Christian wrestlers.

[Kintamayama 47,132]

Kintamayama: Y

My views might be similar, although I don't care for purposefully misspelling the name of a religion to indicate derision. Or the name of a country, for that matter. It seems petty to me. I prefer a respectful critique to a polemic.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Purposefully misspelling the name of a religion? Or a country? Are you talking about me?

[Kaihayaiha 0]

I think he meant sumofan's spelling of "katholic." That's the only misspelling I can find in this thread. ;-)

[Kasugaran 0]

I think Kasugao is Christian... wasn't there some mention about it when they intreviewed him with his mom, in time of Korean koen?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Quite possible, 25% or more Koreans profess to being Christian. I couldn't find anything on the web about him being so, but it is highly likely I would say.

Note to everyone, calm down on the religious discussion! (Depressed...)

[Araiguma_Rascal 0]

Purposefully misspelling the name of a religion? Or a country? Are you talking about me?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

No. What Kaihayaiha said. The country thing I've seen in other forums, not here. People write "Amerika." In both cases the change consits of changing a 'c' to a 'k.' I am not sure of the significance of that.

[Jakusotsu 6,367]

People write "Amerika." In both cases the change consits of changing a 'c' to a 'k.' I am not sure of the significance of that.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Well, that's not really "misspelling" but rather "different language". I am quite familiar with "Amerika" and "Katholik", and that's about as significant as it can get.

[Jejima 1,486]

Manekineko: I don't Christains are too shy here. I see a lot of young women wearing cross pendants these day, although I can't say for sure if it actually means they are Christain, or is just a fashion statement. I've also had Japanese Jehovah's Witnesses come to my house. More often than when I lived in the US in fact.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

My ex-girlfriend (Japanese) used to sometimes wear a big crucifix, but she wasn't a Christian. It was as a fashion statement. (She also has a tatoo of a crucifix with 'Sid Vicious's' name written across it.....!?!)

Remember in Japan, religion is often 'fashion.'

*Most* Japanese will get married in what they consider to be a 'Christian wedding.' (Okay, they'll have the legal, civil ceremony elsewhere, but the thing all the guests get invited to is this.)

The fact that the wedding takes place in a mock (unsanctified) chapel in a hotel, and the 'priest' is just a gaijin English teacher looking to make a few extra bucks by wearing robes and speaking the wedding vows as can be seen in Hollywood movies, does not affect the look of the final wedding pictures :-)

Remember also that the shinto rituals done on the dohyo prior to a basho are conducted by the senior gyoji dressed up to look like shinto priests. I don't think any of them actually are shinto priests - but they sure look like them at the time.

[rizarudo 0]

Remember in Japan, religion is often 'fashion.'

'''

Remember also that the shinto rituals done on the dohyo prior to a basho are conducted by the senior gyoji dressed up to look like shinto priests.  I don't think any of them actually are shinto priests - but they sure look like them at the time.

This is very interesting to me. Is there a good book or online resource that talks about and distinguishes between the religious origins of sumo versus the current non-religious practices of sumo that have religious overtones?

I was always told that the dohyo was sacred - but what you say seems to indicate that it is more like it has a tradition of being sacred more than being religiously sacred still.

Clearly, I need to learn more - any resources out there? :-)

[Araiguma_Rascal 0]

Wow! That was some bad typing in my post.

[Sasanishiki 57]

What about Takanoyama? I was recently told (while in the Czech Rep) that his country is one of the most aetheist in the world. I was told that this was a legacy of the Communist period. Petr, SK?

[_the_mind_ 0]

Please, no extensive quoting of scriptures...

The Mind and rizuardo, if you have theological bones to pick there is PM. This thread is dangerously close to being locked, but the original question is interesting so I'm giving it a benefit of a doubt. Don't make me regret it...

Edited May 29, 2005 by _the_mind_

[Pikenoyama 27]

What about Takanoyama? I was recently told (while in the Czech Rep) that his country is one of the most aetheist in the world. I was told that this was a legacy of the Communist period. Petr, SK?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

This is always difficult to say, as the senzus statistics (what people declare) and the reality might be quite different. The fact is that I've heard the same about Czech aetheicism (IIRC China was first and CR second). With this fact not being just a legacy of the Communist period - much longer history in this respect (the protestant Husites movement in the 15th century, forced change to catholicism or emigracy of protestants after 1621 win of Habsburgs - so no clear identification with the "monarchy/state church").You can see that for example in Poland comunists could not do much about the strong position of the church.

Slovakia should have bigger number of believers than Czechs as the church had traditionally stronger position there.

Have no idea about Takanoyama. I've read some interviews with him but none of them saying anything about his religion (so Shiroikuma might be the answer )

Sorry for going further (I am not worthy...) (Showing respect...) .

[Chienoshima 0]

This is a little bit late answer from my side, but I just want to tell you that the yokozuna Wakanohana III was truly a big christian.

In his great autobiography named Dokuhaku, in the first chapter, he explained how he always carry a bible with him, and read it quite often. Moreover, before each bout, he always gave some prayers to Maria, especially when he was scared to death before fighting Akebono or Musashimaru.

At that time, he always asked not to get his ribs broken by a mighty elbow blow, thus these broken ribs might reach his heart and kill him on the dohyo. Fortunately, this did not happen.

I guess he is still a christian.

End of this borderline post,

Chienoshima

[Phelix 0]

There is a theoretical possibility that Roho and his brother might be Moslems. This due to the fact that they origin from central asia, which is very much dominated by Islam. But since Ossetia is (still at least) a part of Russia, the probability is that they are Russian Orthodox. But take into consideration that Ossetia is practically next door to much disputed Tchechnya. The whole region is to be considerd equally mixed ethnically as unstable.

[Ossetian Yokozuna 1]

Phelix - some LITTLE mistake has accured.

ROHO and HAKUROZAN are from central CAUCASUS ( not from central asia ).

CAUCASUS are the mounteens between the BLACK and CASPIAN seas.

Avareige distanse between CAUCASUS and CENTRAL ASIA is equal to 3000 km.

OSSETIANS ( OSSETS ) have own GODS - HUTSAU, WASTIRGI, ZUARTTA and so on.

...................................................

If a man is claver and gentle then all are ok.

If a man is stupid and bad then no one of the religions can do him better.

..................................................

( It was very ludicrous for me to read - "ROHO is Rude & Barbar".

ROHO is one of the moust gentle rikishi in OZUMO. )

[Phelix 0]

Ossetia is a region in the northern Caucasus Mountains, inhabited by the Ossetians. Its territory currently straddles the political divide between North Ossetia-Alania in Russia, and South Ossetia in Georgia.

The Ossetians descend from Iranian-speaking tribes from Central Asia, namely Alans. They became Christians during the early Middle Ages under Georgian influence. Forced out of their medieval homeland (south of the River Don in present-day Russia) during Mongol rule, they migrated towards and over the Caucasus mountains, where they formed three distinct territorial entities:

Digor in the west came under the influence of the neighboring Kabard people, who introduced Islam

Tuall

Edited June 1, 2005 by Phelix

[Manekineko 200]

I moved Ossetain Yokozuna's picture of War on God to a topic of its own here. It was quite (In a state of confusion...)

If anyone feels the urge to know more about religion of Ossetians, please use that topic. Thank you!

[Lucius Flavonius 0]

This is a little bit late answer from my side, but I just want to tell you that the yokozuna Wakanohana III was truly a big christian.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Ok, thanks. Any more wrestlers? Maybe in the past?