Preparrazioni di tutti masses -Hatsu 2015

[Kintamayama 45,565]

Ichinojou came for degeiko for the first time to Oitekaze beya today and faced Endou in 14 bouts. they have faced each other before during jungyo but this is the first time they meet in a heya. Ichinojou was seen letting his upper body get too high and was beaten by yorikiri more than once. It was 9-5 in Endou's favor. "Well, there's tomorrow so I shall gambarize.." he said. He plans to visit Oitekaze beya tomorrow as well. "If he faces rikishi who are good at sumo, he will learn a lot. Endou is a worthy opponent!" declared Minato Oyakata, Ichinojou's stable master.

Endou was looking good, grabbing the front of the mawashi and pulling, using tsuki and oshi well. "I don't have much opportunity to train with opponents THAT big.. I'd like to take advantage of that. I don't want to win by trickery and deceit-I want to keep in mind that I have to move forward.." said Endou with a happy face.

Not a happy face:

[krindel 675]

Ichinojou came for degeiko for the first time to Oitekaze beya today and faced Endou in 14 bouts. they have faced each other before during jungyo but this is the first time they meet in a heya. Ichinojou was seen letting his upper body get too high and was beaten by yorikiri more than once. It was 9-5 in Endou's favor. "Well, there's tomorrow so I shall gambarize.." he said. He plans to visit Oitekaze beya tomorrow as well. "If he faces rikishi who are good at sumo, he will learn a lot. Endou is a worthy opponent!" declared Minato Oyakata, Ichinojou's stable master.

Endou was looking good, grabbing the front of the mawashi and pulling, using tsuki and oshi well. "I don't have much opportunity to train with opponents THAT big.. I'd like to take advantage of that. I don't want to win by trickery and deceit-I want to keep in mind that I have to move forward.." said Endou with a happy face.

Not a happy face:

Let me guess... Ichinojo has the measles this time and can't train properly?

[Akinomaki 40,833]

Ichinojou came for degeiko for the first time to Oitekaze beya today and faced Endou in 14 bouts. they have faced each other before during jungyo but this is the first time they meet in a heya. Ichinojou was seen letting his upper body get too high and was beaten by yorikiri more than once. It was 9-5 in Endou's favor.

Let me guess... Ichinojo has the measles this time and can't train properly?

The next day he was 8-1, being especially careful with the tachi-ai - he was just studying his opponent the first day.

http://www.nikkansports.com/sports/sumo/news/f-sp-tp3-20141223-1412649.html

[Kintamayama 45,565]

Ichinojou after his revenge:

"I think I did somewhat better than yesterday. If I get a better tachiai against Endou, I'm OK , Yesterday, I injured my head when I attempted a weird tachiai. It was so bad I wasn't sure if I would come for keiko today," said the laconic iconic rikishi.

[Kintamayama 45,565]

The rikishi had their weigh-in today. Hakuhou tipped the scales at 160 kilos, his heaviest ever. "Huh?" he said, surprised. Ichinojou is now 202 kilos. He is the 17th sekitori to cross the 200 kilo threshold and is ranked 15th in weight. "I'm relieved. I thought I was 210 or something and was thinking of what to do about it.." he said. He weighed 199 in Kyushu and 183 when he joined sumo a year ago. "Over 200 is an animal.. Inside the 200, it's human.." he said in self derision. He stopped eating between meals during the jungyo and cut down on his sweets intake dramatically. "I'm not eating anymore.. I want to be 195 kilos at the start of the basho," he wished.

Endou lost 4 kilos and is now 146 kilos.

Edited December 29, 2014 by Kintamayama

[Kintamayama 45,565]

Summary of the Ichinojou-Endou rivalry- Ichinojou came for the fourth straight day to Oitekaze beya and faced Endou again. 3-6 today, bringing their overall head to heads to 20-22 over the last four days. "He's going to be my rival all the way.." said Ichinojou. Ichinojou's boss Minato Oyakata intends to see Ichinojou train with Endou on a regular basis.

"Hmm..strange mage.. looks like a towel."

Edited December 28, 2014 by Kintamayama

[Yubinhaad 11,768]

Some keiko pictures from two heya, beginning with a visit to Oitekaze-beya from the last few days.

Daishoho and Daishoryu in action as the heya's Makushita rikishi do some moshiai keiko.

Daieisho waiting to get involved, while Daishoumi tries to gracefully back out of the picture.

Degeiko visitor Ichinojo warms up with suriashi on the sidelines.

Daieisho now in action, here pushing out Kawabata.

Endo keeps an eye on the keiko while warming up.

The heya's two sekitori take each other on now, Daieisho vs. Endo.

Ichinojo now in the ring for a bout against Endo.

The Sekiwake throws some salt ahead of a bout against Daieisho.

Minato-oyakata (former Maegashira Minatofuji) gives some advice to his star pupil.

Ichinojo keeping warm with some shiko.

Endo doing some butsugari-keiko, lending his chest to the heya's younger rikishi.

And Ichinojo also did some butsugari-keiko, here with Abiko.

Meditative sonkyo brought the session to an end.

