No dohyo-iri currently !

[Hoshifransu 0]

During two thirds of the Hatsu Basho 2002 we had no Yokozuna so we had no dohyo-iri, of course.

About dohyo-iri, I read a very interesting article in a very nice Sumo Book called "Dynamic Sumo", texts by Clyde Newton and I give you an interesting excerpt written about dohyo-iri :

"Each yokozuna performs the dohyo-iri individually, with a tsuna, or thick, white rope tied around his waist over his keshomawashi. The tsuna may be worn only by yokozuna on ceremonial occasions. In the ring-entering ceremony, the yokozuna is flanked by two attendants, the tachimochi, who carries his sword, and the tsuyuharai, or second. Rikishi chosen for these roles are almost always ranked between maegashira and sekiwake, though on rare occasions yokozuna have used ozeki as their sword-bearers. There are two types of yokozuna dohyo-iri, Unryu-gata and Shiranui-gata, named after the two Edo-period yokozuna said to have originated the respective ceremonies. Differences between the two styles are minor. The Unryu-gata is considered "defensive", perhaps because the yokozuna stretches out just one arm and cups the other around his upper body when he rises slowly during the middle of the rite. In the Shiranui-gata, described as "offensive" the yokozuna stretches both arms out wide. Another distinction is that the rope-like tsuna worn by the Unryu-gata yokozuna is tied with only one loop, while the Shiranui-gata type has two. Although there are only two types of dohyo-iri, each yokozuna performs the dohyo-iri at a different tempo, which adds variety and helps to build audience expectation. Kashiwado, a popular figure from the 60's, often took about three minutes with his dohyo-iri, while Kirinoumi, in the 70's and early 80's, would often complete his in little more than one minute."

So, come back, Maru & Hana, we need our dohyo-iri ceremony !

[Yubiquitoyama 4]

Yes, I agree. Although of course Chiyotaikai or Tochiazuma being promoted to Yokozuna would suffice!

I actually hope that Tochiazuma or Chiyotaikai makes Yokozuna, and then chooses Shiranui-gata for a change. It's the less common dezuiri, and unless a relatively strong Yokozuna chooses it pretty soon, I'm afraid it will eventually be lost because of it being considered a "jinx" for the Yokozunas choosing it. Of course, the fact that old and small yokozunas often have been the ones choosing Shiranui, it's no wonder many of their careers as Yokozuna have been brief... With Wakanohana gone there are no one performing the Shiranui now (although of course no one is performing Unryu-gata either at the moment (Eh?) )

[Kotoseiya Yuichi 3]

Does the book remember to mention these two dohyo-iri styles are actually mixed with each other as Unryu-gata was first performed by yokozuna Shiranui and Shiranui-gata by yokozuna Unryu? The confusion started sometime during the Meiji era when the most respected ozumo authority of the time, HIKOYAMA Kozo, claimed without really researching the subject that the style new yokozuna Tachiyama was using was Shiranui-gata when it in fact was Unryu-gata. No one dared to challenge this although it was clearly a false conclusion. (Oh my god...)

By Kirinoumi you must be meaning Kitanoumi or Mienoumi? (Huh?)

A native Japanese once wrote me that dezuiri as a word is quite old-fashioned and seldom used and advised me to change it to regular dohyo-iri in my glossary which I promptly did.

Finally a rare picture of a dohyo-iri with three yokozuna. This is one of the very last (if not the very last) Wakanohana III dohyo-iri with Akebono and Musashimaru as his tachimochi and tsuyuharai. I believe this is from a jungyo held after Haru Basho 2000 which proved to be Waka's last.

[Kotoseiya Yuichi 3]

Speaking of yokozuna dohyo-iri, Kitanofuji just had his kanreki ceremony. Taiho had his in 2000. Wasn't there someone in between them or is my demency progressing? (I do not get it...)

[Yubiquitoyama 4]

Speaking of yokozuna dohyo-iri, Kitanofuji just had his kanreki ceremony. Taiho had his in 2000. Wasn't there someone in between them or is my demency progressing? (I do not get it...)

Depends on what you mean. There was no one actually performing the kanreki dohyo-iri between Taiho and Kitanofuji. But Kotozakura turned 60 in between, so if he had wanted to he could have, although he didn't.

[Kotoseiya Yuichi 3]

There was no one actually performing the kanreki dohyo-iri between Taiho and Kitanofuji.

Oh, OK, thanks. (Eh?)

Then I just remembered wrong and will add only Kitanofuji to my glossary's kanreki entry.

[Hoshifransu 0]

Well, the book which was written in 1994 has no mentions about the fact these two dohyo-iri styles are actually mixed with each other ... Unfortunately.

By Kirinoumi does he mean Kitanoumi or Mienoumi,

I think this is the first one who shined mainly during the 70's and a little bit of the 80's meanwhile the second one shined mainly during the 80's and a little bit of the 70's but who knows ? Mister Clyde Newton, it's a nice book, but you could have been more accurate, sometimes ...

[Yubiquitoyama 4]

Well, the book which was written in 1994 has no mentions about the fact these two dohyo-iri styles are actually mixed with each other ... Unfortunately.

By Kirinoumi does he mean Kitanoumi or Mienoumi,

I think this is the first one who shined mainly during the 70's and a little bit of the 80's meanwhile the second one shined mainly during the 80's and a little bit of the 70's but who knows ? Mister Clyde Newton, it's a nice book, but you could have been more accurate, sometimes ...

[Hoshifransu 0]

Yes, of course and big respects for Mr Newton, of course, for his work and his passion for sumo ! (Eh?)

[Tony 16]

And what about Chiyonofuji's yokozuna dohyo-iri ? ( length,... ). I just saw extracts of his dohyo-iri.He  executed wonderful shiko ( he lifted very high his leg ).

Takanohana's yokozuna dohyo-iri is so very impressive. Much more than Akebono. What do you think about it ?