Johnofuji 232 Posted August 7, 2020 Ossu, I'm curious as to how often rikishi have run away from their stables. I recall that 6 Tongans ran away from their Heya in 1976 after a dispute with the stablemaster who took over after the death of the oyakata that recruited them. I'll have to ask our resident ex-rikishi Minaminoshima for details as I think his dad was involved too. In about 1991 Kyokutenhō, Kyokushuzan and three others ran away and sought refuge in the Mongolian embassy however Kyokutenzan persuaded them to return. In January 1932 there was the Shunjuen Incident where dozens of rikishi walked out and only 11 remained in the top division. I know a lot of individuals have run away so it's not a rare occurrence. Saito from Tokitsukaze eventually ended up having his life brutally taken away from him after he was persuaded to come back several times. One of the kids in a documentary about a decade ago did a runner and there are countless tales of rikishi wanting to chuck in the towel. A rikishi once told me that a former university sekitori was forced to quietly resign for getting frisky with his tsukibito in the hot tub. It was alleged that the victims ran away after they were made to bob for plums (if you catch my drift) I know that it used to be very common for rikishi to sneak out for some fun at night until the stablemasters got better CCTV. The Musashigawa beya boys found a blind spot next to the dohyo so they would dive out of the window. Are there any other notable incidents that our sumo history buffs recall? 4 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Godango 1,001 Posted August 7, 2020 (edited) I don't know how memorable it is, but I'm sure I remember reading somewhere that a younger Takayasu ran off home a few times? I'm sure someone here will have more detail, but that's one I'm interested in. Edited August 7, 2020 by Houmanumi Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Johnofuji 232 Posted August 7, 2020 He ran away 7 times but all I know is that his father persuaded him to go back each time. He was probably after some of his mum's Filipino cooking . 2 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Godango 1,001 Posted August 7, 2020 From a seven-time runaway to ozeki fascinates me. Would love to know more of that story. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Yokozuna Hattorizakura 153 Posted August 7, 2020 Anyone know whats going on with some of the banzuke-gai guys? The last 3 are particularly strange. Kotonawa has been missing for 4 years now. are these just runaways who they forgot to hand the intai papers for, or is it just a db mistake? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Raishu 208 Posted August 7, 2020 1 hour ago, Johnofuji said: Ossu, I'm curious as to how often rikishi have run away from their stables. I recall that 6 Tongans ran away from their Heya in 1976 after a dispute with the stablemaster who took over after the death of the oyakata that recruited them. I'll have to ask our resident ex-rikishi Minaminoshima for details as I think his dad was involved too. In about 1991 Kyokutenhō, Kyokushuzan and three others ran away and sought refuge in the Mongolian embassy however Kyokutenzan persuaded them to return. (1) In January 1932 there was the Shunjuen Incident where dozens of rikishi walked out and only 11 remained in the top division. I know a lot of individuals have run away so it's not a rare occurrence. Saito from Tokitsukaze eventually ended up having his life brutally taken away from him after he was persuaded to come back several times. One of the kids in a documentary about a decade ago (2) did a runner and there are countless tales of rikishi wanting to chuck in the towel. A rikishi once told me that a former university sekitori was forced to quietly resign for getting frisky with his tsukibito in the hot tub. It was alleged that the victims ran away after they were made to bob for plums (if you catch my drift) I know that it used to be very common for rikishi to sneak out for some fun at night until the stablemasters got better CCTV. The Musashigawa beya boys found a blind spot next to the dohyo so they would dive out of the window. Are there any other notable incidents that our sumo history buffs recall? (1) In a documentary about Kyokushuzan from the early 2000's, he mentioned that the okami-san was the key factor for the runaways to return to the heya. She also confirmed that. Reason to leave was the harsh training regime by Oshima oyakata. When she begged them to return with tears in her eyes, the Mongolians decided to follow ("We didn't want to make a woman cry"). If it's true or just a bit added drama ... who knows. (2) I guess, that's the documentary about Kyokutaisei. 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Yaochozuna 137 Posted August 7, 2020 Tochinoshin after the famous close encounter with Kasugano's golf club, if I remember correctly. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Swami 245 Posted August 7, 2020 There was the case of about five or six tsukebito leaving Tatsunami Beya in late 1987 after one of them was hit by Futahaguro, all bar one of them did return, then of course Futahaguro left. Not long after that, Nankairyu left - permanently - after a bust-up with his oyakata. Swami 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Johnofuji 232 Posted August 7, 2020 3 hours ago, Yokozuna Hattorizakura said: Anyone know whats going on with some of the banzuke-gai guys? The last 3 are particularly strange. Kotonawa has been missing for 4 years now. are these just runaways who they forgot to hand the intai papers for, or is it just a db mistake? Yes I was wondering that too when I saw that Raishu's post about the Phantom Rikishi. Maybe he is right and the oyakata have zombie rikishi on the books to collect their slavery fees. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Johnofuji 232 Posted August 7, 2020 6 minutes ago, Swami said: There was the case of about five or six tsukebito leaving Tatsunami Beya in late 1987 after one of them was hit by Futahaguro, all bar one of them did return, then of course Futahaguro left. Not long after that, Nankairyu left - permanently - after a bust-up with his oyakata. Swami Yes I remember now. He was a bit of a pisshead so he got told to choose the booze or sumo. He got up fairly high in makuuchi and was on the verge of greatness before he had to go troppo. He was a big solid unit. I had to help one of my Samoan deshi on the set of a new Marvel movie last week and he was almost twice the size of Nankairyu . 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Katooshu 3,265 Posted August 7, 2020 (edited) 8 hours ago, Raishu said: (1) In a documentary about Kyokushuzan from the early 2000's, he mentioned that the okami-san was the key factor for the runaways to return to the heya. She also confirmed that. Reason to leave was the harsh training regime by Oshima oyakata. When she begged them to return with tears in her eyes, the Mongolians decided to follow ("We didn't want to make a woman cry"). If it's true or just a bit added drama ... who knows. (2) I guess, that's the documentary about Kyokutaisei. (2) Might also be a young fellow from Onoe, Iwasaki, who was noted to have run-off in a documentary that contrasted his life in sumo with Baruto's: Edited August 7, 2020 by Katooshu 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Swami 245 Posted August 7, 2020 9 hours ago, Johnofuji said: Yes I remember now. He was a bit of a pisshead so he got told to choose the booze or sumo. He got up fairly high in makuuchi and was on the verge of greatness before he had to go troppo. He was a big solid unit. I had to help one of my Samoan deshi on the set of a new Marvel movie last week and he was almost twice the size of Nankairyu . He also assaulted a hotel employee in July 1987, shortly before he got promoted to Makunouchi. He had a lot of potential, it was too bad what happened. Swami Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
