Rikishi Talk the Senshuraku - 2009 Hatsu Basho

[Jonosuke]

Kitazakura (Juryo West 11, 5-10) over Shirononami by tsukitaoshi

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(Despite falling down to Makushita in all likelihood, pledging to continue)

"I will be coming back to the dohyo next basho as well. I want to keep going until I can be thoroughly satisfied with my sumo."

Homasho (11-4) losing to Tokitenku by shitatenage, 8.6 seconds

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(Overcoming his injury and getting his first Kanto-sho in two years.)

"A sansho is simply an end result of what I have been doing. The fact I was able to get Kachikoshi was most gratifying."

Tamanoshima (11-4) over Chiyohakuho by yorikiri, 4.8 seconds

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(Finishing with 11-4 record ranked at Maegashira East 15)

"I was so anxious prior to the basho thinking what would happen to me. Now I finally feel like I can celebrate the new year."

Bushuyama (2-13) losing to Koryu by hikiotoshi, 9.4 seconds

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(With 13 losses, certain demotion to Juryo)

"I realize I still can't cut it against the top rank rikishi. As losses mounted, mentally I was getting totally exhausted."

Kyokutenho (9-6) over Yoshikaze by kotenage, 4.8 seconds

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(Winning his eighth straight to earn his ninth win.)

"If I may say so myself, this is awesome. When I was at 1 win and 6 losses, my goal was simply to get back to an even record."

Kisenosato (8-7) over Takamisakari by yorikiri, 12.0 seconds

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(Showing his tenacity as he was trying for sekiwake promotion by downing Takamisakari in the end despite getting pushed to the dohyo edge.)

"I think most likely I would have lost it normally. I just lost myself out there for a while."

"I realize If I am getting tense now, I am far from getting anywhere."

(Though rather certain to be promoted from Komusubi but realizing his past luck or rather lack of it like not getting promoted to sekiwake after finishing with double digit win record at komusubi)

"Oh you never know about that at all. I have been unlucky in banzuke..."

"But it took me two years to get to this point. So obviously I will be happy for sure if it happens. I will need to overcome the pressure and do my best as it will be a brand new start for me then."

Baruto (9-6) over Harumafuji by tsuridashi, 7.0 seconds

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(Winning the last two days to get his nine win record)

"I got my Kachikoshi yesterday so I felt more at ease today. I think this winning streak will be huge leading up to the next basho."

Harumafuji (8-7) losing to Baruto

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(Finishing his first ozeki basho with 8-7)

"Ah...it's all over now. Finally over. I learned the lesson this basho that I could never take anything for granted. For that I'd thank the god of the dohyo."

"The basho felt so long. To be able to show good sumo to the fans coming to see us, I will start training from tomorrow so I can show a sumo befitting of ozeki."

Kotooshu (10-5) losing to Kaio by yorikiri, 6.2 seconds

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(Was doing so well in the first half but only finishing with 10 wins.)

"I could have won more if I did little more. So I am not happy with the basho. I will just have to work and train that much harder."

Kaio (8-7) over yorikiri, 6.2 seconds

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"I couldn't get into my sumo even till the very end. To be honest I didn't think I could get Kachikoshi this basho."

Goeido (10-5) losing to Chiyotaikai by hatakikomi, 3.4 seconds

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(On his first Gino-sho)

"It's my first Sansho so I am genuinely happy. After winning my 10th, I started thinking, maybe I could get it..."

Chiyotaikai (8-7) over Goeido

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(Overwhelming Goeido with his fierce Tsuppari.)

"Wasn't it horrific, right? I basically tried to go relaxed and not put too much pressure on my shoulders."

(On finally getting his Kachikoshi on the Senshuraku)

"I know it's deplorable. I can't display good sumo consistently day in and day out. I don't know if I am reaching close to my physical limit now...."

