Futagoyama health situation and Sakari

[Kintamayama 47,193]

Futagoyama Oyakata (53), who was kyujo from all tasks in Kyushu, still seems to be seriously ill. He missed yesterday's Rijikai meeting. He also missed the Oodake -beya (former Taihou beya) dohyo consecration ceremony a few days ago. Today, his son Takanohana forwarded a letter announcing Oyakata's absence. OTOH, no one was given a proxy vote instead of him in case of any serious voting happening in the near future.

Kyokai Management:" We don't really know what the situation is. We don't even know if we should pay a sympathy visit", said a bewildered official. Kitanoumi Rijicho:" At this point, all we can do is pray for his swift recovery. There still is time to decide whether he can fulfill his duties in Hatsu", he added, hinting he would not be pressuring Futagoyama Oyakata about his plans at this juncture. OTOH, we have the Kyokai elections coming up after Hatsu, and Futagoyama's health could play a role as well.

The Rijikai decided to open a "Fan-Service Bureau". In lieu of the alarming decrease of spectators, they have finally decided it's time to try and bring the fans back. They started giving out chanko and stuff during bashos, but now, they've taken it a step further and established a veritable Bureau. "The time to sit back and wait for the fans to come is over. It's time we take the initiative!!", said Kitanoumi Rijicho.

Azumazeki Oyakata will be accompanying Takamisakari to degeiko, as he promised last Basho. He forbade Sakari to go out on his own, after he was beaten, humiliated and injured before last basho by various rikishi, resulting in his nightmarish 5-10 basho in Kyushu.

Most rikishi will be starting serious keiko today. Sakari was planning to go to Takasago, but was issued a "matta" by his Oyakata, who remembers what went down a few months ago. "We'll see what the situation will be. In any case, if he goes, I'll be there with him", said Oyakata.

Yesterday, Takamisakari did some keiko with Makushita and under rikishi, 26 bouts. He has had a cold for the last three days." Instead of Christmas, I am suffering from a cold", he punned in Japanese-

クリスマスというより風邪でクルシンデマス

His injured shoulder seems to be healed, and he is looking forward to practicing with Asashouryuu again, this time under the watchful eyes of his Oyakata.

Edited December 26, 2003 by Kintamayama

[Fujisan 533]

We finally and sadly see an end to the ever deepening mystery of how healthy Yokozuna Takanohana is and now its his fathers turn to keep us guessing about his health or lack of it-

What is it with this family?

[Kaikitsune Makoto 210]

We finally and sadly see an end to the ever deepening mystery of how healthy Yokozuna Takanohana is and now its his fathers turn to keep us guessing about his health or lack of it-

What ever deepening healthy mystery? Nothing mysterious in yokozuna Takanohana's health is there? If you mean the knee problem caused long absence, it was mystery only in details that interest no one besides medicine nerds....

In 1998 there were much more mysterious events in Takanohana's health on many levels though. You know those liver and chiropractician problems.

[Fujisan 533]

No sorry,you misunderstand Kaikitsune-

I was referring to the "Taking part,not taking part," question before every basho and the beyas reluctance to release details on Takanohanas condition at the time.

[Mark Buckton 1]

Kinta-san,

"They started giving out chanko and stuff during bashos" - this bit is excellent and was highlighted when I bought tickets for January.

Also, if anyone goes, they have the chance to get free apples / Asashoryu goods / tickets for other Tokyo basho and even a chance to meet me (for some reason not being overly promoted by the NSK ;-) ).

Good for the consumer but 1 idea above all else would bring fans back is to (although pride could never let it happen I fear) REDUCE THE F#$"'&% PRICES. Surely the common sense idea of anyone with an IQ higher than their shoe size.

Prices now are ridiculously high :'-( - especially at a time when most young people (the next generation of fans) are what the Japanese call part-timers (full time hours but low salary). The cheapest reserved tickets are 3600 yen I think. Pretty expensive at about 5 hours pay for part timers.

However, in 'pride governed J-business' the ideas many have when profits decrease through lack of sales is to PUT THE PRICES UP! As stupid as it sounds it works in Japan. People don't trust goods sold too cheaply and sumo tickets look no different. Strange but true.

Having said that, to those of you watching on TV look behind all the old people in the front rows - there are plenty of youngsters and particularly women. At Tamanoi one morning a month or two ago, of about 6 or 7 watchers, 5 were women taking pics with their mobiles. Groupies?

Plus - this conversation has been going since the days radi was introduced to hasn't it? That didn't cause the harm it was supposed to and we can only hope nothing else does.

