Basho Talk - Kyushu Basho 2015 +++ Spoiler Alert! +++

[Kintamayama 44,646]

Senior tokoyama Tokosado reached the mandatory retirement age on Day 3. He originally joined Sadogatake-beya as a rikishi, but soon afterwards the heya's tokoyama retired. The young rikishi of the heya shared the duties, and Yasuda proved to be the most skillful, so after persisting for eight basho on the dohyo he retired and became the heya's new tokoyama. As is the custom when a mandatory retirement happens mid-basho, he will continue working until senshuraku, and will then retire after 46 years as a tokoyama.

Back in June, all of the tokoyama got together to throw a farewell party to mark the approaching retirements of Tokoyasu (in July) and Tokosado.

Is Tokosado the one wearing the Toko- xedo? (Is there a groan emoticon?)

Edited November 16, 2015 by Kintamayama

[Gurowake 4,012]

I'm not even joking when I say that I think Shohozan has a shot here at taking this. He's looking so good and so confident right now that I think it's a possibility.

From a 1-14 exit to a 14-1 on return? He'll probably need that many. He'd presumably have to get through Yoshikaze and Tochiozan and maybe the M1s as well, although probably not any Ozeki.

[Kasutera 258]

Senior tokoyama Tokosado reached the mandatory retirement age on Day 3. He originally joined Sadogatake-beya as a rikishi, but soon afterwards the heya's tokoyama retired. The young rikishi of the heya shared the duties, and Yasuda proved to be the most skillful, so after persisting for eight basho on the dohyo he retired and became the heya's new tokoyama. As is the custom when a mandatory retirement happens mid-basho, he will continue working until senshuraku, and will then retire after 46 years as a tokoyama.

Back in June, all of the tokoyama got together to throw a farewell party to mark the approaching retirements of Tokoyasu (in July) and Tokosado.

Is Tokosado the one wearing the Toko- xedo? (Is there a groan emoticon?)

[Dwale 419]

Yoshikaze's victory was a delight. Osunaarashi has a tough week ahead and not a lot of wiggle room, but I'll be cheering for him no matter what happens. And what's this, is Ichinojo suddenly firing on all cylinders?

I can't help but cheer for Takayasu, he won me over with his toukon.

I had overlooked Shouhozan before, but this time around he has forced me to take note. Kanpai!

[Tenshinhan 1,605]

I'm not even joking when I say that I think Shohozan has a shot here at taking this. He's looking so good and so confident right now that I think it's a possibility.

From a 1-14 exit to a 14-1 on return? He'll probably need that many. He'd presumably have to get through Yoshikaze and Tochiozan and maybe the M1s as well, although probably not any Ozeki.

Well, he could be the second rikishi in history (after Ryogoku 1914) to win a juryo and a makuuchi yusho consecutively...

[808morgan 805]

And out you go

Edited November 17, 2015 by 808morgan

[d_golem 213]

And out you go

Wonder why Yoshi decided to carry Tochi all the way across the dohyo and pushed him out "gently" rather than toppling him to the ground after he got his left leg? Momentum? Excitement/adrenaline? Or maybe just to afford Tochi a more "dignified" loss? Whatever the reason, it was magnificent to watch.

[taresu 38]

And out you go

thank you so much, i literally updated this page the whole day waiting for this gif hahaha.

And day ten start with akira feelings again with Henko today, and Okuma just kept running out from Dohyo, funny to watch. (Laughing...)

[Dwale 419]

And out you go

Wonder why Yoshi decided to carry Tochi all the way across the dohyo and pushed him out "gently" rather than toppling him to the ground after he got his left leg? Momentum? Excitement/adrenaline? Or maybe just to afford Tochi a more "dignified" loss? Whatever the reason, it was magnificent to watch.

I don't know, but my girlfriend loved it!

[Ryoshishokunin 275]

Yorikiri my foot. Or rather, Tochinoshin's...

