Takanohana-beya-first foreigner recruit

[Kintamayama 47,184]

Takanohana beya's first foreigner will be a 15 year old Korean. His shikona will be something like Ryuuseihana(劉成英), and he will be undergoing the shindeshi checkups on the 6th. "When we're talking about rikishi, it doesn't matter if they are foreigners or Japanese", said Takanohana Oyakata of his first foreign deshi. The deshi comes from Seoul originally, but now lives in Kanagawa with his family. His background in sports is unknown, but he has expressed his desire to join Sumo. He has registered under a Japanese name, and uses Yamada as his name. The Kyokai rules stipulate that you have to be living at least ten years in Japan to be regarded as "Japanese" Sumo-wise, and this youngster clearly does not fall into that category. In the past, Futagoyama beya (under the leadership of Taka's uncle Wakanohana had two Koreans and two Americans. Since Taka's father took over, there were no foreigners, after the last one (American Muryuu(??)夢龍) retired in 1981.

New Korean:

The sign in front of the heya has finally been changed to Takanohana-beya. Takanohana, who came to Tokyo for the unveiling, said "I'm realy happy to see the shin-deshi are relaxed. Usually, they are really uptight at the beginning, but I'd like to see each and every rikishi aspire to do as well as he can", he said. The sign cost around 5 million yen ($44,600), as it was made with special wood and stuff, and lettered by a famous person. It was covered in glass to avoid erosion. The size is the same as the old one (189 cm/48cm), but is 6 centimeters thick, as opposed to the old one which was 4.3 centimeters..

Wow..

Sign:

Edited March 6, 2004 by Kintamayama

[Zuikakuyama 1]

This new recruit actually looks a bit like his brother wakanohana when he was of the same age. (Applauding...)

[Kotoseiya Yuichi 3]

The sign cost around 5 million yen ($44,600), as it was made with special wood and stuff, and lettered by a famous person.

It's a crazy world.

[aderechelsea 125]

The sign cost around 5 million yen ($44,600)

(Blinking...) (Blinking...) (Clapping wildly...) (Applauding...)

they must be joking.....right? :-/

[Ryunokaze 0]

The sign cost around 5 million yen ($44,600)

(Blinking...) (Blinking...) (Clapping wildly...) (Applauding...)

they must be joking.....right? :-/

Pretty expensive joke...

Honestly though.Calligraphy is a very serious art form in Japan.Just as the banzuke's lettering is a time honoured tradition so is the lettering on many things including signs and such.

It is highly likely that the Japanese who do appreciate and enjoy such things will visit the Beya mostly to take in the work of a person ,who in his field ,is a master.

Takanohana clearly wants the best for his beya and the sign helps to express this plus he probably has a taste for such things.He seems to be a great traditionalist in many ways.

The sign looks impressive to me.

[Takanorappa 97]

The sign cost around 5 million yen ($44,600), as it was made with special wood and stuff, and lettered by a famous person.

It's a crazy world.

Obviously, the oyakata hasn't seen the infomercials for the fabulous Rotozip tool. In under 10 minutes, with no training at all, even his newest deshi could have cranked out that sign with professional results. ...and cleanup is a snap! (Blinking...)

If he acks now, he could get not only the tool but also the new ita-banzuke attachment. This attachment makes it easy for you to create those neat wooden banzuke seen outside the venues, and enjoy them in your own heya! All this for just three payments of 1900 yen. Operators are standing by! (Clapping wildly...) (Applauding...)

[Takanobaka 0]

Obviously, the oyakata hasn't seen the infomercials for the fabulous Rotozip tool. In under 10 minutes, with no training at all, even his newest deshi could have cranked out that sign with professional results. ...and cleanup is a snap! (Blinking...)

If he acks now, he could get not only the tool but also the new ita-banzuke attachment. This attachment makes it easy for you to create those neat wooden banzuke seen outside the venues, and enjoy them in your own heya! All this for just three payments of 1900 yen. Operators are standing by! (Applauding...) (Blinking...)

(Clapping wildly...)

It is a nice sign however, and remember that it is an investment....a quality sign like that should be able to last the full life of Takanohana Beya, so what seems like a ridiculous price really only amortizes out to $1500 a year, which isn't too crazy considering how much most companies pay for yearly maintenance of their signs...

[Ryunokaze 0]

It is widespread knowledge that appreciation of such thing is not for everybody.

[Naganoyama 6,026]

Takanohana beya's first foreigner will be a 15 year old Korean.

Takanonami has in the past been quoted as saying that he loves to hand out stick to Gaijin rikishi. I am sure that he meant 'on the dohyo' but I wonder if his glee will extend to giving this deshi a hard time in the practice arena?