Ms. Uchidate- "We are not pleased!"

[ilovesumo 12]

And for what it's worth, and from what I've seen in Juryo and lower, the next Japanese Yokozuna hasn't been born yet.

Well, what have you seen in juryo and lower? (Second prize...) Actually I wouldn't be entirely shocked if the next Japanese yokozuna is currently ranked Ms19w, but then I'm certainly in the process of becoming a Ryuden fanboy...

Well, he lost to my Arawashi... (Sign of approval...)

[01010101 0]

If I'm not mistaken Hakuho had the same amount of keiko as Asashoryu ...

And your basis for this assessment is...?

Please back me up, wise guy!

[_the_mind_ 0]

横綱としては二流、三流と思います

That means second or third rate. I combined the quotes from the two articles to clarify her statement. As you know, the two writers are reporting from the same interview so the original quote most likely included both parts.

I screwed that one up royally for sure. I remind everyone that I wouldn't even attempt to do any of these if anyone else with far superior knowledge of Japanese than myself would step up and do them. Since no one is, I'm just chugging along "feeding the translation machine" as someone once put it..

and i thank you kindly

[Sashohitowa 6]

FWIW, I respect and agree with the view point of Uchidate. Not because this time it is Anti-Asa, but because it makes sense for the sake of ozumo. As a difference to Yaku Mitsuru, who's quotes always seem superficial to me.

As a matter of fact, so far all what I see as pro-Asa comments can be summarized as "Winning IS everything" and "Uchidate, you are an ugly bitch, har har". Can someone actually explain why he thinks that Asashoryu IS a "Good yokozuna" instead?

By the way, in Jonosuke's Senshuraku Rikishi Talk post you can see that Yoshio Ishibashi, the YDC chairman, saying "A yokozuna's responsibility is not simply to win. He will need to conduct himself in a yokozuna like manner and should possess the grace. Obviously this will become one of our agenda tomorrow at our regular meeeting."

So what, does Asashoryu need to take him out and get him drunk as well?

[Kintamayama 45,484]

By the way, in Jonosuke's Senshuraku Rikishi Talk post you can see that Yoshio Ishibashi, the YDC chairman, saying "A yokozuna's responsibility is not simply to win. He will need to conduct himself in a yokozuna like manner and should possess the grace. Obviously this will become one of our agenda tomorrow at our regular meeeting."

So what, does Asashoryu need to take him out and get him drunk as well?

And if you switch to the next channel, you'll see that new Chairman Tsuruta has a different take on things.

[Sashohitowa 6]

By the way, in Jonosuke's Senshuraku Rikishi Talk post you can see that Yoshio Ishibashi, the YDC chairman, saying "A yokozuna's responsibility is not simply to win. He will need to conduct himself in a yokozuna like manner and should possess the grace. Obviously this will become one of our agenda tomorrow at our regular meeeting."

So what, does Asashoryu need to take him out and get him drunk as well?

And if you switch to the next channel, you'll see that new Chairman Tsuruta has a different take on things.

...And that's perfectly fine. No vendetta threats from my side. By the way - how many chairmans does this committee have?

(And personal "Thank you" for your coverage on all the channels, Kintamayama!)

[Kozaru 0]

Can someone actually explain why he thinks that Asashoryu IS a "Good yokozuna" instead?

OK. Because I think he behaves very well to a normal person, and only somebody who expects some kind of super-human behaviour out of a human could expect him to do much better, given the pressures and situation he faces. Asashoryu would be a role-model athlete in most countries, where athletes are being arrested for illegal weapons, assault and torturing animals. The standard they're attempting to hold him to is too high, in my opinion. His fire is a big part of what allowed him to succeed.

You notice when the media was covering his first "guts pose" that they used the same kind of music in the background as they did for that guy who killed the little girl in his apartment? If you live in Japan, you've probably seen his interviews he did with the media before he was named as the suspect. They're trying to make Asa look as evil as possible, just to sell some newspapers. That would piss me off! It's somewhat surprising that he manages to keep as much composure as he does.

[Sashohitowa 6]

Sorry, but this still sounds to me like excuses why he is not what it is expected to be. (I agree that it might be disputable if he indeed is not (a good yokozuna), and that's exactly the kind of discussion that I think is meaningful... instead of taking the issue on a personal (Uchidate) level.)

...and only somebody who expects some kind of super-human behavior out of a human could expect him to do much better, given the pressures and situation he faces.

I wouldn't think of Hakuho as of a super-human.

