Takanohana's last Yusho

[Araiguma_Rascal]

In the Kokugikan, they display giant paintings of each yusho winner going back for about 5 years. At each new Tokyo basho they take down the oldest 2 paintings I think (because every other basho is elsewhere: Kyushu, Nagoya or Osaka) and put up new paintings for the last two yusho winners.

Today was the last day for Takanohana's last yusho poster to be displayed during a honbasho at the kokugikan.

I suppose they sell those things to collectors? If so, that one will probably fetch a good price.

Also, I wonder if Takanohana will come out with a diet book. I've not seen a former rikishi so skinny.

Anyone able to post a recent picture of him? I saw him on the ol' tellie and his hair is now shorter than it had been recently. He looks really healthy. Something about him just seems weird though. Maybe that's why he has such self-discipline.

[Fay]

I will post some pictures from the Takanohana Party where I just have been, when I'm home again. Takanonami was there too, he lost some kilo but he looks very healthy again.

[Ryukaze]

I'd think that with the size some of these guys are, that even when they loose alot of weight they'd have alot of loose skin, (thus making cosmetic surgery a necessity along with loosing weight.)

[sumofan]

I'd think that with the size some of these guys are, that even when they loose alot of weight they'd have alot of loose skin, (thus making cosmetic surgery a necessity along with loosing weight.)

So either Takanohana has rubber skin :-D , or secret cosmetic surgery :-D .

(On the banzuke...)

[Gusoyama]

Also, I wonder if Takanohana will come out with a diet book. I've not seen a former rikishi so skinny.

Chapter 1: Stop eating chanko

Chapter 2: Stop taking steroids

The end. :-D

[Jakusotsu]

Chapter 1: Stop eating chanko

Not really. IIRC, Takanohana is still eating chanko, but stays away from the supplemental rice and beer.

[sekitori]

I'd think that with the size some of these guys are, that even when they loose alot of weight they'd have alot of loose skin, (thus making cosmetic surgery a necessity along with loosing weight.)

I think that's primarily true with people who lose a lot of weight very quickly and don't combine it with proper exercise. Takanohana lost the weight in a very different manner. From what I understand, he lost it exactly the way the experts say it should be done. First, he did it very slowly and steadily--maybe a kilogram (two pounds) a week. That doesn't sound like much, but it adds up to over 50 kg. or 100 pounds in a year. At that rate, he could cut his body weight in half in a little over a year and a half. And that's apparently just what he did. Next, beside decreasing his caloric intake, I understand that the foods he did eat were excellent nutritionally with very little sugar or saturated fat. I even heard that it was a vegetarian diet. Whatever his diet was, it was ideal. Finally, he exercised regularly both aerobically and with weights, preserving as much muscle as possible. It's quite possible to have loose skin after such a large weight loss but the way Takanohana lost it, that possibility is minimal.

If he hasn't already done so, he should write a book about weight loss. It probably would sell very well. But it takes a great deal of self disclipine to follow it, and I doubt if many people would have nearly as much success as Takanohana who has amazing will power.

Being strong willed can be negative. Takanohana's actions have shown that. But it also can be quite positive, resulting in a huge and healthy weight loss.

[Ryukaze]

"Sekitori" no offense meant toward your comment, but I fail to understand how this is possible. Once your skin has been stretched to cover say a 300-350lb frame the body doesnt have a mechanism to simply retract it or just make it go away does it? In the instance of a person who looses 150-200lbs, there gonna have alot of extra skin flabs whether they loose the weight quickly or gradually, anyone here a plastic surgeon? lol

Edited September 26, 2006 by Ryukaze

[Peterao]

Just think...if Konishiki were serious about losing weight, he could have been down to about 100 kilo by now...

[Fay]

As promised Takanohana Oyakata and former Takanonami at the Takanohana Senshuraku Party

[Fujisan]

Intai has worked for Takanonami,he looks younger now than when he was active.

[roydrager]

Takanohana Oyakata's skin is a little baggy. I saw it on the news when they showed him lending his chest to the deshi. A lot of people I talked to in Japan found his weightloss to be unsettling, and some believe he has become a member of a cult.

edit: People started getting an unfavorable image of Takanohana during the whole funeral scandal in 2005 when he started doing a lot of interviews. People found him to be a little strange.

Edited September 27, 2006 by roydrager

[Onnagumo]

Former Takanonami really looks good now. Now I'm even more jealous of you ;-)

[Fay]

Former Takanonami really looks good now. Now I'm even more jealous of you (Mono-ii...)

If it were not me I would be jealous too ;-)

[Yubiquitoyama]

If he hasn't already done so, he should write a book about weight loss. It probably would sell very well. But it takes a great deal of self disclipine to follow it, and I doubt if many people would have nearly as much success as Takanohana who has amazing will power.

At least there are rikishi actually publishing books, which I kind of stumbled over last night (and I think hasn't been mentioned here.

It seems ex-Onokuni (Shibatayama-oyakata) recently published a book of sweets and cakes from all the corners of Japan. Not really "the way of Taka", or for that matter "the weight of Taka". ;-)

[kawika]

Just think...if Konishiki were serious about losing weight, he could have been down to about 100 kilo by now...

Konishiki eats like most of breath air, just is something he just does, and he loves his food, so we will never see him at 100 kilo, never.

[kawika]

I think the yusho painters are given to the wrestler. I remember see one or two in the genkan of one of the heya. Just think if you could buy one, it would look righteous on my veranda!

[Gernobono]

Intai has worked for Takanonami,he looks younger now than when he was active.

for me he looks takamisakarish

[Jejima]

I think the yusho painters are given to the wrestler. I remember see one or two in the genkan of one of the heya. Just think if you could buy one, it would look righteous on my veranda!

The yusho painters are given to the rikishi? (Clapping wildly...) - I thought it was just the paintings they made ;-)

If I recall correctly (and it seems that every time I write those words, I don't - so I'm awaiting correction....), the 'paintings' are actually photographs (black-and-white I guess), that are then painted over.

I think the rikishi are given these once they come down from the walls. If they get too many of them, they may even give some of them away.

[Guest Huzayomama]

Can someone point me to a picture of Takanohana(recent) in a mawashi or showing this "sagging skin"?

Huzayomama

[Jonosuke]

The photo taken is actually color but then it gets touched up (or painted by) this lady who has been doing it from the beginning of time or so it seems.

Actually I reallly admire her work. She brings a human touch and feel that cannot conveyed by a mere machine alone. She brings warmth and liveliness to the photo.

[Kotoseiya Yuichi]

I might be completely imagining this but I seem to recall that the lady in question is indeed elderly and has no successor in sight. :-( Did she have a daughter originally expected to take over the mother's job in due time? And if she did, why was the plan abandoned? Where did I read about that or have I been hallucinating again?

Are there some modifications to be made to the glossary entry?

yusho-gaku, about 350 cm tall pictures of yusho winners; hung on the ceiling of Kokugikan; paid by Mainichi Shimbun newspaper and coloured over black and white photos by an elderly lady; after being in Kokugikan for six years they are given to the respective rikishi; prior to every honbasho held at Kokugikan two yusho-gaku depicting latest honbasho winners are revealed

[Jonosuke]

Sorry the photo she paints over is a black and white - I just remember she paints it while looking at another color photo to show the true mawashi design.

The size of the painting is 3.17 meter tall, 2.28 meter wide and weighs approximately 80 kg. There are eight on each side so altogether there are 32.

Once taken down, it's given back to the yusho winner who may donate it to their supporters club or alma mater, their long time friend or family member.