Daishowaka and Daieisho share a laugh with the heya's non-Kyokai coach Nishino (former Juryo Daishodai) following the end of the session.

Daieisho with a 2015 calendar which will be available at the Kokugikan during the basho.

Endo was in a relaxed mood following keiko.

And now to Minato-beya earlier today.

Ichinojo is of course the star presence of the heya, so we go straight to him in the ring.

Hamaminato shown in the ring ahead of a practice bout.

Ichinojo taking a break.

Minatoryu is the recipient of Ichinojo's charge during some butsugari-keiko.

A young visitor, perhaps a future recruit for the heya, also did some butsugari-keiko with Minatosho.

Ichinojo with the poster for the Hatsu basho following the end of keiko.

And with the 2015 calendar - it'll be a while yet before he has an oichomage of his own.

[Yubinhaad 11,768]

Away from the serious business of keiko, tis also the season to pound mochi, so here are some pictures of that. First, Odake-beya on December 27th.

Rikishi from Kitanoumi-beya were here for degeiko on this day; Osunaarashi is shown here with visitor Aiyama.

Osunaarashi and visitor Kitataiki trying to figure out this selfie thing, and throwing some shapes.

Aiyama again, behind him is stablemate Kitaharima.

Finally, sewanin Yuho does some hammering.

And now to Tamanoi-beya yesterday.

Oazuma with the hammer.

Juryo-ranked Fujiazuma takes his turn.

Azumasato.

Toseima hammers while Tsugaruumi does the kneading, making sure to keep well out of the way of the hammer.

Motokiyama and Irie in relaxed mood.

Irie shows Azumasato how not to wear your special nejiri hachimaki.

Notoazuma and Irie pose for a picture with newcomer Yamamoto, who participated in maezumo last basho and is now ranked on the banzuke for the first time.

Veteran Yoshiazuma takes his turn with the hammer.

Finally, the shisho (former Ozeki Tochiazuma) puts the hammer down.

[inhashi 2,363]

am I seeing things or does it seem Endo has lost noticeable weight?

[Kuroyama 715]

am I seeing things or does it seem Endo has lost noticeable weight?

Endou lost 4 kilos and is now 146 kilos.

[Yubinhaad 11,768]

Pictures from the Kyokai of keiko at Takadagawa-beya, on December 27th.

Rikishi from Kataonami-beya came for degeiko on this day - sekitori Tamaasuka and Tamawashi are shown warming up with shiko and push-ups. In the background is Takadagawa's own sekitori Kagayaki, while Daikamikaze is on the right.

Hokuo and Otakayama grapple in a practice bout. Waiting for their turn on the tawara are Daikamikaze, visitors Tamakaizan and Tamakongo, and Daijo.

The shisho, former Sekiwake Akinoshima, still puts on his white keiko mawashi and keeps himself in shape.

In this particular session he was giving his star pupil Kagayaki some tachi-ai instruction.

Back in the ring, Tamaasuka gets pushed out by heavyweight Akinoyama.

Hakuyozan and Kagayaki begin a bout.

Akinokawa and Tamawashi get ready to start their bout.

Visitors Tamadaiki and Tamaasuka in action.

The sekitori now take each other on, Kagayaki and Tamaasuka in this one.

And now Tamawashi and Kagayaki.

Takadagawa-oyakata gives some technical advice to Tamadaiki.

Keiko concludes with some meditative sonkyo, of course.

Tamawashi with the Hatsu basho poster.

[Benevolance 2,511]

Forget a Japanese yokozuna; if Endo can slim down to Takanoyama's weight, the girls will go crazy and sumo will be saved.

[Naganoyama 5,949]

Either that or develop a pre-bout shtick and become the new Takamisakari.

[Yukinohana 7]

Or be a rank-and-file Maegashira resident like Kyokutenho, since the latter one doesn't have an eternity left (... or does he? ;) )

Edited January 2, 2015 by Yukinohana

[Kintamayama 45,565]

Sekiwake Aoiyama was looking good at the Dewanoumi Ichimon rengo keiko today, having 30 bouts. He beat Ozeki Goueidou 3 times ( Goueidou lost only 4 today overall..), showing powerful tsuki-oshi and slaps. He also beat Tochiouzan, Myougiryuu and Joukouryuu with great de-ashi.

TV Commentator and ex-Yokozuna Kitanofuji: "Watching him today, one must feel that Ozeki is not just a dream for him.."

"I think this will be the year for me to attempt the next step-Ozeki. If I don't get injured, I can do it," said a pumped up Aoiyama.

Edited January 3, 2015 by Kintamayama

[Kintamayama 45,565]

Tochinoshin has come down with the flu and did not participate in the DIRK today. Kasugano Oyakata has revealed that he and heyamate Tochihiryuu are both sick since December 30th. "The fever has gone down so I expect to see him in training tomorrow," said the Oyakata.

Edited January 3, 2015 by Kintamayama

[Yubinhaad 11,768]

Some pictures from a Nishonoseki ichimon rengo keiko session, which was held yesterday at the new Nishonoseki-beya, the artist formerly known as Matsugane-beya. Kintamayama covered the press angle here.

A nice new signboard has been put in place outside the entrance to the heya.

