The 2011 May Ability Judgement Event

[Peterao 3]

Let's be honest: this is the 2011 Natsu Basho. All of the things that supposedly make this not a basho are window dressing. All matches count the same, all yusho will be recorded the same, and people will watch the same matches under the same rules as a normal basho.

They are going through with a basho with yaocho investigations ongoing with rikishi still under suspicion of having engaged in yaocho.

I will be most interested in seeing how the general public reacts to this.

[Keishikazawa 0]

Any word whether or not NHK is going to broadcast this "event"? Or are we going to be relying on the live feed?

Personally I don't think the general public really cares. There were punishments, and if the Ministry, NHK, and the Kyokai are satisfied, they will be too. There are more pressing things on their mind than cheating in sumo. The masses are fickle and are quick to forget things like this... at least until the next thing like this comes to light. Just my opinion though.

[sekitori 492]

Let's be honest: this is the 2011 Natsu Basho. All of the things that supposedly make this not a basho are window dressing. All matches count the same, all yusho will be recorded the same, and people will watch the same matches under the same rules as a normal basho.

They are going through with a basho with yaocho investigations ongoing with rikishi still under suspicion of having engaged in yaocho.

I will be most interested in seeing how the general public reacts to this.

Although there are ongoing investigations, I think the public will assume that the cases of vast majority of those who have been implicated have been settled. Many have been punished and the public will believe that the worst is over. I also think that they will feel that the NSK has made a real effort to do away with yaocho. Whether that feeling has any merit will be reserved for later judgement.

As for the basho or judgement event or whatever you want to call it, its success will depend a great deal on the format. If there is no change in ticket prices from a usual basho and the NSK pockets much of the profits, donating only a small amount to the earthquake and tsunami victims, I doubt if that will go well with the public. The NSK wants to repair its reputation and if tickets are offered at considerably reduced prices with all profits going for the relief of those people, that would be a good start. I think the public will welcome such a gesture. And if the prices paid for tickets to this event are considered as charitable donations and are tax deductible, so much the better.

Ideally, it would be best to hold a free basho with people donating whatever they can for earthquake/tsunami relief, but that may not bring in enough money to make a really significant contribution.

Edited April 7, 2011 by sekitori

[Peterao 3]

Ideally, it would be best to hold a free basho with people donating whatever they can for earthquake/tsunami relief, but that may not bring in enough money to make a really significant contribution.

This system has already been decided.

[Peterao 3]

"Because it is not a Hon-Basho, televising the May sumo event would be difficult." says Mr. Matsumoto, head of NHK. This is because the contract between the NHK and NSK is for televising "6 Hon-Basho a year" and the event which has been described to this point would not be covered by the current contract. "We will await a full explanation from the Kyokai before making any decision."

I guess there is a tangible difference between this and a Hon-Basho after all...

Edited April 7, 2011 by Peterao

[Peterao 3]

It appears likely that, not only will NHK not air the skill tests live, they won't even air a digest version such as the one during the basho of the gambling scandal.

The main reasons for this appear to be financial. A source connected with the Ministry speculates: "NHK stands to lose over 5 billion yen in fees from people who've lost their homes in the disasters, and they are spending billions more in disaster coverage. If they do cover the basho, they'd have to deal with people complaining that 'You're televising the basho even though the yaocho problem hasn't been resolved!' So it is prudent that they simply don't pay the license fees and forego televising the event."

Edited April 8, 2011 by Peterao

[Asashosakari 19,694]

Following complaints from the chaya last week, the Kyokai has decided to make a certain allotment of Natsu tickets available to them on a preferential basis. I'm not sure if it'll amount to the 40-60% they apparently handle for normal tournaments, but it should be a substantial number of the daily 11,000 tickets. This will involve many of the (box) seats close to the dohyo. Distribution strategies for the remaining tickets have yet to be decided.

As part of the "reduced entertainment" feel the Kyokai is going for, they've also come to terms with the chaya about their special provisions, namely that they won't be offering any service in the seating area. Light food and beverages will be available at the hallway stands, but no alcohol and no special rikishi-themed bento boxes and the like.