Hakuho (14-1) over Asashosryu by yoritaoshi, 3.7 seconds

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(Unable to display his strong attack as in Hon-wari, letting Asashoryu get the right mawashi)

"Ah...I didn't get the mawashi right. Once you get in that position, you can't do anything anymore. In the Hon-wari, his attack felt so light but he must have somehow regrouped and altered his tachiai attack. I may have been more tense and may have rushed myself too much in the Kettei-sen."

(While he himself worked hard throughout Asashoryu's absence, letting him take the yusho right after coming back from his kyujo)

"I think it must have been a difference of experience. There was an unexpected trap at the end."

Asashoryu (14-1) over Hakuho by yorikiri in the Yusho Kettei-sen

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"I got so tense in the hon-wari. I thought it was a Matta but I jumped out. But I think by losing the first one, I got more relaxed. Because I knew then there was only one more left."

"By winning my first day (against Kisenosato) I felt I could keep winning."

"I have suffered from the injury for a long time and I even thought I'd never able to climb up on the stage like this. I feel like I've finally became the real Asashoryu in a long while. Once again Asashoryu has returned. I can finally take a breather. It's all over now."

"This is the best. I feel great. I never mentioned to anyone but I was confident I prepared myself sufficiently. Now that I won the yusho, I still feel I want to keep doing my best."

(Asked if this meant the Asashoryu Era would continue)

"It's far from over..."

(However it should also be noted that a number of his opponents strongly felt they could beat Asashoryu next time while admitting they would have not have a chance against Hakuho, though saying they did not want to see Asashoryu retire as he has such popularity.)

Musashigawa oyakata (former Yokozuna Mienoumi), chairman of the Kyokai

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"All I can say about Asashoryu is that he is amazing. He possesses unsurpassed fortitude. I had concerns in the first half but with his concentration he took his sumo into his own. In the last half we've start seeing Assahoryu at his best. It turned into a great finish and we were able to close out great. I'd like to see both yokozuna keep competing hard on the dohyo from now on. There are a lot said about Asashoryu but you must acknowledge his huge presence as we all have witnessed this basho."

Takasago oyakata (former Ozeki Asashio), Asahoryu's shisho

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"He had done well. By winning his bouts, he regained his confidence. It's imperative to look deep inside yourself by winning and going with a conviction that you could do it all over again."

(Takasago oyakata admitted prior to the basho he would put Asashoryu's future in this basho and said he would make Asashoryu retire quickly if he could not leave a good record.)

Katsuji Ebisawas, chairman of Yokozuna Deliberation Committee

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"We should commend Asashoryu for overcoming all his troubles and coming back so strongly. At the same time I'd like him not to take things for granted and start training consistently and work to cultivate more graceful manners. He is only 28 years old, he still can keep going and accomplish more. I guess in a way we may need a heel, that we are all complete when we have a cast of characters. While I do understand we may need some elements of coarseness, I'd like him to start behaving more like a responsible adult in the future."

Hakkaku oyakata (fomer Yokozuna Hokutoumi)

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"Including those still young, ozeki as a while are utterly disgraceful. There isn't one rikishi among them who can get Asashoryu to feel uncomfortable. There isn't any difference with the current situation to the time before Asashoryu went on kyujo."

Kokonoe oyakata (former Yokozuna Chiyonofuji), Kyokai's PR Director

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"This was the yusho no one ever imagined prior to the basho. I feel we need to have those trained hard every day to starting winning the yusho. I want them to be rewarded for their efforts and win the yusho."

Takanohana oyakata (forme Yokozuna Takanohana)

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(Now his yusho record taken over by Asashoryu)

"Perhaps I can talk about it some other time but I have one comment to make. To our young rikishi. I'd like them to understand that the true Sumo-do is to work hard diligently every single day. I want them to live courageously carrying on in the new generation."

Asashoryu's father

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(As he embraced his son,)

"I want to congratulate him from the bottom of my heart. I am really proud of my son and his accomplishments."

