Representations of sumo in non-East Asian cultures

[Sakura 1,331]

I couldn't find a similar thread, so I'm starting this one. The idea is to showcase how sumo appears to people outside of Japan. I couldn't find a more appropriate sub-forum for it.

This idea started on Halloween when two children (separately) came trick-or-treating wearing the following

 

It can be found here.

[Benihana 1,794]

The problem is the absence of background knowledge. Just a few weeks ago (last basho) i had a chat with my father. When i mentioned that i can't wait for getting home to watch the newest video, he laughed. He is a very intelligent and well informed man, but for him sumo is just fatties pushing each other around. He doesn't know better. Even when sumo was still broadcasted in germany, there was little to no background information. They showed the bouts and the commentators did a really good job, but there was no time for more in those broadcasting slots.

People don't know the origins of sumo, don't know the ties to religion and tradition, don't know how hard rikishi have to work out each day. People see only the wobbling masses of fat, but not the muscles that allow most rikishi to do biceps curls with 50kg weights without breaking a sweat. People don't know that it is a no-go for active rikishi to publicly show themselves in western clothing. You can't compare sumo to ANY type western of sport, because it is more than sport. Just imagine european football players would have to wear their local garb. Players of Bayern Munich facing severe punishment if they don't wear Lederhosen all the time. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang not being allowed to drive his red velvet coated Ferrari. CR7 doing a ceremonial free kick in a church, welcoming the new year. And the haircuts...all those stupid haircuts gone. Hilariuos. 

I knew that sumo was more than fatties, but i have to admit, without this forum and excessive internet research...well...

And as long broadcasting companies only show fatties pushing each other around, people will see nothing more than...you know...

[egparis18 622]

14 hours ago, Sakura said:

I couldn't find a similar thread, so I'm starting this one. The idea is to showcase how sumo appears to people outside of Japan. I couldn't find a more appropriate sub-forum for it.

 There's plenty of occidental artwork in the Sumo Art thread, and most of it is very beautiful. Not everybody in the West sees sumo as 'fat guys shoving each other'. Some people do, unfortunately, but not artists (I'm not talking about whoopee-cushion and tea-towel manufacturers, who nevertheless aren't all bad). Most of the caricatures on Sumo Art are in fact produced by Japanese artists. Caricatures they are, but done with a great deal of love and respect.

http://www.daniel-favre-sculpture.fr/galerie/lutteurs

Edited November 3, 2016 by egparis18

[Sakura 1,331]

22 hours ago, egparis18 said:

 There's plenty of occidental artwork in the Sumo Art thread, and most of it is very beautiful. Not everybody in the West sees sumo as 'fat guys shoving each other'. Some people do, unfortunately, but not artists (I'm not talking about whoopee-cushion and tea-towel manufacturers, who nevertheless aren't all bad). Most of the caricatures on Sumo Art are in fact produced by Japanese artists. Caricatures they are, but done with a great deal of love and respect.

I didn't placed this in sumo art, because I felt that this could go beyond art. I love the sumo art thread, by the way. 

 

[egparis18 622]

8 hours ago, Sakura said:

I didn't placed this in sumo art, because I felt that this could go beyond art. I love the sumo art thread, by the way. 

Thank you for the kind words about Sumo Art.

Here's something from the time when Nicolas Sarkozy was still Minister of the Interior and aiming to get elected President. A video featuring Akebono. I've included a translation below for non-francophones.

PPDA = Patrick Poivre d’Arvor (the anchorman)
NS = Nicolas sarkozy - then Minister of the Interior
JC = Jacques Chirac, then President of France

PPDA: We’re starting with NS, since, let me remind you, a good TV news has to mention NS every day. That’s the law.
Today, then. NS is still goading JC, and this time he’s picked on sumo, the President’s favourite sport, calling it “a stupid sport between two two obese guys wearing their hair up in a brilliantined bun”.

NS: There it is ... I don’t like sumo … so I don’t like sumo!

JC: No problem Nicolas. Me, I don’t do sumo. I’m not vexed. Now then; "fat fools with a brilliantined chignon", me, I don’t mind, but Akebono can’t get past it.

NS: Akebono? Who’s he?

JC: We shall see. 

PPDA: Oooh! No no! Mr. Chirac - hold him back! Oops … they always make a sweet sound, neckbones. NS, then, believes that sumo isn’t a sport for intellectuals.
Let me remind you that NS is a Paris St-Germain supporter.

NS: Marseille, Marseille! Up yours!

PPDA : Straight into the high refined style, eh ?
 

Edited November 4, 2016 by egparis18