Nishonoseki-oyakata (former Ozeki Wakashimazu), his wife and the heyagashira Shohozan posed for pictures with the old and new signboards.

In the keikoba, Makushita rikishi get the practice underway.

Takayasu watches from the left as the Makushita rikishi do their keiko.

Kisenosato warms up with suriashi and shiko before taking a break and watching the action.

Akinoyama and Tamadaiki have a practice bout.

Kagayaki watches the keiko.

Shohozan and Tamawashi had a vigorous series of oshi-zumo bouts.

A closer look at Shohozan.

Kisenosato throws in some salt ahead of a bout against Shohozan.

An all-Ozeki clash now as Kisenosato and Kotoshogiku meet for a series of bouts.

Kotoshogiku takes a breather following the sanbangeiko.

Sakigake offers some water to Tamaasuka.

Tamawashi does some butsugari-keiko with Takayasu.

And now Tamaasuka does the same thing with Shohozan.

Tamawashi is the recipient now, as Kisenosato returns to the dohyo.

The session concludes with the usual basics and meditative sonkyo.

Kisenosato chats to reporters following the end of keiko.

[Yubinhaad 11,768]

Pictures from the Kyokai of asageiko at Asahiyama-beya. Probably our last look at this heya, which will close following the Hatsu basho ahead of the shisho's upcoming mandatory retirement.

Heya ranking board.

The heya's five basic principles are displayed on the wall, and the rikishi recite them together at the end of each keiko session.

Daitenpaku gets some advice from sewanin Saisu.

The shisho (former Ozeki Daiju) still keeps active, shown here doing some push-ups against the agari-zashiki.

Manazuru and Koju have a practice bout. Koju is the heya's longest-serving rikishi, entering sumo almost fifteen years ago.

Banjaku now on the left for a practice bout with Koju.

Daikosei does some butsugari-keiko, driving Daitenpaku back across the dohyo.

Basic exercises and meditative sonkyo brings the session to an end.

After the keikoba is swept, the loose sand is formed into a mound in the centre of the dohyo. Daikosei is shown shaping the mound to give it five sides, which if I recall correctly is to represent the five elements of yin-yang. He then places the gohei, a Shinto symbol, and scatters salt across the dohyo.

The rikishi of Asahiyama-beya pose for a commemorative picture in front of the heya signboard. Front row from left: Daiisshin, Daikosei and Genju. Back row from left: Koju, Daitenpaku, Banjaku and Manazuru. Wakaimonogashira Shiraiwa joins them in the second shot.

Speaking of gohei - a while back the Kyokai posted a few pictures showing Juryo gyoji Kimura Kankuro making a gohei, which I was keeping for just such an occasion.

A gohei is made from 21 sheets of Nishinouchi-gami, a type of paper also used for woodblock prints, and tied with six pieces of mizuhiki, decorative cord made from twisted paper.

Cutting the paper.

Making the folds.

The completed gohei, minus the rod it will be tied to.

And another shot of a completed gohei in place.

[Kintamayama 45,565]

Three days ago- Ichinojou did battle with Aoiyama- 397 kilos between them. 7-13 in favor of Aoiyama. This happened at Tokitsukaze beya. He was 8-16 on the day, facing Yokozuna Kakuryuu twice as well. "I want to grab the mawashi after the tachiai but it's really difficult.." he said later.

[Kintamayama 45,565]

3 days ago at the Tokitsukaze keiko session. Tochiouzan did rather well, going 10-10 against Yokozuna Kakuryuu. He was seen heartily throwing the Yokozuna out of the training ring. "If I can constantly do good tachiai, the flow will be good and I will be able to do good sumo.." he said.

[Kintamayama 45,565]

Ichinojou went for degeiko at Tokitsukaze beya yesterday but did not train, complaining of pain in his shoulder and lower back, which was heavily taped. Minato Oyakata has asked him to be careful, and he himself stated he can't generate any power in his shoulder.

Edited January 8, 2015 by Kintamayama

[Yubinhaad 11,768]

The Kyokai posted some abbreviated coverage of dohyo construction and other basho prep, so I don't think there's a need for a separate thread.

Dohyo:

Carving out the hole for the shizumemono.

Installing the tamari-seki seating areas.

Finally, three shots from the dohyo-matsuri. The participating gyoji are Kimura Shonosuke, Shikimori Yodayu and Kimura Yonosuke.

Itabanzuke and torikumi scrolls.

Kimura Shoji and Kimura Takanosuke were the writers of the itabanzuke for this basho.

Elsewhere, other gyoji are preparing the scrolls which will be used by the torikumi committee during the basho.

Kimura Ryosuke writes a Jonokuchi division scroll.

Shikimori Kinosuke writes a Sandanme division scroll.

And Kimura Satoshi writes a Makushita division scroll.

[shimodahito 317]

This behind-the-scenes stuff - unparalleled in other sports - is fascinating. And one of the reasons sumo rocks....

-constructing the dohyo

-fabricating the tachi sword

-calligraphy of the banzuke

-chanko nabe recipes

THANKS FOR THESE POSTS and PICTURES!!!!

Edited January 11, 2015 by shimodahito