ANR

[Zentoryu 154]

Also, if anyone goes, they have the chance to get free apples / Asashoryu goods / tickets for other Tokyo basho and even a chance to meet me (for some reason not being overly promoted by the NSK ;-) ).

I almost spit up my drink when I read that. :-)

Pretty funny stuff. :-)

[Asashosakari 20,225]

However, in 'pride governed J-business' the ideas many have when profits decrease through lack of sales is to PUT THE PRICES UP!  As stupid as it sounds it works in Japan.  People don't trust goods sold too cheaply and sumo tickets look no different.  Strange but true.

Yeah, I can understand the reasoning behind this, but I can't say it makes sense. :-) The whole "higher price implies higher quality" assumption can work for, say, cars; goods for which it's difficult to objectively judge the quality of parts and the material, the production technology involved, etc. so the higher price substitutes as an indicator of overall quality.

However, tickets for what is basically an entertainment event don't qualify, IMO...anyone who attends a sumo basho should be able to figure out whether he enjoyed it or not, and whether it was worth the price, and that's really the only "quality" such tickets possess. Some people may enjoy a $100 event more than an identical $50 event simply because of the higher price, but I don't think the population at large is so delusional. :-) And with all the competition from baseball, soccer, puroresu, etc. that has emerged or strengthened in the last 10-20 years, there are plenty of other entertainment opportunities that people can spend their money on. BTW, what are the prices for a decent seat to attend a soccer or baseball game? Kinda curious how they compare to sumo...

Maybe the high prices are just a matter of the Kyokai trying to milk their core fanbase once they started losing the casual fans that the Hawaiians and Taka-Waka brought in. Needless to say, I don't think that would be a terribly good strategy in the long run, particularly with the already rather high average age of sumo's core fans. Perhaps the recent activities by the Kyokai to bring in new fans indicate that they're finally aware of the problems. And I agree, lowering the prices (and telling people about it) ought to at least be considered.

Apologies for the quasi-economic theory detour in this post. ;-)

Edited December 28, 2003 by Asashosakari

[Mark Buckton 1]

Prices - with opinions thrown in free.

Football - about 2500 yen to 7 or 8000 depending on teams / seats of course. Total waste of money considering the level Europeans are used to (does not apply to Scottish Premier League (Enjoying a beer...) )

Baseball that I've been to when given free tickets - from 1500 / 1800 in the outfield to about 10,000 infield for the big games and teams. (and if you go to a Giants game - look at the rows of empty seats and check the next day's Yomiuri to see it was a 55,000 full house - Yomiuri being the owners don't like admitting the stadium only holds about 46000 either) (Censored)

WWE in Tokyo - 5k to 30k for the 15 or 20 rows that constitute 'ringside'

Hope this helps

ANR

PS - all prices adults of course.

The NSK needs help and will probably end up paying millions to a PR company to 'advise' them (and increase ticket prices to cover the charge) when good old ANR would do similar for the very reasonable fee of free passes to all Tokyo tourneys. :-D

[Onnagumo 4]

The NSK needs help and will probably end up paying millions to a PR company to 'advise' them (and increase ticket prices to cover the charge) when good old ANR would do similar for the very reasonable fee of free passes to all Tokyo tourneys. :-D

(Holiday feeling...)

[Yoavoshimaru 0]

Kyokai Management:" We don't really know what the situation is. We don't even know if we should pay a sympathy visit",

The dude is sick, go visit, say hi, cheer him up. It's so simple and basic. Am I missing something?

[Kintamayama 47,193]

Kyokai Management:" We don't really know what the situation is. We don't even know if we should pay a sympathy visit",

The dude is sick, go visit, say hi, cheer him up. It's so simple and basic. Am I missing something?

Yes, you are.. The heya is not saying how sick, what he has, when they think he will recuperate--secretive. You don't come around visiting sick people if you are not invited in Japan. Typical sumo medical secrets.

Then, they suddenly die. Anyone remember Kenkou?

Edited December 29, 2003 by Kintamayama

[Kaikitsune Makoto 210]

Then, they suddenly die. Anyone remember Kenkou?

Yes and most tragic was Tamanishiki's death due to innocent appendix inflammation aggravation. He had suffered from severe abdominal pain but didn't go for check-up. Then footage was shown of strechers where a big dead man was lying under a white sheet and yokozuna Tamanishiki was dead just like that. Fellow rikishi were coming to hospital and got the news and looked stunned. I guess this was one of the most tragic events in the history of ozumo. Of course Kenko's and Daishoho's deaths were equally tragic but those deaths were due to very serious illness and therefore not as lighting struck as Tamanishiki's was.