[sumojoann 1,262]

Why do I get the feeling that if Hakuho wins this yusho, he will announce his retirement during the post-yusho interview? After he wins his bout and then sits on the floor next to the dohyo, he generally has a neutral look on his face. This basho seems to me to be noticeably different. The first two days, he had a peculiar look on his face, almost disturbed-looking. After the first two days, he still looked like he had a lot on his mind. But yesterday after his bout with Goeido, he sat on the floor with a strange, bittersweet look on his face, almost as if he was reminiscing. I watched the live broadcast on TV Japan. The cameraman lingered for a very long time on Hakuho's face. It was awash with emotion. There were obviously a lot of thoughts and feelings occurring simultaneously. It almost seemed like he was reflecting on his whole career or life itself. I do not believe this had anything whatsoever to do with his bout with Goeido.

Hakuho's face has always been very expressive, which can at times be frightening. At other times, his vulnerability can be moving. His happiness a joy to witness. But to see him lost in thought and close to tears as he sat next to the dohyo after his bout yesterday, made me wonder if a life-changing event in his life was about to occur. An event connected with sumo.

There are those, perhaps, who know what is really going on. They can say that I am wrong, which I may very well be. They can be dismissive and say that I am being merely speculative. Perhaps so. There are those who don't know, who can say the same things about what I am writing here. Maybe you are right. But being kyujo for most of the Aki basho gave him plenty of time to think hard about his present life and focus on his future. He had the luxury of time away from the dohyo to think and thinking can result in a change in priorities or direction.

Let's see what happens.................

[808morgan 805]

Wonder why Yoshi decided to carry Tochi all the way across the dohyo and pushed him out "gently" rather than toppling him to the ground after he got his left leg? Momentum? Excitement/adrenaline? Or maybe just to afford Tochi a more "dignified" loss? Whatever the reason, it was magnificent to watch.

I have picked something heavy up and been carried forward by the weight, he can't change direction, he can only go in the direction his weight was pulling them. I was impressed he put him down like a baby just outside haha. I was expecting them to trip and plummet off the dohyo!

[haboki 4]

Kisenosato couldn't beat his mini-me Toyonoshima. How disappointing and predictably inconsistent.

[Sokkenaiyama 80]

Nekodamashi? Never thought I'd see THAT in my lifetime.

[Pandaazuma 1,310]

Martin...just find a local cat and lie to it, mate!

[haboki 4]

Hakuho has been promoted to Bullfighter-Yokozuna: a new, elevated position. Congrats!!!! A new era begins.

[hamcornheinz 839]

Hakuho found it hilarious and was trying to not laugh, which I find hilarious.

[Jakusotsu 5,873]

Somebody actually updated this site today:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nekodamashi

[Senkoho 552]

Hakuho... such lack of class and respect for his opponents.

1. Sidestepping

2. The pat

3. The smile.

Let's ignore the hand-clapping (twice), it's bad enough even without it.

Edited November 17, 2015 by Senkoho

[Sokkenaiyama 80]

Apparently an English guy staying in Japan.

Also, henka lover or not - Hakuho's execution was flawless. And he was a good sport to let Tochiozan recover before beating him straight.

Edited November 17, 2015 by Sokkenaiyama

[Senkoho 552]

It's the second time within a couple of days - both times against rikishi who have never been a serious threat to him...

If he wants to make fun of his opponents and do more entertaining stuff, maybe he should try puroresu?

[sesom 55]

I could not believe what I saw today. Nekodamashi, henka, that idiotic grin - what will come tomorrow? Will he wear a clown suit?

[CT3* 331]

I love how Hakuho gets cats all emotional!

[orandashoho 720]

Sometimes I get the feeling that he is squirming underneath all those spotlights.

[ALAKTORN 346]

I loved Hakuhō today, that bout was hilarious. He clearly did not mean the nekodamashi to be a serious technique, as he let Tochiōzan recover a little without going for the easy henka win. I remember he’s used the nekodamashi in one of those NHK tournaments before (or some other non-honbasho one, anyway).