(ex-)Oyakata columnists

[Reonito 1,748]

20 minutes ago, Reonito said:

To put Onosato's performance in context, only seven rikishi in the six-basho era managed to win 3 makuuchi yusho in a row, so it would have been a lot to expect in his first go. You know who never did it, among a number of illustrious others? Musashimaru.

Oh, and guess who has sole possession of the record for  most kinboshi  by a Yokozuna in a completed tournament, while finishing 9-6? Don't get me wrong, he was an awesome wrestler, but he definitely needs some perspective.

[Gospodin 260]

This is interesting. All six where given up to future sanyaku wrestlers, three of them mainstays, and the others presumably at their peak.

[Bunbukuchagama 926]

On 02/08/2025 at 14:49, Reonito said:

Oh, and guess who has sole possession of the record for  most kinboshi  by a Yokozuna in a completed tournament, while finishing 9-6? Don't get me wrong, he was an awesome wrestler, but he definitely needs some perspective.

[Naganoyama 6,016]

On 31/07/2025 at 13:42, Steve said:

Konishiki’s insight is awesome, musashimaru has an “it was better in my day” whininess

Konishiki is the one who said that Hakuho wouldn't even have made ozeki in his day.

[Gospodin 260]

Oh man, those old-timers who speak of their times when men were still men and did superhuman feats nobody comes close today....its the same in every sport (and music, and...).

2010´s  Hakuho would have cleaned up the division like the Klitschko brothers did in boxing.

[RabidJohn 2,010]

23 hours ago, Gospodin said:

Oh man, those old-timers who speak of their times when men were still men and did superhuman feats nobody comes close today....its the same in every sport (and music, and...).

2010´s  Hakuho would have cleaned up the division like the Klitschko brothers did in boxing.

I remember that interview with Konishiki (I think...). He talked about all the bullying that went on, and I believed every word because I've seen footage of it. Yeah, they thought nothing of filming keiko exactly as it happened and broadcasting it, the oyakata walking around with a stick to beat them with, and everything. Times have indeed changed.

His dismissal of Hakuho was ridiculous, though. I reckon Hakuho would've flourished in that environment, just as Konishiki and so many others did.

[Kintamayama 46,753]

Hidenoyama (ex-Kotoshougiku) writes for Tokyo Sports today:

In sumo , while the rikishi engage in heated battles on the dohyo, the shinpan are tasked with guiding the match and helping to determine the outcome. From what vantage point do the shinpan, seated around the dohyo, watch the matches? What are the unknown challenges they face? Former Ozeki Kotoshougiku- Hidenoyama Oyakata, takes a look behind the scenes at the work of a shinpan in his "Gaburi Talk" series.

Hello, readers! Today, I'd like to introduce the work of the shinpan that I am a part of. During a basho match, there are usually five shinpan seated around the dohyo. The head shinpan sits at the front, with one shinpan on each side. Two shinpan sit next to the gyoji seat facing the dohyo, with the east-facing shinpan also acting as timekeeper. Of course, the shinpan aren't just idly watching the matches from below the dohyo. They monitor the overall flow of the match to see if the rikishis' feet step outside the straw bale, and if their bodies remain in it. They also check to see if their fingers are grabbing their opponents' topknots during the bout. Even if one rikishi is attacking and in full control, if the top of his foot turns over during the match, he loses. Even if a rikishi falls off the dohyo, the shinpan dodges him and keeps his eyes peeled to determine the outcome. Until the match is completely decided, they cannot let their guard down, even for a moment. If the match is close or there is a possibility of a foul, they will call a monoii and hold a discussion among themselves. If necessary, the head shinpan will contact the video room via wireless to confirm the result. There is usually one video shinpan, but two for sekitori matches. They repeatedly check the slow-motion footage on the monitor from four angles, different from the angle used for NHK's broadcast. However, the final decision regarding the outcome of a match is made by the on-site shinpan.

The head or deputy head shinpan serves as the head shinpan for sekitori matches, but for makushita and below, it is another Oyakata. Explaining the results of the discussion when a monoii is called is also an important role. First, which side did the gyoji point his  gunbai to? This is a basic point, but if you get it wrong, it can confuse the audience and the rikishi, so you need to be careful. Next, you need to briefly explain the key points of the discussion, taking into account the flow of the match. It took me a while to get used to it. In addition to judging the match, the head shinpan also warns rikishi if they don't bow properly or if there are too many mattas. The timekeeper also has the role of announcing when the bout should start and when the match will be stopped if there is no winner after about 4 minutes- a mizu-iri. The shinpan starts the stopwatch immediately after the tachiai and after about four minutes have passed, and there is no winner, he signals to the head referee with his hand.

The job of a shinpan is also fraught with danger. You can get seriously injured by having a rikishi fall on you. I've never been injured, but I've had rikishi step on my feet.. it's not uncommon for a rikishi to step on your hakama and tear it. In that case, you can have the yobidashi give you a temporary stitch as a first aid measure after returning to the shitakubeya, and it will be repaired after the match. The job of a shinpan requires physical strength and concentration, but it is very rewarding to be able to watch the rikishis' heated battles from the front line. My former Oyakata (former Yokozuna Kotozakura) used to be so tense when he was a shinpan that his body would move from the effort (laughs). Now I understand how he felt. If fans would also pay attention to the shinpan in between bouts, it might broaden the ways in which they can enjoy sumo .

Until next time!

[RabidJohn 2,010]

9 hours ago, Kintamayama said:

... with the east-facing shinpan also acting as timekeeper.

I thought the time-keeper was the shimpan sitting to the right of the gyoji as viewed on TV (gyoji's left), and facing that camera is looking across to the nominal north side of the dohyo.

The east-facing shimpan is usually out of shot, sitting on the west side...

[Kintamayama 46,753]

3 hours ago, RabidJohn said:

I thought the time-keeper was the shimpan sitting to the right of the gyoji as viewed on TV (gyoji's left), and facing that camera is looking across to the nominal north side of the dohyo.

The east-facing shimpan is usually out of shot, sitting on the west side...

AFAIK, it's the guy sitting on the left of the gyoji on TV. But what do I know, I'm just the translator., 

[Kaitetsu 346]

4 hours ago, RabidJohn said:

I thought the time-keeper was the shimpan sitting to the right of the gyoji as viewed on TV (gyoji's left), and facing that camera is looking across to the nominal north side of the dohyo.

The east-facing shimpan is usually out of shot, sitting on the west side...

It is the guy on the left of the screen facing directly us, on the behind right for the gyoji on the dohyo, he is the one that opens his hand when the gyoji bows to the side, signalling its matta-nashi.

[RabidJohn 2,010]

Well, I knew it was one of the guys next to the gyoji, and definitely not the guy facing east.

[Gospodin 260]

On 21/08/2025 at 23:25, Kintamayama said:

The job of a shinpan is also fraught with danger. You can get seriously injured by having a rikishi fall on you.

Or have one dumped upon you by a, say, overzealous Yokozuna.