Scandal fallout

[Peterao]

Conversely, the city of Yanagigawa announced today that they are still supporting Kotoshogiku. "The extent of his involvement was small, and it appears that he will avoid punishment by the Kyokai" says the mayor. "It seems that it will be decided for certain after the July 4th meeting, but if the Nagoya Basho goes on as scheduled, we would like to continue supporting him."

His koenkai is also in the process of determining whether or not to go through with launching fireworks on the days of his victories in Nagoya.

The verdict is in. No fireworks after Kotoshogiku victories this basho.

[Otokonoyama]

A couple English articles to add to the fray...

For many of the dozens of wrestlers and former wrestlers caught up in the gambling scandal now rocking the sumo establishment, financial common sense has never been a part of their world.

Exposure to large sums of money, even as a rookie, is part of a sumo career. The stronger a sumo wrestler becomes, the greater will be his rewards.

But, while huge sums of money flow through the sport, wrestlers' financial experience usually has little to do with personal responsibility.

http://www.asahi.com/english/TKY201007020493.html

It is natural for some sumo-goers to demand their tickets be refunded because those star wrestlers are not appearing in the tourney. Public broadcaster NHK will decide on July 6 or soon after whether to air the tournament live, while some sponsors have decided to withhold monetary prizes for winning grapplers. Regrettably, the embattled sumo world must reap what it has sown.

The upcoming tournament, which was once on the verge of cancellation, faces extraordinarily intense public scrutiny. Modern sumo fans suspect the JSA's punishments for sumo wrestlers and stablemasters, as well as their probation currently under way, are only nominal. They are apparently not as indifferent to shady affairs as the sumo fans of the Edo period.

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/perspectives/news/2...0na002000c.html

[Asashosakari]

You know, I find it interesting how the conventional wisdom on sumotori has suddenly turned 180

[Kotoviki]

You know, I find it interesting how the conventional wisdom on sumotori has suddenly turned 180

[Kotoviki]

Not sure about the details because I didn't find this anywhere myself but my co-worker told me yesterday that Musashigawa is in the hospital (or was yesterday) admitted for a high blood pressure attack. Anyone else here this anywhere?

And before anyone makes any other comments.. this is how my grandmother died last nakabi so I'm a little sympathetic if this is indeed true.

[Asashosakari]

Not sure about the details because I didn't find this anywhere myself but my co-worker told me yesterday that Musashigawa is in the hospital (or was yesterday) admitted for a high blood pressure attack. Anyone else here this anywhere?

Sports Hochi among others, on Thursday. Did this not get posted here? I thought it did, but I can't find it now.

the conventional wisdom on sumotori has suddenly turned ... to "All these rikishi have too easy access to far too much money."

wondering the same (Laughing...)

The way young people's minds work, I wonder if this sudden focus on the money that can be earned in Ozumo will even encourage a few more to give it a shot. (Neener, neener...)

Couldn't the Kyokai simply hire a bunch of financial advisors to counsel and inform the rikishi on monetary matters, possibly throughout their careers if some rikishi requests it? They're adding more and more outside advice to the sumo school education already, this seems like the logical next step, and far less paternalistic than some of the other ideas going around for how to get these supposed doofuses back in line and behaving according to societal standards.

[Kotoviki]

Not sure about the details because I didn't find this anywhere myself but my co-worker told me yesterday that Musashigawa is in the hospital (or was yesterday) admitted for a high blood pressure attack. Anyone else here this anywhere?

Sports Hochi among others, on Thursday. Did this not get posted here? I thought it did, but I can't find it now.

Ok then an update!!! I just got a mail back from Musashimaru & he says Musashigawa is not in the hospital now and he is there in Nagoya.. and thanks for asking!!

He also mentions it is very hot there and he likes it that way!

[Orion]

You know, I find it interesting how the conventional wisdom on sumotori has suddenly turned 180

[Asashosakari]

Kinshin'ed shimpan-bucho Kokonoe-oyakata will be replaced during Nagoya basho by deputy riji Nakamura-oyakata, also of the Takasago-ichimon. Regular shimpan Sadogatake and Kasugano who are confined as well will likely also be substituted with other oyakata from their respective ichimons, though nobody has been named yet.