Taro Aso, Prime Minister of Japan

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(After he read the yusho citation on the dohyo.)

"This is the yusho after overcoming many trials and tribulations. After all is said and done, a yokozuna must be the strongest."

(Initially the Prime Minister Cup was to be given by Deputy Cabinet Secretary as usual but seeing how people were interested in the basho, the PM decided he himself wanted to present it. His support level dropping to 20% in the latest poll so he may have wanted to get free prime time exposure and hoping to ride on Asashoryu's popularity. Actually Asao either skipped or misread the citation as he did not state "CUP" and only said "Prime Minister" when he read it on the dohyo.)

A sales clerk at souvernier kiosk in the Kokugikan

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"People are buying goods with rikishi shikona in. Obviously Asashoryu ones are most popular. I believe we sold 50% more than the last Aki Basho."

A fan, 76 year old man from Kawagkuchi City, Saitama Prefecture

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"It's not just about winning..."

A fan, 33 year old woman from Edogawa ward Tokyo

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"I want to see Asashoryu get beaten so I want him to stay in."

A 39 year old man from Tokyo

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"He is ungraceful so I don't like him but it's impressive he came back this much. I think the basho would not have turned out this exciting if Asashoryu was not here."

A 50 year old man from Tokyo

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"I don't like him but he is awesome. He has been winning because he has solid abilities."

A fan, 70 year old man from Chiba

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"It's a great feat. He had a different outlook and more intensity this basho as he had to endure with so much noise from around him. You must admit he is a Dai-yokozuna."

A fan, 34 year old woman from Adachi-ward, Tokyo

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"There are times Ozumo needs a character like him. He shouldn't retire yet and he proves to us all that he can still keep going on."

A fan, 35 year old man in Ulaanbaator

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(Watching the basho at a bar on a big screen TV)

"We all wanted Asashoryu to win the yusho. It was great. I hope he can keep going at least several more years."

A fan, 42 year old in Ulaanbaator

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"We were worried about his future as in Japan they were talking about his possible retirement. I am extremely happy to see him get the yusho."

Shinobu Oshizaka, former host of Ozumo Digest TV program

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"Asashoryu generated huge interests among fans how he would do in this basho. With his lack of training, he did not receive favorable views. But once the basho started,his intensity, concentration,speed and power all returned. He is such a strange figure with unsurpassed physical abilities. He possesses unimaginable intensity and concentration towards the bout in front of him and built 'Asashoryu Theater'. Once again the rikishi who led the basho were foreign born. I'd like to see a Japanese star in Ozumo like Ryo Ishikawa who is bringing more excitement to the golf world."

Yasushi Yoshiga, Professor Emeritus of Japanese Culture, Tokyo Engineering University and expert on sumo history

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"It was a supreme accomplishment to open the way with his own ability without not going on kyujo. It's certain he must have had a strong resolve to enter the basho so when he stated he has return, we could feel truly he was overcome by his own emotions. Fans were ecstatic in having the return of strong heel in some time and a fresh change from the previous basho. However he will be clearly failing his position as yokozuna if all he does is simply bringing in more fans by winning and keep conducting himself ungracefully like before, The question he is facing is whether or not he gets all these congratulation from the fans to his head or 'wash his feet off' (stop being) as a heel by understanding his own inner self. The Kyokai is still in a state of No-Matta."

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In the yusho parade car sitting between Asasekiryu and Yokozuna Asashoryu, the man Asashoryu considers his "father in Japan", former Tokoyama, Tokojyu, waved his hands as if he himself won the yusho. "I didn't care it was a car or a stage coach. I was so happy," said Takajyu Hinahata, 65, who set Asashoryu's mage until his retirement after the Kyushu Basho last year.

Asashoryu promised him he would put him in the parade car with him but Asashoryu decided not to participate in the basho the last Kyushu Basho. "I wanted him to enter it. It was my last opportunity to serve him. I missed him so much," Hinahata said.