And let's not forget that some part of the pressure comes with the job, but other he has managed to bring onto himself alone. (Agree?)

About the media and the media and that parallel with some killer that you made: I do not live in Japan and I do not follow Japanese media, except the news that the kind people of this forum bring up and translate. I know the yellow media can be nasty, and very often can be off the point. But in this case I think that the non-yellow critcs toward Asashoryu's behavior in his role of Yokozuna, are valid and reasonable.

[Kintamayama 45,484]

...And that's perfectly fine. No vendetta threats from my side. By the way - how many chairmans does this committee have?

He became chairman today, actually, in the never ending musical chairs that is part of the YDC.

[Kintamayama 45,484]

"I am definitely not pleased!"

[Asashosakari 19,593]

He became chairman today

This past January actually, I think... it was previously Ebisawa (since 2007), and Ishibashi for four years prior to that. I think Jonosuke simply mistyped in calling Ishibashi the chairman in his senshuraku post.

[Kintamayama 45,484]

He became chairman today

This past January actually, I think... it was previously Ebisawa (since 2007), and Ishibashi for four years prior to that. I think Jonosuke simply mistyped in calling Ishibashi the chairman in his senshuraku post.

DANGER-MEANDERING!!

Yes, I was sure of that, but today's article said otherwise.. I'm pretty sure you're right, but they're adamant that Tsuruta is the new chairman as of today. Or maybe I'm reading it wrong again, and the "new" means "renewed", but then, why is Mr. Ishibashi called Chairman?

[madorosumaru 7]

The term for YDC chairman is two years and he can serve for the maximum of two terms. The current chairman, Mr. Tsuruta, former chairman of Nihon Keizai Shimbun, began his term in January of this year.

Prior to that, Mr. Ebisawa, former chairman of NHK, served one term between Jan. '07 and Jan. '09. Mr. Ishibashi, the president of a prestigious girls' school in Tokyo, served two terms from Jan. '03 to Jan. '07.

Incidentally, Miss Uchidate is currently in her fifth and final term as a member of the YDC. The term expires in Sept. '10.

Edit: additional information.

The article Kinta referred to does indeed state that Mr. Tsuruta began his term today. However, I searched back to old articles and here is one from Natsu Basho. The photo caption clearly says Miss Uchidate is sitting next to Chairman Tsuruta of the YDC.

Article in Sponichi.

Edited September 28, 2009 by madorosumaru

[Kintamayama 45,484]

The article Kinta referred to does indeed state that Mr. Tsuruta began his term today. However, I searched back to old articles and here is one from Natsu Basho. The photo caption clearly says Miss Uchidate is sitting next to Chairman Tsuruta of the YDC.

Article in Sponichi.

Yes, I remember translating the article about the chairman change. That's why I found today's article strange.

[madorosumaru 7]

Yes, I remember translating the article about the chairman change. That's why I found today's article strange.

Mystery solved! The article you cited is dated 1/27/09. That, of course, was the day he took over as chairman.

No longer strange article

[Kintamayama 45,484]

Yes, I remember translating the article about the chairman change. That's why I found today's article strange.

Mystery solved! The article you cited is dated 1/27/09. That, of course, was the day he took over as chairman.

No longer strange article

Wow, I've broken even my own standards of senility. I need a long vacation.

[Jonosuke 28]

It was charitably described as a mistype but I thought Ishibashi was the chairman as he has been there as if forever that I see him in my dream. I too need a long dream vacation without Ishibashi or Uchidate. I understand Israel is nice around this type of year, any recommendation, Kinta san?

[Kintamayama 45,484]

It was charitably described as a mistype but I thought Ishibashi was the chairman as he has been there as if forever that I see him in my dream. I too need a long dream vacation without Ishibashi or Uchidate. I understand Israel is nice around this type of year, any recommendation, Kinta san?

We can trade houses-you come here and I'll go to Canada. Just say when.

[Jonosuke 28]

Now that I read something about Takuhiko Tsuruta, former CEO and Chairman of Japan's largest financial daily, Nihon Keizai Shimbun, and the current YDC chairman, I think a lot of people around here will like him as he is completely opposite of Ms Uchidate and he is a great fan of Asashoryu.

He believes Asashoryu can revitalize Ozumo with his unique brand of sumo style and his overwhelming mental power. Since Tsuruta joined YDC in 2003, he will outlast Ms Uchidate too by several years so things are looking up for Asashoryu.