It is a bit surprising actually that no makuuchi rikishi has ever died on the dohyo. Is it so really? Since there have certainly been excessive steroid/other hormones usage for some (may cause heart muscle abnormalities and so on) and also some rikishi really don't seem very fit at all (like Susanoumi..I was afraid he may die at any moment when he was on the dohyo), it is interesting that no rikishi has ever died on the dohyo. It is different with lower ranked rikishi who are usually young and can have underlying heart disease which then manifests itself by killing the deshi but with makuuchi rikishi who have years of training...

Also the fact that rikishi are known for their perseverance towards illnesses and some rikishi compete in 40 degree fever, they risk dangerous side effects like myocarditis (inflammation of heart muscle). Yet all goes fine and no sudden deaths. Some rikishi have suffered heart attacks or have been diagnosed with heart disease and then they have withdrawn from sumo.

Should wood be knocked now? Jinx? Well it is good that no deaths occur of course! Just wondering that it is somewhat lucky too in a way considering the circumstances.

[Manekineko 200]

What did Kenkou die of? It was between my time, ie. after Paris basho and before I re-started watching sumo truly...

[Fujisan 533]

Do you have any pictures of Tamanishiki,Daishoho or Kenko? The pictures on Chiyozakuras site of the latter two are not very clear and Tamanishiki pre dates the Yokozuna pictures on the NSK site.

[Gernobono 467]

it is not a good picture as well, but here is one of tamanishiki

[Yubiquitoyama 4]

Then, they suddenly die. Anyone remember Kenkou?

Yes and most tragic was Tamanishiki's death due to innocent appendix inflammation aggravation.

Are you sure you don't mean Tamanoumi? I actually think Tamanishiki also died from appendicitis problems, but Tamanoumi seems even more tragic to me, without being familiar with all circumstances.

(Holiday feeling...)

Edited December 29, 2003 by Yubiquitoyama

[Kaikitsune Makoto 210]

Are you sure you don't mean Tamanoumi? I actually think Tamanishiki also died from appendicitis problems, but Tamanoumi seems even more tragic to me, without being familiar with all circumstances

I meant Tamanoumi yes. He had a different shikona (maybe Tamanishiki?) before he was promoted to yokozuna in 1970. He was born in 1944 and was only 27 years old at the time of his death. He had won 6 yusho and would have been an excellent rival to Kitanofuji who was promoted to yokozuna at the exact same time. They had very even face to face record and their bouts drew much interest.

Yokozuna Tamanishiki died already in 1932.

What did Kenkou die of? It was between my time, ie. after Paris basho and before I re-started watching sumo truly...

Some extremely rare form of leukemia if I remember correctly. He had some mysterious fever for a while and then evidently died due to pulmonary embolism when hospitalized. I think his illness had something to do with breakdown of blood cells. It was said that in whole Japan less than 10 people had this particular form of the disease.

[Tony 16]

I meant Tamanoumi yes. He had a different shikona (maybe Tamanishiki?) before he was promoted to yokozuna in 1970.

His shikona was Tamanoshima before his promotion.

Yokozuna Tamanishiki died already in 1932.

Indeed in 1938.

[Kotoseiya Yuichi 3]

I seem to recall Tamanonada's shikona change to Tamanoshima was thought to be surprising at the time (late 2000 or early 2001?) as it is one of the most prestigious ones in Kataonami-beya and Tamanonada didn't look too obvious an ozeki candidate at the time (not that he'd be one today).

[Fujisan 533]

Thanks for the picture anyway Gerno,thats great.

[Onnagumo 4]

Do you have any pictures of Tamanishiki,Daishoho or Kenko?

Kenko http://www.szumo.hu/KENKO.HTM

(Holiday feeling...)

[Fujisan 533]

Nice try and thanks Onnagumo but they aren't much clearer than the one on Chiyozakuras site with my isp-

I dont know whether clicking on them are supposed to make them larger but its not working for me.

[Onnagumo 4]

I dont know whether clicking on them are supposed to make them larger

Yes, that is exactly what's supposed to happen. Being a complete nitwit when talking about computers, I have no idea why it doesn't work for you. Maybe someone else on this forum knows?

[Kotoseiya Yuichi 3]

Most likely it's because WebTV device doesn't understand Nekonishiki-zeki's javascripts or support for javascript is turned off. Speaking of the tragically deceased yokozuna Tamanoumi, I'll add few images to the image thread elsewhere on this subforum now.

[Naganoyama 6,029]

it is not a good picture as well, but here is one of tamanishiki

Anyone see a resemblance to Chiyotaikai?