo
10. Brothers in Sumo
11. Bow Twirling Ceremony
12. Could have beens
13. Rikishi with 90% plus losing records
14. Retired Oyakata
15. Instant replay

 

May 2019

1. Ichimon
2. Amateur Sumo
3. Tourism
4. Americans
5. Injuries
6. Online Games
7. Commercials
8. Tachiai
9. Cancelled tournaments
10. Small Rikishi
11. Large rikishi
12. Yobidashi
13. Mongolians
14. Controversial decisions
15. Sumo and song

 

July 2019

1. Drawn bouts
2. Rikishi with Character
3. Non-Tokyo Tournaments
4. Kokugikan
5. Chaya
6. Wakanohana Tochinishiki Rivalry
7. Joining sumo
8. Shikiri sen

[Otokonoyama 2,738]

Tsukebito, regional tours, NSk org, the rijicho, soken, former rikishi announcers., Futabayama's win streak, family dynasties, rikishi weddings, uchi-age parties, deciding to retire, okamisan.

Edited July 15, 2019 by Otokonoyama

[Kintamayama 33,895]

A typical non-tournament day for the rikishi.

[lackmaker 272]

5 hours ago, Otokonoyama said:

Tsukebito, regional tours, NSk org, the rijicho, soken, former rikishi announcers., Futabayama's win streak, family dynasties, rikishi weddings, uchi-age parties, deciding to retire, okamisan.

That's ok for a start, now give it some thought!

[orandashoho 677]

sagari
emergency sand throwing (blood spilled on the dohyo)
long bouts water breaks
statues, special memorial ceremonies
the role of taiko, do clappers have to be tuned?
 

[Amamaniac 1,508]

11 hours ago, John Gunning said:

Nope. That Sumo 101 was written at 4am Monday morning.

Impressive!  I bet you still got up at 6am for asageiko! 

[code_number3 402]

Mr. John Gunning, can you explain about eastern european rikishi? Thank you

[Otokonoyama 2,738]

Scouting, ikemen rikish and/or sumojo, sumo as a 2020 demo sport, iron men in sumo (Aminishiki and his ilk).

[John Gunning 3,186]

1 hour ago, Amamaniac said:

Impressive!  I bet you still got up at 6am for asageiko! 

I get up no later than 3am any day. I wrote it AFTER waking

[John Gunning 3,186]

3 hours ago, orandashoho said:

emergency sand throwing (blood spilled on the dohyo)

It's salt not sand and it serves the dual purpose of disinfecting and purifying (in a ritual sense)

[Yamanashi 1,496]

Mr. Gunning, you've covered so much material that it's hard to think of something you haven't covered!

Can you clarify the way non-paid rikishi get "paid"?  Do they get an allowance?  Is it the same for each heya?  Besides food, lodging and a yukata, what does the oyakata provide?

[Gaijingai 614]

Mr. Gunning, how about which heyas are the hardest on the rikishi?