Hinahata had a meal together with Asashoryu prior to this basho and again Asashoryu told him he would be waiting for him in the car. Hinahata saw Asashoryu opted not to drink and left before 9 PM. He then realized Assahoryu was so serious about the basho that he was convinced he would win the yusho this time. As Asashoryu kept winning this basho, he called Asashoryu to congratulate him daily.

Today Hinahata waited for Asashoryu in the dressing room to come back after the Kettei-sen. As soon as Asashoryu saw HInahata, he went over and embraced him. "I was all alone. From the beginning, it was only me who said I'd win the yusho. But then you know I won one more than I expected," Asashoryu told HInahata who by this time was not hearing anything as his face all crumbled with tears

Remembering the time he was doing the mage for the great yokozuna Chiyonofuji, Hinahata felt "once the competitor loses his edges (on his head), his career is over". He wasn't happy with Asashoryu's performance last year. "Around the time when he was promoted to yokozuna he had 10 edges. By last year he only had three left and even then the third one was even loose. But today the yokozuna's head is different. His third one is all firm. I think he will be around for several more years," Hinahata added.

The Yusho Interview

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- Congratulations on your yusho.

Asashoryu: It's great,

- Losing in the hon-wari

A: I got tense. I just let it go. I couldn't do anything.

- Were you able to reset your feeling before the Yusho Kettei sen?

A: By losing once, I felt more relaxed.

- Is this yusho different from the others?

A: It's different. I was able to concentrate all 15 days. It's like as if the old Asashoryu has returned in a long while. From the day 1 bout I felt I could go all the way. Asashoryu has returned once again.

- There was talk about your retirement.

A: .......

- You can't let it finish now?

A: No, not yet.

- You were able to keep a promise you had with Tokoju san (who did Asashoryu's mage until his retirement last November) to be in the yusho parade car.

A: It's the best. I was able to keep a man's promise. I feel happy about that.

- There were calls from the arena not go back to Mongolia?

A: I love Japan. I am the yokozuna of Japan so that's not the case. (In Mongolian) Please keep supporting me as I will be still going to do my best,"

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The Kokugikan already posted a sold out sign by 8:30 AM today. This was the fifth sell out this basho. The average number of left over tickets this basho was 1,700, the fewest since Yokozuna Takanohana retired in 2004, The average TV rating after 5 PM was higher than the Hatsu Basho last year when Asashoryu returned from his two basho suspension. The Day 8th TV rating in Kanto Plains that includes Tokyo was 21.5%, the highest recorded in this basho while average daily ratings were consistently over 15%.

However certain oyakata were extremely displeased with his outside activties during the basho promoting his own restaurant and spending more time for the opening preparations than doing his yokozuna job.

Sansho

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Gino-sho: Goeido (first)

Kanto-sho: Homasho (2)

Shukun-sho: none

Makuuchi Yusho

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Asashoryu Yokozuna West Real Name: Dagvadorj Dolgorsuren. From Mongolia. Takasago Beya. 28 years old. Arrived in Japan as an exchange student at Meitoku Gijuku High School. Dohyo debut: 1999 Hatsu Basho. Makuuchi debut: 2001 Hatsu Basho. Ozeki promotion: after the 2002 Nagoya Basho. Yokozuna promotion: after 2003 Hatsu Basho. 20th Yusho, fifth in sumo history at the 2007 Hatsu Basho. 184 cm, 153 kg. Favorite moves: tsuppari, using front mawashi to quickly attack his opponents, nage.

Juryo Yusho

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Shotenro Juryo East 1 Real Name: Nyamasuren Dagdandorji. From Mongolia.

Musashigawa Beya. 26 years old. Dohyo debut: 2001 Haru Basho. Juryo debut: 2008 Kyushu. 189 cm, 146 kg. Favorite moves: Migi-yotsu, yori.