[Kotoviki]

Kinshin'ed shimpan-bucho Kokonoe-oyakata will be replaced during Nagoya basho by deputy riji Nakamura-oyakata, also of the Takasago-ichimon. Regular shimpan Sadogatake and Kasugano who are confined as well will likely also be substituted with other oyakata from their respective ichimons, though nobody has been named yet.

Oh good, I like Nakamura better anyway (Laughing...)

He's always smiling and friendly!!!!

[ilovesumo]

Kinshin'ed shimpan-bucho Kokonoe-oyakata will be replaced during Nagoya basho by deputy riji Nakamura-oyakata, also of the Takasago-ichimon. Regular shimpan Sadogatake and Kasugano who are confined as well will likely also be substituted with other oyakata from their respective ichimons, though nobody has been named yet.

Oh good, I like Nakamura better anyway (Laughing...)

He's always smiling and friendly!!!!

Nothing against Kokonoe, but it was a real loss when Nakamura gave up on shinpanning.

If you sit there for a whole day, during all the matches, you often look at the shinpan (especially during sandanme).

Nakamura is an entertainer and a smart guy - he is the one sending his boys to high school to let em become more relaxed about their future life.

Great one. (Neener, neener...)

Edited July 3, 2010 by ilovesumo

[Kotoviki]

The only thing about him taking over for Kokonoe means he'll just be there for Makuuchi or Juryo..... one duty of the day!

[Orion]

You know, I find it interesting how the conventional wisdom on sumotori has suddenly turned 180

[Orion]

Couldn't the Kyokai simply hire a bunch of financial advisors to counsel and inform the rikishi on monetary matters, possibly throughout their careers if some rikishi requests it? They're adding more and more outside advice to the sumo school education already, this seems like the logical next step, and far less paternalistic than some of the other ideas going around for how to get these supposed doofuses back in line and behaving according to societal standards.

Now this is a really good idea, and it could start in the Kyoshujo, the sumo school at the rear of the Kokugikan where all the new entrants have to spend half a year after admission. The raw beginners start early with basic sumo excercises, but after a break for showers, all of them, including the university entrants, are obliged to attend the classes on six days a week. They could put it into the 'Civics' lesson.

Orion, who has, in the past, personally escorted plural foreign journalists, and helped organise two press tours for foreign correspondents, to the Kyoshujo.

[Peterao]

Looks like the Rockettes have some competition...

[Kintamayama]

Looks like the Rockettes have some competition...

Or everyone waiting eagerly for the Viagra to kick in..

[Jonosuke]

The only thing about him taking over for Kokonoe means he'll just be there for Makuuchi or Juryo..... one duty of the day!

The reason he only does one duty is because he will have to work on and be in Torikumi meeting and that does take quite a bit of time.

[Jonosuke]

And it suddenly hit me as I was on the train home from a gathering of _real_ sumo experts (from the view of those who have followed sumo all their lives from the outside): and it suddenly hit me: given the reputation of yakuza from way back, why are the yakuza informants now being treated as reliable sources of of information? Surely a yakuza can tell lies if it suits him or his bosses, just as anybody else can, in a society which is based on false dealings?

I am sure Yakuza guys have their own code of conduct but some reporters achieve the level of their own moral standard.

[Asashosakari]

I wonder how long that bad boy from Kyushu that Otake recruited recently will stick around now.

[Kintamayama]

I wonder how long that bad boy from Kyushu that Otake recruited recently will stick around now.

And how long before Oolala and Migikataagarizashiki will make another shikona change.

[Kotoviki]

The only thing about him taking over for Kokonoe means he'll just be there for Makuuchi or Juryo..... one duty of the day!

The reason he only does one duty is because he will have to work on and be in Torikumi meeting and that does take quite a bit of time.