Edited April 12, 2011 by Asashosakari

[Asashosakari 19,694]

The Mainichi Shimbun company has announced that they won't be funding/producing the customary yusho-gaku picture as the May tournament is not a hon-basho. The unveiling of Hakuho's January picture scheduled for May 7 has also been cancelled, which I take to mean they're going to do the January and July pictures together ahead of Aki basho instead.

Concerning the handling of the distribution of Natsu tickets the rijikai is planning to come to a decision by the end of the week.

Edited April 13, 2011 by Asashosakari

[Peterao 3]

OK, you've convinced me. This is not the 2011 Natsu Basho.

[Kintaro 7]

The Mainichi Shimbun company has announced that they won't be funding/producing the customary yusho-gaku picture as the May tournament is not a hon-basho. The unveiling of Hakuho's January picture scheduled for May 7 has also been cancelled, which I take to mean they're going to do the January and July pictures together ahead of Aki basho instead.

Hmmm... a conspiracy to keep Tochiazuma's picture in the rafters for just a little while longer?

[Peterao 3]

The Mainichi Shimbun company has announced that they won't be funding/producing the customary yusho-gaku picture as the May tournament is not a hon-basho. The unveiling of Hakuho's January picture scheduled for May 7 has also been cancelled, which I take to mean they're going to do the January and July pictures together ahead of Aki basho instead.

Hmmm... a conspiracy to keep Tochiazuma's picture in the rafters for just a little while longer?

We are through the looking glass, people!

I had a feeling that gambling/yaocho was just a smokescreen to cover up something much bigger...

[Asashosakari 19,694]

Renewal Committee chairman Shimamura made a public appeal to NHK to reconsider their decision not to broadcast Natsu basho yesterday. He also displayed his disappointment with the decision to not have a regular honbasho, suggesting that the Kyokai's hand was forced by the Ministry in this regard.

[Asashosakari 19,694]

Ticket distribution schedule (hopefully without errors on my part):

First off, people interested in tickets for Natsu basho will be able to enter a lottery, either on the net via http://sumo-ticket.jp/ or by phone (0570.02.9965), where you can select how many tickets you want and for which day (a limit of 4 tickets per basho day will apply, it seems). Box and chair seats will be treated as separate for this (I think...), but no more detailed seating choices will be available. This lottery will be open for entry from Saturday, 4/23 at 11am to Monday, 4/25 at 11:30pm.

The results of the lottery will be announced on the aforementioned site from 10am on 4/27 (or if you're so inclined, you can probably phone them and ask about your status, too), and the tickets will be available for pickup from konbini ticket stations and the like until 4/28 at 11:30pm. The tickets will be free, but a handling fee of 210 yen or thereabout will apply at the time of pickup.

Then, starting 10am on 4/29 further tickets will be made available on a first-come, first-serve basis, via the same website (I think), the Kyokai's own ticket desk at (0570.02.9503), Ticket Pia at (0570.02.9999) and CN Play Guide at (0570.08.9988). Should anything still be left over after that, day tickets will be available at the Kokugikan as usual, although basho manager Dewanoumi has commented to the effect that they'd like to minimize the lines for that for crowd control reasons and would prefer people to get their tickets ahead of time.

Edit: And perhaps worth mentioning - bringing in your own alcoholic beverages will be prohibited.

Edited April 16, 2011 by Asashosakari

[Jonosuke 28]

Renewal Committee chairman Shimamura made a public appeal to NHK to reconsider their decision not to broadcast Natsu basho yesterday. He also displayed his disappointment with the decision to not have a regular honbasho, suggesting that the Kyokai's hand was forced by the Ministry in this regard.

While Shimamura graduated from Ryogoku High School and one time Education Minister, if there is anyone that the Kyokao should have never picked for their committee, it is this ultra nationalist. Some considered him to be totally devoid of common sense (I guess many in the Kyokai are already in this group but I digress).

Shimamura was a driving force behind a committee to have all Diet members to visit the Yasukuni Shrine to pay the respect and to show their resolve not to swayed by anger shown by those neighboring nations as well as making a controversial statement regarding so called "comfort women" during World War II that they were recruited by Chinese and Koreans and not by Japanese military.