(For the first time since his Heya senior Miyabiyama did it, Shotenro won his second consecutive Juryo yusho by beating Hakuba in the Juryo Yusho Kettei-sen. He became the eighth rikishi to accomplish the feat)

"Miyabiyama-zeki congratulated me now. I had my parents over from Mongolia here today. I was really psyched up for today."

"I wanted to win anyway I could so I wasn't particularly concerned about quality."

(Certain to be promoted to Makuuchi next basho)

"I want to keep displaying sumo I hit my opponents straight on and move forward. I will be going all out next basho."

Sandanme Yusho

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Aozora West 30 (7-0) Real Name: Daichi Ikehara. From Osaka.

Tagonoura Beya. 25 years old. Dohyo debut: 2006 Haru Basho/

180 cm, 121 kg. Favorite move: Oshi.

"I had good quality sumo this basho, keeping my lower back low. My ideal sumo is to get the right front mawashi. I hope to be a sekitori as quickly as possible."

Record

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Kyokutenho - 900th MakuuchiCareer Appearance

Kakuryu - 100th Makuuchi victory

Most Career Yusho (over 10)

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1. Taiho - 32

2. Chiyonofuji - 31

3. Kitanoumi - 24

4. Asashoryu - 23

5. Takanohana - 22

6. Wajima - 14

7. Futabayama - 12

7. Muashimaru - 12

9. Akebono - 11

10. Tsunenohana - 10

10. Tochinishiki - 10

10. Wakanohana I - 10

10. Kitanofuji - 10

Yusho by Active Rikishi

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1. Asashoryu - 23

2. Hakuho - 9

3. Kaio - 5

4. Chiyotaikai - 3

5. Dejima - 1

5. Kotomitsuki - 1

5. Kotooshu - 1

Jiji Press Haru Basho Banzuke Forecast

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Yokozuna East Asashoryu

Yokozuna West Hakuho

Ozeki East Kotooshu

Ozeki West Chiyotaikai

Ozeki East Kaio

Ozeki West Harumafuji

Ozeki East Kotomitsuki

Sekiwake East Baruto

Sekiwake West Kisenosato

Komusubi East Kyokutenho

Komusubi West Goeido

M1 East Hokutoriki

M1 West Kakuryu

M2 East Tokitenku

M2 West Tochiozan

M3 East Kotoshogiku

M3 West Miyabiyama

M4 East Yoshikaze

M4 West Takekaze

M5 East Wakanosato

M5 West Tamanoshima

Maichini Shimbun Haru Basho Forecast

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Yokozuna East Hakuho

Yokozuna West Asashoryu

Ozeki East Kotooshu

Ozeki West Chiyotaikai

Ozeki East Kaio

Ozeki West Harumafuji

Ozeki East Kotomitsuki

Sekiwake East Baruto

Sekiwake West Kisenosato

Komusubi East Kyokutenho

Komusubi West Goeido

M1 East Hokutoriki

M1 West Kakuryu

M2 East Kotoshogiku

M2 West Tokitenku

M3 East Miyabiyama

M3 West Tochiozan

M4 East Takekaze

M4 West Yoshikaze

M5 East Wakanosato

M5 West Tamanoshima

Edited January 25, 2009 by Jonosuke

[Harry]

Thanks again for all these daily comments!

[Kaiomitsuki]

Thank you very much for the daily "Rikishi talk" topic (Sign of approval...)

[Nanami]

Thank you - these translations have been wonderful!! (Sign of approval...)

[Bilu]

Jonosuke - thanks.

The Rikishi Talks are absolutely magnificent! (Sign of approval...)

One small correction, if I may (I am not worthy...)

Musashigawa oyakata (former Yokozuna Mienoumi), chairman of the Kyokai

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"All I can say about Asashoryu Kisenosato is that he is amazing.

..."

[ilovesumo]

Thanks Jonosuke.

We are all very lucky to have you here. m(_ _)m

[Raishu]

Thanks for your efforts! Highly appreciated!! (Sign of approval...)