Of course like Asashoryu, Tsuruta has been controversial. He has sued and has been sued and he even attempted to suppress a novel from getting published (actually it was published and he successfully sued the publisher and writer for 4.5 million yen as well stopped the movie right from sold. It vaguely described his life in and out of boardroom and bedroom.

When he became the president of Nihon Keizai Shimbun newspaper in 1993, he apparently had a child by a lover (a certain lady club owner in Tokyo's Akasaka area). Since he was born in 1927, he was well into his senior years when he was spending at least four nights out of six at the club. He must love anyone who can revitalize anyone or anything and I imagine Asashoryu fits the bill.

Today Tsuruta and Kokonoe oyakata (former Chiyonofuji) even tried to get the reporters covering YDC meeting not to write Takasago oyakata came over to the YDC meeting today to personally apologize for Asashoryu's behavior. So those who feel the Kyokai is constantlly and organically after Asashoryu's behind, he appears still to have a few good men in high places still supporting him and can come to his defense when he needs it.

Edited September 29, 2009 by Jonosuke

[Kintamayama 45,484]

50 phone calls came pouring in to the batcave Kyokai headquarters concerning Asashouryuu's GP (guts pose). Though some of them were from irate fans totally angered, the majority were from people who said "it wasn't that bad", which reflects what went down at the YDC meeting, says the reporter.

Edited September 30, 2009 by Kintamayama

[kawika 123]

FWIW, I respect and agree with the view point of Uchidate. Not because this time it is Anti-Asa, but because it makes sense for the sake of ozumo. As a difference to Yaku Mitsuru, who's quotes always seem superficial to me.

As a matter of fact, so far all what I see as pro-Asa comments can be summarized as "Winning IS everything" and "Uchidate, you are an ugly bitch, har har". Can someone actually explain why he thinks that Asashoryu IS a "Good yokozuna" instead?

By the way, in Jonosuke's Senshuraku Rikishi Talk post you can see that Yoshio Ishibashi, the YDC chairman, saying "A yokozuna's responsibility is not simply to win. He will need to conduct himself in a yokozuna like manner and should possess the grace. Obviously this will become one of our agenda tomorrow at our regular meeeting."

So what, does Asashoryu need to take him out and get him drunk as well?

I have to agree here, what is that the Japanese word for it, "himaku"? I am not convinced that Asashoryu has got it. He is a superior dai yokozuna in terms of his power, skill, and yusho, but the special "wabi sabi" essence seems to be missing, IMHO.

[Asameshimae 220]

I have to agree here, what is that the Japanese word for it, "himaku"? I am not convinced that Asashoryu has got it. He is a superior dai yokozuna in terms of his power, skill, and yusho, but the special "wabi sabi" essence seems to be missing, IMHO.

Characteristics of the wabi-sabi aesthetic include asymmetry, asperity, simplicity, modesty, intimacy, and the suggestion of natural processes.

I am not sure I have ever heard a living thing described with that term, nor am I sure I would want a yokozuna who exudes most of these qualities. But to each his own.

Edited September 30, 2009 by Asanomeshi

[Sasanishiki 57]

Since Tsuruta joined YDC in 2003, he will outlast Ms Uchidate too by several years so things are looking up for Asashoryu.

Since he was born in 1927

If he lives to 86. I realise Japanese seniors have great longevity, but there are always risks with advanced age.

[Kofuji 0]

From a New York Times interview with Nobel Laureate Martin Chalfie published September 21st:

Q. GETTING BACK TO YOUR NOBEL, HOW DID YOU PREPARE FOR THE FORMAL CEREMONY IN STOCKHOLM?

A. My friend Bob Horvitz, who got the medicine prize in 2002, tried to prepare me. He said, “You’ll go to a rehearsal before the ceremony and they’ll show you a video of Paul Nurse (the head of Rockefeller University) accepting his prize because they want to show you what not to do.” Apparently, you’re supposed to walk up to the king, accept your medal, shake his hand and bow to the king and to the electors. Then, you bow to the audience. Paul had done this, but when he got back to his chair, he lifted his arms

Edited September 30, 2009 by Kofuji

[Otokonoyama 2,735]

Ms. Uchidate clearly loves sumo. Asashoryu clearly loves sumo. The yokozuna has on occasion extended the olive branch. One would hope Ms. Uchidate could accept, and somehow find a way to offer constructive criticism and use the wisdom of her years and experience to subtly work with the yokozuna in achieving the common goal of popularizing sumo with the younger generations of Japanese.