madorosumaru 7 Posted September 13, 2011 (edited) Masses of empty masu seats even after naka-iri . . . Photo Capacity: 11,000 Day 1 - 6,300 Day 2 - 5,300 The 5,682 unsold tickets for Day 2 set an all-time record since the opening of Ryogoku Kokugikan in 1985. The number of unsold tickets broke the previous record of 5,118 set on Day 3 of Hatsu Basho in January of this year. Previous "Joint is Empty" Threads Edited September 13, 2011 by madorosumaru Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bugman 383 Posted September 13, 2011 The main thing that attracted me to Sumo in the first place was the unique cultural aspect of it, i have always been a fan of people's culture and traditions from all over the world including that of my own home country, i always been fascinated by these unique and irreplaceable ways of life, and it saddens me to think that there isn't more support for Sumo. I realise that the yaocho scandal must have been hard to take, i too was very disappointed to find that some matches "lacked spirit" on purpose, but as Asashosakari said to me when i disappointedly found this out and was ready to quit watching Sumo, "don't throw the baby out with the bathwater", i realised that Sumo is about so much more than just who wins or loses, and that it wasn't just the competitive aspect that i was interested in, far from it. Now that the yaocho has been tackled by the authorities, i hope the japanese people and all Sumo fans will go back to watch and rekindle their interest, because like any country that loses a much loved cultural tradition, if Sumo were to disappear they would realise too late and deeply regret what has been lost in the long-run, i hope Sumo will regain it's strength through it's rikishi and it's viewers. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Afrozuna 8 Posted September 15, 2011 Please remember we are in the middle of what is shaping up to be a double dip recession. People are watching their spending and prioritising food and other basics. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bugman 383 Posted September 15, 2011 Please remember we are in the middle of what is shaping up to be a double dip recession. People are watching their spending and prioritising food and other basics. Yes that is very true, indeed everything suffers during a recession. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kotoviki 16 Posted September 17, 2011 Please remember we are in the middle of what is shaping up to be a double dip recession. People are watching their spending and prioritising food and other basics. but the ones who can are still spending like crazy for the expensive masu seats with ochaya sets over 100,000 a box... They aren't holding back.. that part stays the same... (Sign of approval...) couldn't believe when I was outside with Onomatsu oyakata at the yokozuna dohyoiri that they were still selling tickets with a huge line of people waiting to get in... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
madorosumaru 7 Posted September 17, 2011 On the seventh dayof Aki Basho, Kyokai "created" an SRO and unfurled the "Manin-Onrei" banners from above. Was the joint full? Not really. NSK announced that 2,799 tickets remained unsold, so that would make attendance at the 11,000-capacity Kokugikan 8,201. Plenty of upper masu boxes and second floor chair seats were unoccupied. There is no "official" standard for what constitutes an "SRO." For a Tokyo Basho, the NSK PR Director, Dewanoumi Oyakata, would be the one to decide. In this case, 3/4 full was enough for Manin-Onrei. A news source mentioned that, in contrast, during the Waka-Taka Boom, Ozumo would not declare a full house even when a dozen or so tickets remained unsold. When asked about whether they were jumping the gun a bit, someone from the PR department explained, "We sort of did it for luck." Hanaregoma Rijicho was not all smiles, but he did say, "Well, it was a Saturday, and in any case, [the larger crowd] has to be seen as a good thing." So far, the attendance at the basho has been: Day 1 - 6,300 Day 2 - 5,300 Day 3 - Day 4 - Day 5 - 5,600 Day 6 - 5,800 Day 7 - 8,200 Sankei Sports did not publish attendance figures for Day 3 and Day 4. According to those who attended on those days, the crowd was just as or even more sparse than for Day 2. It would appear that after the media made a fuss about an all-time low crowd for Day 2, the Kyokai simply did not want any more bad publicity and refrained from releasing any attendance numbers. When the situation improved if ever so slightly on Day 5 (an uptick as they say on Wall Street), they resumed announcement of attendance figures. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ilovesumo 12 Posted September 17, 2011 You are not allowed any more to go to the first floor with a cheap ticket. You get the same you had for 1333 yen (each day) now for over 9000 - means you cannot go every day any more, might not have the best eye sight any more and just think it's more convenient to watch at home...one of the nice grand papas just said the new rule affects even more people then the scandals. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
madorosumaru 7 Posted September 17, 2011 (edited) Please remember we are in the middle of what is shaping up to be a double dip recession. People are watching their spending and prioritising food and other basics. but the ones who can are still spending like crazy for the expensive masu seats with ochaya sets over 100,000 a box... They aren't holding back.. that part stays the same... (In jonokuchi...) A little perspective. On Sunday, when shonichi attendance was a paltry 6,300: Yomiuri Giants, the ever-popular baseball team, drew 39,722 for a 2 pm game at the Tokyo Dome, not very far from the Kokugikan. That same evening, Yakult Swallows, not nearly as popular as the Giants, played Hanshin Tigers at Jingu Stadium in front of almost 22,000 fans. The attendance at the Lotte vs Rakuten game in Chiba was 16,500. What about J-League soccer? Three of the nine Week 25 games were played on Sunday. The game between Kawasaki Frontale and Vissel Kobe at Todoroki Stadium attracted a crowd of 15,000. Edited September 17, 2011 by madorosumaru Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