[Arslan]

Kotooshu (10-5) losing to Kaio by yorikiri, 6.2 seconds

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(Was doing so well in the first half but only finishing with 10 wins.)

"I could have won more if I did little more. So I am not happy with the basho. I will just have to work and train that much harder."

Kaio (8-7) over yorikiri, 6.2 seconds

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"I couldn't get into my sumo even till the very end. To be honest I didn't think I could get Kachikoshi this basho."

Kotooshu (10-5) losing to Kaio by yorikiri, 6.2 seconds??? (Sign of disapproval...) Kotooshu didn't loose to Kaio. He WON!

[Torabayama]

I just want to say thanks for all the Rikjishi Talk posts everyday. This has been an excellent basho! (Sign of disapproval...)

[Takamizakura]

I also want to add my gratitude for these daily translations. They add so much depth to the sumo coverage and I look forward to reading them everyday.

I was told by friends that Aso is unliked, but even 20% is shocking. I hear about how Japanese people are dissatisfied that they can't choose their own prime minister directly, and are hoping (remotely) that Obama can positively influence a change in Japanese politics, because I get the impression the public are far removed from where powerful decisions are made, and vice versa.

[Asafan]

Thank you so much for these daily Rikishi Talks. I'm really happy to read this every day of the basho (Sign of disapproval...) ;-)

[paolo]

To see the daily comments makes following what happens easier. Thank you very much !

[Babaryutaikai]

May I add my thanks as well? This is the first Hatsu I have missed in many years, but certainly one of the happiest for me AND my boy. (Sign of disapproval...) ;-)

[Asafan]

Remembering the time he was doing the mage for the great yokozuna Chiyonofuji, Hinahata felt "once the competitor loses his edges (on his head), his career is over". He wasn't happy with Asashoryu's performance last year. "Around the time when he was promoted to yokozuna he had 10 edges. By last year he only had three left and even then the third one was even loose. But today the yokozuna's head is different. His third one is all firm. I think he will be around for several more years," Hinahata added.

Reading this part again and again, as my mother tongue is not english, I must admit I don't understand it. Would somebody be kind enough to try to explain it to me ? What are these edges on the head Hinahata is talking about ? What do these numbers of ten and then 3 mean ? (Whistling...)

[Kuroyama]

Remembering the time he was doing the mage for the great yokozuna Chiyonofuji, Hinahata felt "once the competitor loses his edges (on his head), his career is over". He wasn't happy with Asashoryu's performance last year. "Around the time when he was promoted to yokozuna he had 10 edges. By last year he only had three left and even then the third one was even loose. But today the yokozuna's head is different. His third one is all firm. I think he will be around for several more years," Hinahata added.

Reading this part again and again, as my mother tongue is not english, I must admit I don't understand it. Would somebody be kind enough to try to explain it to me ? What are these edges on the head Hinahata is talking about ? What do these numbers of ten and then 3 mean ? (Whistling...)

It's not English problem. There's an idiom where one might speak of one's "edge", meaning keenness or drive toward accomplishment, but it doesn't look like that's what is meant here. It looks like a Japanese idiom translated literally, and its meaning is not clear from context.

Edited January 27, 2009 by Kuroyama

[Asojima]

It's not English problem. There's an idiom where one might speak of one's "edge", meaning keenness or drive toward accomplishment, but it doesn't look like that's what is meant here. It looks like a Japanese idiom translated literally, and its meaning is not clear from context.

Agree. Elsewhere, there were references to his thoughts on Asa's years of competition remaining, and the numbers match those found here.

Edited January 27, 2009 by Asojima

[Kofuji]

I think the barber is literally talking about the edges in Asashoryu's hairline. When you look at those goofy pictures of them making the mage, I bet the barbers have some thing about counting the edges in the hairline.

[Asafan]

Well... thanks for your answers.

I guess the only one who could say exactly what it means would be Jonosuke himself...