Could I learn Sumo in Japan?

[Yubiquitoyama]

Bad English??

I always thought Shiroikuma's English is awesome...

Having just read through most of his site (for the first time in quite a while), I'm pretty confident that Shiroikuma's error percentage is probably lower than that of many native English speakers who I've encountered on the 'net. :-) There are a couple of sentences that could use an additional comma or two to make them more easily understood, but that doesn't seem to be an English-as-a-second-language effect...several of my American friends have a similar aversion to commas. (In love...)

As an american with above-average language skills, I was very impressed with his site, his use of language, and the narrative.

C.

Chino-san,

Love the avatar.

You do mean in relation to other American's(note the use of the first "A"), of course(?).

I understand that you,as an American,still pronounce "Z" without the D.

(Thats me stuffing around,again).

Anyway,with all this talk about spelling,commas and written English in general,its beginning to feel like a spelling bee(hope my spelling is good) around here.

For mine,anybody who can put a point across is good enough for mine.Besides,this type of thing is too easy.

Oppression be my enemy.

(I reserve the right to spell any bloody word, the way I like.I may even leave out commas).

Mojo-san,

How you getting on?

Trust me Mojo,this question is the reason I posted here again.The other stuff is just an aside.

Eh, excuse me Ryunokaze-zeki, but exactly what is it you are rambling about??? Mojo-zeki thought Shiroikuma's text was unreadable and bad English. I suppose that might be true or not true, but you seem to attack the forum or Chinonofuji-zeki or something in this post, and I don't understand that at all. Most of us here don't have English as first language, so of course there's no particular pressure in using correct language all the time. B-)

Edited March 20, 2004 by Yubiquitoyama

[Mark Buckton]

Think Ryu-san was trying to push Mojo in the direction of a better (read: more flexible) understanding of English Yubbi. Chill.

Too many English speakers never bother to try and learn another 'go'

ANR

[Ryunokaze]

Adasan is on the right track.

Twas an Australian way of mucking about with an American.

Chinosan is welcome to have a lend anytime.

I admit that the oppression bit went a tad to far,perhaps.

Thanks for asking Yubisan.

I really wanted to know what Mojo was upto and got caught in the moment.

I like the quote, in the quote, in the quote,in the quote.Is there a limit for quotes inside quotes?I should have quoted again.

[Manekineko]

the quote, in the quote, in the quote,in the quote.Is there a limit for quotes inside quotes?I should have quoted again.

Test forum is there for all your wildest attempts. (In a state of confusion...) Let us know of your results!

[Chinonofuji]

Bad English??

I always thought Shiroikuma's English is awesome...

Having just read through most of his site (for the first time in quite a while), I'm pretty confident that Shiroikuma's error percentage is probably lower than that of many native English speakers who I've encountered on the 'net. (Bye, bye...) There are a couple of sentences that could use an additional comma or two to make them more easily understood, but that doesn't seem to be an English-as-a-second-language effect...several of my American friends have a similar aversion to commas. (I was stupid...)

As an american with above-average language skills, I was very impressed with his site, his use of language, and the narrative.

C.

Chino-san,

Love the avatar.

You do mean in relation to other American's(note the use of the first "A"), of course(?).

I understand that you,as an American,still pronounce "Z" without the D.

(Thats me stuffing around,again).

Indeed, Americans. Well put, and no harm done at all. (But notice, no apostrophe -- i.e. Americans, not American's -- plural, not possessive.)

Whew, no more grammar!

It took me a while to understand the "Z" with no "d" comment, but you're correct! I think 95% of Americans would be surprised to hear that anyone would pronounce our beloved "zee" as "zed." We are a funny, isolated people, you know. (In a state of confusion...)

There are actually a number of colloquialisms you use, R-san, that are new to me (like "stuffing around" -- never heard that before). It's fun for me to figure out what you're saying.

OK, this is way off topic now. Back to sumo, yes?

[Guest Mojo]

Mojo-san,

How you getting on?

Trust me Mojo,this question is the reason I posted here again.The other stuff is just an aside.

Ryunokaze,

I'm ok, getting on fine. I haven't really done much except I have gained 4 pounds and developed bigger muscles, I have start doing alot more weight training.

Ohh and I have just started a Japanese course. (Blushing...)

[Ryunokaze]

Chinosan,

True.You got my point anyway.I had a good laugh at myself and you had to think about my quaint Australian expressions.Its all good.

I am glad I didn't cause offense.Was not my intention and rarely is.

Thx for the chuckle.

Mojosan,

Good for you,keep at it.

Nihongo wa ii desu ka.

Any luck with the BSF?

Any luck with getting a book or two, on sumo, in England?

[Guest Mojo]

Mojosan,

Good for you,keep at it.

Nihongo wa ii desu ka.

Any luck with the BSF?

Any luck with getting a book or two, on sumo, in England?

Ryunokaze,

Hai Nihongo wa ii desu.

Is that right? I don't really know what I'm saying yet :-) Give me a few weeks...

I have not called the BSF yet, but I think they are far from where I live... maybe I will try e-mailing them again.

I haven't looked for books on Sumo yet... gosh I sound so stupid, I haven't done much have I... B-) B-)

[Manekineko]

Mojo-zeki, don't feel down because you haven't done as much as you expected - as long as you keep on pouring your efforts, eventually you will get there! Ganbatte! ;-)

[Guest Mojo]

Mojo-zeki, don't feel down because you haven't done as much as you expected - as long as you keep on pouring your efforts, eventually you will get there! Ganbatte!  :-P

Manekineko-zeki

I know....I just feel that I could have done more, but I am abit lazy.... (Going kyujo...)