yorikiried by fate 1,983 Posted September 17, 2011 One question: Quite some of you boys and girls seem to be pretty well connected to the people in charge. I mean, some of you talk to oyakatas on a regular basis, for crying out loud. Did no-one ever articulate the causality mentioned in this thread here, or do they refuse to listen? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Asashosakari 18,156 Posted September 17, 2011 One question: Quite some of you boys and girls seem to be pretty well connected to the people in charge. I mean, some of you talk to oyakatas on a regular basis, for crying out loud. Did no-one ever articulate the causality mentioned in this thread here, or do they refuse to listen? Their hands are tied by Ministry edict on this. Of course, considering Japan just had another of its frequent cabinet reorgs - including a new guy in charge of MEXT - perhaps there's an opening to get that policy reversed now...? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ilovesumo 12 Posted September 18, 2011 One question: Quite some of you boys and girls seem to be pretty well connected to the people in charge. I mean, some of you talk to oyakatas on a regular basis, for crying out loud. Did no-one ever articulate the causality mentioned in this thread here, or do they refuse to listen? Their hands are tied by Ministry edict on this. Of course, considering Japan just had another of its frequent cabinet reorgs - including a new guy in charge of MEXT - perhaps there's an opening to get that policy reversed now...? One person mentioned this has to do with the current Rijichou. The source said if Takanohana takes over (and he hopes that will happen really soon), the seat-policy gets back to normal and many things will change. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Fay 1,677 Posted September 18, 2011 One question: Quite some of you boys and girls seem to be pretty well connected to the people in charge. I mean, some of you talk to oyakatas on a regular basis, for crying out loud. Did no-one ever articulate the causality mentioned in this thread here, or do they refuse to listen? All oyakata I talked to in the last 6 months (and also Hanaregoma Oyakata) are against the new rule. They all say it's against the fans. But as Asashosakari said, it's a ministry decision and not a Kyokai's one. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
madorosumaru 7 Posted September 18, 2011 (edited) Despite many empty seats, "Manin Onrei," the second of Aki Basho, was declared for Day 8. Photo Update: Attendance for Nakabi was announced as 8,800, the best so far this basho, but well short of capacity (11,000). Day 1 - 6,300 Day 2 - 5,300 Day 3 - Day 4 - Day 5 - 5,600 Day 6 - 5,800 Day 7 - 8,200 Day 8 - 8,800 A committee to promote ticket sales met on the 18th to discuss ways to increase attendance. This group consists of 30 Kyokai members including the 13 oyakata in charge of ticket sales and regional basho plus gyoji and yobidashi. They discussed matters such as ticket pricing and will present suggestions at the directors' meeting after the basho. Edited September 18, 2011 by madorosumaru Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kotoviki 16 Posted September 18, 2011 One question: Quite some of you boys and girls seem to be pretty well connected to the people in charge. I mean, some of you talk to oyakatas on a regular basis, for crying out loud. Did no-one ever articulate the causality mentioned in this thread here, or do they refuse to listen? This rule is from the monbusho and the kyokai were getting thousands of calls a day at first complaining about this rule. Also every oyakata I know said this is hurting attendance but their hands are tied. Two months ago some oyakata had a meeting to try to change the rule to say the people could sit downstairs until 2pm and that all tickets would be checked at that time (before the juryo dohyoiri) and those with 2nd floor tickets would have to go upstairs. This is fine with me too! And for most people I know they didn't mind this as the most important sumo is before juryo... When this idea was taken to the monbusho it was dismissed as impossible.. (Whatever above, it is funny...) I can't afford another basho buying masu tickets every day.. I'll stop going myself soon except for a few days during each basho but not every day anymore! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jonosuke 28 Posted September 18, 2011 I believe one reason for this rule to prevent so-called organized crime members from sitting at a Sunakaburi seat for all to see on TV land. Since they do have all video surveillance as well as some police officers with organized crime unit placed around the venue now, this rule is really an overkill. There are as many fans travelling afar to see their local boys do good climbing up the ranks, the rule does not really contribute to Ozumo's well being really. Since you can't eat or drink at a Sunakaburi section at all and you can't sit there all day, most folks who have the ticket won't show up before Makushtia bouts so why not let all the others take advantage of cheering young kids up close and personal. I don't really see any harm in letting others sit there until the legitimate occupant shows up. With now NHK not showing the bouts starting from 1 PM, I would say let the place open till the Juryo dohyo-iri. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kotoviki 16 Posted September 20, 2011 I believe one reason for this rule to prevent so-called organized crime members from sitting at a Sunakaburi seat for all to see on TV land. Since they do have all video surveillance as well as some police officers with organized crime unit placed around the venue now, this rule is really an overkill. There are as many fans travelling afar to see their local boys do good climbing up the ranks, the rule does not really contribute to Ozumo's well being really. Since you can't eat or drink at a Sunakaburi section at all and you can't sit there all day, most folks who have the ticket won't show up before Makushtia bouts so why not let all the others take advantage of cheering young kids up close and personal. I don't really see any harm in letting others sit there until the legitimate occupant shows up. With now NHK not showing the bouts starting from 1 PM, I would say let the place open till the Juryo dohyo-iri. The entire reason for this rule is to prevent the yakuza crime members from sitting in the tamari or even the masu seats in the TV angles.. my friend in the monbusho confirmed this as well (since I work for the monbusho myself in Tokyo metro schools I asked someone to get some info for me.) But it is entirely pointless as anyone in the yakuza or connected will have a 1st floor ticket. They're not going to try to sneak in with a 2nd floor ticket. Best to scan each face at the entrance, take a fingerprint, whatever..show id... then let sumo go on inside!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
madorosumaru 7 Posted September 21, 2011 Day 1 - 6,300 Day 2 - 5,300 ... All-time low Day 3 - DNA Day 4 - DNA Day 5 - 5,600 Day 6 - 5,800 Day 7 - 8,200 ... Manin Onrei declared Day 8 - 8,800 ... Manin Onrei declared Day 9 - 6,550 Day 10 DNA For the third time in 10 days, NSK did not announce (DNA) the number of unsold tickets and thus Sankei Sports did not publish the daily attendance figure. Let's look at some other numbers.  Video Research Ltd., a consulting firm that publishes weekly ratings for television, reported that viewership for shonich on Sunday, Sept. 11, was 8.9%. Ratings improved to 10.7% for Day 7 on the following Saturday. How do those numbers compare with other sports telecasts? Well, the Olympic qualifying match in women's soccer between Japan and North Korea on Thurs., Sept. 8, attracted a whopping 25.2%. Nadeshiko Japan is, of course, enjoying tremendous popularity ever since its victory in women's World Cup. Their Monday game against Australia drew 19.7%. What about men's soccer? Japan's World Cup qualifying match against Uzbekistan on Tuesday had a viewership of 20.9%. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
specialweek 2 136 Posted September 21, 2011 DNA maybe posted after day 11 as well. Typhoon guaranteed to keep them away. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
yorikiried by fate 1,983 Posted September 21, 2011 (edited) DNA maybe posted after day 11 as well. Typhoon guaranteed to keep them away. For a second here I thought you're a spambot trying to sell drugs. Edited September 21, 2011 by yorikiried by fate Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jonosuke 28 Posted September 21, 2011 With a major Typhoon making a direct hit on Tokyo, why anyone would want to come over to the Kokugikan on a day like today is beyond me. Most of Tokyo area train even stopped running in the evening, not sure how everyone got home tongiht. Basically I find no good reason to be there unless there is a flood warning for Sumida-gawa and you need to evacuate on the second floor. Sometimes there are good reasons for attendance fluctuations. For TV ratings, Japan went crazy on the Nadeshiko Japan winning the world cup and the people were really keen on their Olympic qualifiers, which were more or less a series of one time special events. A regular baseball (not the High School ones at the Koshien) or J-League broadcast ratings may be more of frame of reference. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
madorosumaru 7 Posted September 23, 2011 Day 1 - 6,300 Day 2 - 5,300 ... All-time low Day 3 - DNA Day 4 - DNA Day 5 - 5,600 Day 6 - 5,800 Day 7 - 8,200 ... Manin Onrei declared Day 8 - 8,800 ... Manin Onrei declared Day 9 - 6,550 Day 10 - DNA Day 11 - DNA ... Typhoon Warning Day 12 - 6,300 Day 13 - 7,650 Another DNA for Day 11 but that was the day Typhoon Roke struck Tokyo. Actually, there were a surprisingly number of people at the Kokugikan who braved the weather when neighboring Tokyo Dome postponed the Giants game. Kyokai resumed releasing attendance figures for Day 12 and Day 13 as the crowds were more respectable. The final two days should be "Manin Onrei"--such as they are. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
madorosumaru 7 Posted September 24, 2011 The largest crowd of the basho, 9,500, attended Day 14. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ilovesumo 12 Posted September 25, 2011 Anybody prep.ing the hatakikomi-stats? Senshuraku aint worth seeing... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Doitsuyama 1,170 Posted September 25, 2011 Anybody prep.ing the hatakikomi-stats? Senshuraku aint worth seeing... I must disagree so far. Only two hatakikomi in the sekitori ranks until now. One hikiotoshi, two tsukiotoshi, but the tsukiotoshi from Satoyama came in one of the hardest fought bouts with a lot on the line, so kimarite aren't everything. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ilovesumo 12 Posted September 25, 2011 I count the tries as well. (Yucky...) And the Okinoumi bout was super-exciting.. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites