YDC tackles Takamisakari "ceremony" issue

[Kintamayama 47,171]

The Yokozuna Deliberation Council meeting was held in the Japan Sumo Association conference room in Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo on the 22nd. Members asked Kitanoumi Rijicho what exactly his stand was regarding Takamisakari's "ceremonies". Makiko Uchidate, committee member, asked what exactly about the "ceremonies" was bothering him. This is the first time a non-Yokozuna related issue comes up for discussion at the YDC. It seems the YDC was trying to protect Sakari's antics, and Kitanoumi seems to have buckled under the pressure.

The committee took time to divert the issues from Asashouryuu's dignity problems and Musashimaru's ongoing absence to this highly important subject- Takamisakari's "ceremonies".

The YDC heard that Kitanoumi had said on day 6, "There are certain manners on the dohyo ", referring to Sakari's "ceremony" whereby he swings down both fists while striking his face and breast and shaking his shoulders up and down. This brought about numerous telephone calls from worried fans who did not want it stopped.

Kitanoumi tried to explain: '"There are various ways rikishi get their concentration, and as long as they are courteous, it's fine by me". Members of the YDC were saying that if these "ceremonies" are good enough to bring the guy a sansho prize, leave him alone. Examples were given of Asashouryuu's exaggerated swaggering in his last shikiri where he loudly hits his mawashi and farts or Kitanoumi's own deshi, Kitazakura, who has gone back to the "Mitoizumi salt throw " this basho. They were wondering what the heck the difference was..

Regarding Asashouryuu's silence , and some reporters whining about it, another member said, "Just like some Kabuki actors pray to God before a performance, every one has his own way of concentration. So Asa is silent. So WHAT??" Sakari was attending the Nihon University graduate wrestler's party to celebrate the successful completion of the Basho in Tokyo yesterday. Although he emphasized that "It's not a performance or a ceremony, either", it seems his "concentration exercises" will now continue as usual.

<>These performances started after he returned to the ring after that heavy injury of the right knee ligament he suffered back in 2000. He struck his face and breast, in order to overcome his fear of re-entering the dohyo.

After beating Kaio and Tochiazuma on days 5 and 6 this last Basho ,Kitanoumi said "Keeping your opponent waiting in his corner with the salt in his hands is discourteous" referring to Sakari's prolonged antics. Although Sakari did cut the motions by half for a couple of days, he went back to his usual shtick a few days later.

Now it looks as though he has the "green light" to keep doing it. (As long as he wins? As long as he is a big box-office draw? Till he becomes Ozeki?)

--

Edited September 23, 2003 by Kintamayama

[Naifuzan 1]

where he loudly hits his mawashi and farts

Now that seems "discourteous" if anything, doesnt it? (Sigh...)

[Kintamayama 47,171]

where he loudly hits his mawashi and farts

Now that seems "discourteous" if anything, doesnt it? (Eh?)

No, no- that was a joke!! And I certainly did laugh!! :-) (Sigh...)

[Naifuzan 1]

I will go read your daily joke again now. Maybe I will be wiser!

(Sigh...)

[Kintamayama 47,171]

I will go read your daily joke again now. Maybe I will be wiser!

(Eh?)

I don't know about wiser, but you'll smile, I'm sure... :-( (Sigh...) :-) :-D :-)

[Fujisan 533]

Good decision-

We all love to watch him and he gives life to one of the less interesting parts of sumo.

[Yoavoshimaru 0]

This is the first time a non-Yokozuna related issue comes up for discussion at the YDC. It seems the YDC was trying to protect Sakari's antics, and Kitanoumi seems to have buckled under the pressure.

Actually, it seems to me the YDC is over-stepping its authority. It or some of its members want to gain exposure in the media, and now they've gone into talking abuot things that are not their business. Stick to yokozuna promotions and let the NSK do its work.

Edited September 24, 2003 by Yoavoshimaru

[Zentoryu 154]

This is the first time a non-Yokozuna related issue comes up for discussion at the YDC. It seems the YDC was trying to protect Sakari's antics, and Kitanoumi seems to have buckled under the pressure.

Actually, it seems to me the YDC is over-stepping its authority. It or some of its members want to gain exposure in the media, and now they've gone into talking abuot things that are not their business. Stick to yokozuna promotions and let the NSK do its work.

Most of the YDC members already have a great deal of media exposure, which is one of the reasons why they are members of the YDC in the first place, so I seriously doubt this is a cause for their intervention in the Takamisakari affair.

[Ryunokaze 0]

I enjoy the mental games during the shikiri. Takamisakari definently adds some colour and gets the crowd going at that point.As already pointed out,there are many sekitori who do their own thing.Why should Takamisakari be singled out?He is a little more over the top though.

Does anybody know of an Ozeki or Yokozuna who`s antics could match Takamisakari`s at this point?Will he need to tone down a little before being concidered,if he is ever in that position?

[Yubiquitoyama 4]

I enjoy the mental games during the shikiri. Takamisakari definently adds some colour and gets the crowd going at that point.As already pointed out,there are many sekitori who do their own thing.Why should Takamisakari be singled out?He is a little more over the top though.

Does anybody know of an Ozeki or Yokozuna who`s antics could match Takamisakari`s at this point?Will he need to tone down a little before being concidered,if he is ever in that position?

Personally I think Takanonami's and to some extent Musashimaru's matta-inducing tachi-ai manners is just as bad or rather much worse. It's virtually impossible for the opponent to see when they intend to start so they can easily disturb the rythm of their opponent. Especislly Takanonami has done so many times (including a bout against Kotoryu quite recently I'm sure many of you remember. was it three or four mattas? ).

[Yoavoshimaru 0]

I remember that bout -- it was annoying to watch as a spectator to some extent (because it took longer), but interesting in another way -- could the other guy maintain his focus?

Which is what it comes down to I think: rikishi at the highest levels should be able to maintain their focus despite distractions.

Reminds me of the "test" scene in Swordfish (In a state of confusion...)

[Mark Buckton 1]

Bit of an older conversation now but undoubtedly one that will resurface when the 9th of Nov comes.

Interestingly no one mentioned that his own boss (Sakari's that is) at Azumazeki - Akebono, made comments I believe that criticized his antics live on TV when working as an NHK guest commentator.

Food for thought.

ANR

[Gaijinohana 0]

It is short-sighted of the YDC to even suggest that they might need to get involved to exert some change over Sakari's 'pumping-up' ceremony. It's as if they don't realize that sumo has already lost a ton of popularity and that Takamisakari is one of the few real draws left for the japanese public. I am sure that everyone realizes that in addition to the antics Sakari can upset a higher ranked rikishi on any given day. He's a pretty good wrestler with a slightly different flavor...and to top it all off...he's japanese! The general japanese public would probably like to enjoy sumo more, but they have to put up with their own japanese ozekis namely Chiyo and Kaio that are constant chokers. I am sure that they have a ton of hope that Takamisakari is on his way to being a great rikishi they they can find some pride in.

[Jesinofuji 11]

I'd like to know more about exactly how decisions like this in Sumo are made in more detail. My understanding was that YDC handled Yokozuna issues such as promotion. But now I'm kind of thinking the structure of the Kyokai is less set in stone than I thought.

I think if they made Takamisakari stop his routine, it would be tragic for Sumo. Not only would it take away from Sumo that which made Sumo's most popular rikishi famous, it would also discourage current and future rikishi from moving away from the norm. This would take excitement from the sport. I hope more rikishi rise up and invent their own antics to make them stand out.