Yes, I know but ilovesumo's thing is that we enjoyed seeing Nakamura in the early mornings when he was often laughing and smiling and couldn't keep a straight face when the young yobidashi and gyoji's voices crack. Nakamura is back but he will not be there early in the morning of course... shame!

[Jonosuke]

The only thing about him taking over for Kokonoe means he'll just be there for Makuuchi or Juryo..... one duty of the day!

The reason he only does one duty is because he will have to work on and be in Torikumi meeting and that does take quite a bit of time.

Yes, I know but ilovesumo's thing is that we enjoyed seeing Nakamura in the early mornings when he was often laughing and smiling and couldn't keep a straight face when the young yobidashi and gyoji's voices crack. Nakamura is back but he will not be there early in the morning of course... shame!

You know the boys are all right - I recall just brand new kid looking like a 10 year old stepped on the dohyo with almost boy soprano voice started calling a couple newly banzuke Jonokuchi boys, followed by another new gyoji looking like 12 year old with higher pitch. All the shimpan guys couldn't focus on the bout as they were laughing so hard, Izutsu even falling down from his zabuton and another yobidashi came over to straighten out the zabuto.

So don't tell me all the guys in Ozumo are involved in gambling.....in its core it's still a wonderful sport.

[ilovesumo]

The only thing about him taking over for Kokonoe means he'll just be there for Makuuchi or Juryo..... one duty of the day!

The reason he only does one duty is because he will have to work on and be in Torikumi meeting and that does take quite a bit of time.

Yes, I know but ilovesumo's thing is that we enjoyed seeing Nakamura in the early mornings when he was often laughing and smiling and couldn't keep a straight face when the young yobidashi and gyoji's voices crack. Nakamura is back but he will not be there early in the morning of course... shame!

You know the boys are all right - I recall just brand new kid looking like a 10 year old stepped on the dohyo with almost boy soprano voice started calling a couple newly banzuke Jonokuchi boys, followed by another new gyoji looking like 12 year old with higher pitch. All the shimpan guys couldn't focus on the bout as they were laughing so hard, Izutsu even falling down from his zabuton and another yobidashi came over to straighten out the zabuto.

So don't tell me all the guys in Ozumo are involved in gambling.....in its core it's still a wonderful sport.

Yes, it is. And that is why peope like me are worried, angry and eager for useful changes.

I do not see the scandals as the main problems. It's the changing society which doesn't fit "into the Sumo-world" anymore...

[Asashosakari]

The names of 46 people with non-baseball-related smaller gambling offenses have been released. An additional 3 people were not named due to being minors.

Oyakata (9): Michinoku (ex-Kirishima), Hakkaku (ex-Hokutoumi), Matsugane (ex-Wakashimazu), Sadogatake (ex-Kotonowaka), Kumegawa (ex-Kotoinazuma), Shiratama (ex-Kototsubaki), Nakagawa (ex-Asahisato), Wakafuji (ex-Otsukasa), Azumazeki (ex-Ushiomaru)

Makuuchi (6): Hakuho, Kisenosato, Asasekiryu, Kakizoe, Kotoshogiku, Kakuryu

Juryo (5): Tochinonada, Kasugao, Kotokasuga, Masatsukasa, Kyokunankai

Toriteki (17): Kirinowaka, Jumonji, Oniarashi, Dewaotori, Fujimoto, Daikamifusa, Dainin, Kanai, Kiriarashi, Yamaryu, Kirizakura, Kinokawa, Koju, Juban (shhhh...), Daika, Daitenpaku, Kirimaru

Gyoji (1): Kimura Hisayuki

Wakaimonogashira (3): Kotochitose, Zenshinyama, Shiraiwa

Yobidashi (3): Kotoyoshi, Matsuo, Satoru

Tokoyama (2): Tokosado, Tokoyodo

Looks like fun times among the officials at Sadogatake and among the rikishi at Michinoku...

Edited July 5, 2010 by Asashosakari

[Kintamayama]

Sugiyo, the last company left that advertises on the yobidashi's kimono, are on the way out as well, so it looks like the yobidashi will wear plain, unmarked kimonos for Nagoya. Maybe we should sponsor them.