He can talk all he wants but for most mainstream media, his credibility is non-existent, least of all NHK. This geezer is nothing more than a fool in the hill.

[Peterao 3]

Renewal Committee chairman Shimamura made a public appeal to NHK to reconsider their decision not to broadcast Natsu basho yesterday. He also displayed his disappointment with the decision to not have a regular honbasho, suggesting that the Kyokai's hand was forced by the Ministry in this regard.

While Shimamura graduated from Ryogoku High School and one time Education Minister, if there is anyone that the Kyokao should have never picked for their committee, it is this ultra nationalist.

On the contrary, he's representative of a good portion of the high paying fan base that purchase the near dohyo seats and belong to the Koenkais that the Kyokai caters to...

[Manekineko 200]

I'm sorry to be asking what has probably been answered before, but I can't find it: will the results of this not-quite-basho be counted in official records (for example, will it contribute to KaioU's hunt for all-time wins record, or Hakuho's new undefeated attempt)?

[Kintamayama 45,567]

I'm sorry to be asking what has probably been answered before, but I can't find it: will the results of this not-quite-basho be counted in official records (for example, will it contribute to KaioU's hunt for all-time wins record, or Hakuho's new undefeated attempt)?

Yes.

[Peterao 3]

Though it was already assumed to be the case, NHK officially announced that they would not be covering this event in either live or digest format, though they may use footage from the event in news broadcasts.

[Asashosakari 19,694]

BTW, since it hasn't been mentioned yet: The Kyokai-approved English name for the upcoming tournament is "May Technical Examination Tournament".

[Kintamayama 45,567]

The basho will be streamed on the Kyokai net as usual and more. "There is a plan to show more bouts.." said someone close. As for the monoii feed which usually came from the NHK, the plan is to use 5 cameras acquired by the Kyokai. If possible, there are plans to even show footage from the shitakubeya. This also comes after NHK decided to cancel the broadcast on BS1 which used to start around 13:00. "We want to somehow put the new system into place this basho.." said someone who knows. So maybe we in the abroad will finally be seeing early bouts..

[Asashosakari 19,694]

The basho will be streamed on the Kyokai net as usual and more. "There is a plan to show more bouts.." said someone close. As for the monoii feed which usually came from the NHK, the plan is to use 5 cameras acquired by the Kyokai. If possible, there are plans to even show footage from the shitakubeya. This also comes after NHK decided to cancel the broadcast on BS1 which used to start around 13:00. "We want to somehow put the new system into place this basho.." said someone who knows. So maybe we in the abroad will finally be seeing early bouts..

As for more bouts, one article states that the stream could "start in makushita", whatever that means in practice. (Last five as we got in the past, middle of the division, all of it?) Another article insinuates that quake-related equipment procurement issues (plus delays introduced by the yaocho issue taking precedence) may force them to go with a limited number of cameras for now, perhaps three, with the rest to be installed later on.

Well, if anything, this May basho will make for a good testing ground for this setup, given that it's likely going to become permanent for the BS2 issue alone.

(BTW, if you're going off the Sponichi article - isn't it talking about broadcasting to the shitaku-beya, not from it...?)

Edited April 21, 2011 by Asashosakari

[Haruibono 11]

Will the online sumo picking be operating? (In a state of confusion...)

[Kintamayama 45,567]

(BTW, if you're going off the Sponichi article - isn't it talking about broadcasting to the shitaku-beya, not from it...?)

Doesn't "from' mean the same as "to"? My English..

[Kofuji 0]

Will the online sumo picking be operating? (In a state of confusion...)

Pretty much only if the torikumi is announced more or less on the usual schedule. If they hold it to the day of the bouts, it will be too late to do entries for much of the world.

[Haruibono 11]

Will the online sumo picking be operating? (In a state of confusion...)

Pretty much only if the torikumi is announced more or less on the usual schedule. If they hold it to the day of the bouts, it will be too late to do entries for much of the world.

Thanx!!! (Sign of approval...)