I will get there, eventually.... B-)

[Ryunokaze]

Keep at it Mojo.

Even if you cant become a sumotori,Japanese language skills are a valuable thing to have.Any second language is good to have.Wish I had worked at it when I had good opportunity to.

You should be able to find heaps of books on the net.Videos are good too,but harder to come by, I would think.A good one showing you what you may be in for is an NHK special on Ozeki Takanohana.A really good example of the type of bullying that gets dished out in the hope of improving fighting spirit.If I knew how, I would post part of it here.Not sure about copyright and stuff too?(who would care,I am not sure)

Not going to try Judo?

[Guest Mojo]

Ryunokaze,

I really want to become a sumotori.... (Clapping wildly...)

I will try to email the BSF again and if email doesn't work again then I will call them. (Whistling...) Do you think the BSF could help me?

Judo...umm I don't know, I think I will try to contact the BSF first.... :-O

[Yubiquitoyama]

Judo...umm I don't know, I think I will try to contact the BSF first.... (Clapping wildly...)

Many sumotori come from a Judo background (among them former BSF chairman and Eurosport Sumo commentator Syd Hoare) and even if it isn't necessary, it might help to develop some basic movements and instincts connected to any combat sport. One Ozeki (Kaiketsu) even came from college judo competition, but more common are those who have done both judo and sumo before becoming pro. This includes for example Chiyotaikai, Kaio, Asashoryu and a whole bunch of other sekitori. Even a huge rikishi as Yokozuna Onokuni (some 200kg) of the 1980s had judo background.

I'm just saying that at least as long as you don't have any possibility to immediately start with sumo, judo might not be entirely wrong, and almost certainly easier to find around where you live.

Edited March 24, 2004 by Yubiquitoyama

[Yoavoshimaru]

Plus judo is great fun from day 1! Who wants to do matawaki when you get to throw people to the floor? (Clapping wildly...)

[Guest Mojo]

I want to do Matawari! (Bleh!)

Nah, your right Yubiquitoyama, I will think about it....... (Clapping wildly...)

[aderechelsea]

This includes for example Chiyotaikai, Kaio, Asashoryu and a whole bunch of other sekitori. Even a huge rikishi as Yokozuna Onokuni (some 200kg) of the 1980s had judo background.

@mojo-san :

i think these guys had better things to do too than go to judo classes , but decided it would be usefull to them.......

reconsider your view on the subject .......

seeing Kaio doing an ipponzeoi kimarite to Musashimaru (for example) shows you how his judo experience helped him...... ;-)

[Ryunokaze]

Mojosan,

As you can tell.People around here are supporting you, in your quest to become a rikishi.

The BSF is great ,but as you see ,it is not so easy to get involved with.Judo is your second best option and it gets you moving in the right direction.You could be training tomorrow.The skills you learn,no matter how simple, will be an asset and demonstrate your will to take to your task.It is an easy option and you should be doing it NOW.

You can do it Mojo, but you must be going forward TODAY.You must have the full support of your family, as you must visit Japan SOON.This will cost big money, when you add up all the costs.If you can not convince your folks,then I am sorry to say, you will not convince a Beya.

Perhaps you should focus on amature sumo,Mojosan?

[Guest Mojo]

Mojosan, 

As you can tell.People around here are supporting you, in your quest to become a rikishi.

The BSF is great ,but as you see ,it is not so easy to get involved with.Judo is your second best option and it gets you moving in the right direction.You could be training tomorrow.The skills you learn,no matter how simple, will be an asset and demonstrate your will to take to your task.It is an easy option and you should be doing it NOW.

You can do it Mojo, but you must be going forward TODAY.You must have the full support of your family, as you must visit Japan SOON.This will cost big money, when you add up all the costs.If you can not convince your folks,then I am sorry to say, you will not convince a Beya.

Perhaps you should focus on amature sumo,Mojosan?

Ryunokaze-san,

I am very much considering starting judo, as you all seem to think it would help me very much in the future... :-(

My parents don't yet know that I want to join a heya in Japan but I am sure that my father would support me in my quest.... :-P

When I visit Japan...how should I go about finding a heya? (Smoking pipe...) That seems like a hard thing to do....

[Yubiquitoyama]

When I visit Japan...how should I go about finding a heya?

Edited March 25, 2004 by Yubiquitoyama

[Guest Mojo]

....How do I find someone with contacts?.... (In a state of confusion...)

EDIT: Also how long is a rikishi in training?

Edited March 25, 2004 by Mojo

[aderechelsea]

EDIT: Also how long is a rikishi in training?

(In a state of confusion...) (In a state of confusion...)

what do you mean.......?

[Guest Mojo]

EDIT: Also how long is a rikishi in training?

(In a state of confusion...) (In a state of confusion...)

what do you mean.......?

How long after joining a heya does a rikishi start fighting in tournament?

How many years? (Eh?)

[aderechelsea]

i believe (and i am not an expert) that it depends on your performance in training ..........

[Asashosakari]

How long after joining a heya does a rikishi start fighting in tournament?

How many years? (In a state of confusion...)

Considering that the young kids who join Ozumo generally finish middle school around March of any year and already appear in mae-zumo during the same month, I think you would be competing pretty quickly. From what I remember reading about some of the recent foreigners (Kazafuzan in particular), I've got the impression that it's not much different for foreign rikishi either. So I imagine, once you've officially joined a heya, you will be registered to compete in the next mae-zumo competition (or perhaps the second one, if you joined right before a basho).

[Guest Mojo]

Sounds fast....I'd be so nervous! (In a state of confusion...)