Corona and sumo

[Tsuchinoninjin]

1 hour ago, Seiyashi said:

That conflates the powers that be behind both situations, though. Asanoyama was punished by the NSK for violating the rules that would minimise damage if a basho took place, given the reality that they had to hold basho or go deeper into the red with no government support forthcoming. I'm actually fairly happy with the NSK regarding its corona measures, because those were actually very sane and fairly effective compared to their injury measures in place until very recently. That's bearing in mind that their objective is not to eliminate it entirely but make sure the basho can go on.

The Japanese government is sort of held hostage to the Olympics by the IOC with no real easy way out - it's either going ahead and risking more infections or losing a lot of money in sunk costs and damages. It's understandable why they went ahead as a default option, although one does wish (and I'm sure most Tokyoites wish so too) that their government had had a bit more gumption and was either more decisive in dealing with the pandemic, or had the cojones to just put their foot down to the IOC. It's not so much insanity or even incompetence, just a lack of, I don't know, drive? Vision? Direction?

Yeah, I know that, pragmatically,  there are power dynamics at play, especially regarding the billions of dollars in broadcast rights. But from the perspective of an impartial visiting outer-space alien who is trying to be logical, its all very insane. I mean, how many meetings must have there been with a big room of high-level executives (and the according high dollar per hour cost of these meetings) where the completely wrong conclusion was reached because of expectations of other, invisible, executives on other continents? And now those invisible executives are complaining not enough people are watching (hmm wonder why). Its a cosmic joke.

I agree the NSK is doing pretty well. Unfortunately they had first hand experience early on, so I would guess most of them understand what is at stake, especially since they are probably one of the high-risk groups in Japan. Really the government should be supporting them financially to allow empty basho. Considering the isu seki is full of tourists brought there by the overall government tourism strategy. The kicker is if there was no olympics they probably would have enough resources to do so.

[Churaumi]

If the bubble was a true bubble, and people weren't allowed in or out of the Olympic Village and their venues, it would make sense to me. When the committee said strict measures were in place, and I almost immediately saw posts from athletes sightseeing in Tokyo, my faith in the COVID prevention measures fell off.

[Kujo]

9 hours ago, Seiyashi said:

It's understandable why they went ahead as a default option, although one does wish (and I'm sure most Tokyoites wish so too) that their government had had a bit more gumption and was either more decisive in dealing with the pandemic, or had the cojones to just put their foot down to the IOC. It's not so much insanity or even incompetence, just a lack of, I don't know, drive? Vision? Direction?

I think the term your are looking for is "lack of kintamayamas"  

[sumojoann]

8 hours ago, Kujo said:

I think the term your are looking for is "lack of kintamayamas"  

Several years ago, when I innocently told a Japanese sumo friend of mine to be sure to watch Kintamayama's videos on Youtube, he freaked out & said,  "Those are words you should NEVER say in public!!!"  I kept saying, "What?  WHY??"  He finally told me that Kintamayama means "Golden Mountain Testicles!"

Edited July 30, 2021 by sumojoann

[Seiyashi]

https://www.nikkansports.com/battle/sumo/news/202107300000873.html

One more toriteki rikishi from Takasago has tested positive.

In addition, another toriteki rikishi from another, undisclosed, heya has also tested positive.

[Seiyashi]

8 hours ago, sumojoann said:

13 hours ago, Kujo said:

I think the term your are looking for is "lack of kintamayamas"  

Several years ago, when I innocently told a Japanese sumo friend of mine to be sure to watch Kintamayama's videos on Youtube, he freaked out & said,  "Those are words you should NEVER say in public!!!"  I kept saying, "What?  WHY??"  He finally told me that Kintamayama means "Golden Mountain Testicles!"

You two might find the video snippet Tachiai posted during their interview with Kintamayama hilarious, then. It's a clip from when he was interviewed on a Japanese variety show and the moment his name was announced the crowd burst out laughing. May or may not have been canned laughter, I can't remember.

It didn't help that the announcer put a weird intonation on it, as if he couldn't believe what he was reading.

[sumojoann]

1 hour ago, Seiyashi said:

You two might find the video snippet Tachiai posted during their interview with Kintamayama hilarious, then. It's a clip from when he was interviewed on a Japanese variety show and the moment his name was announced the crowd burst out laughing. May or may not have been canned laughter, I can't remember.

It didn't help that the announcer put a weird intonation on it, as if he couldn't believe what he was reading.

Was it a Youtube video?  Do you have a link to it?  That sounds hilarious!

[Seiyashi]

2 minutes ago, sumojoann said:

Was it a Youtube video?  Do you have a link to it?  That sounds hilarious!

https://tachiai.org/2019/08/19/tachiai-interviews-kintamayama-part-5-you-cant-bleep-it-out-thats-my-name/

Seems to be on Kintamayama's channel, actually.

[Kintamayama]

8 hours ago, Seiyashi said:

You two might find the video snippet Tachiai posted during their interview with Kintamayama hilarious, then. It's a clip from when he was interviewed on a Japanese variety show and the moment his name was announced the crowd burst out laughing. May or may not have been canned laughter, I can't remember.

 

Real- quite a large studio audience. After the initial feigned shock at his saying it out loud-he used every opportunity possible to repeat it.

[Kaminariyuki]

On 30/07/2021 at 09:01, Seiyashi said:

https://tachiai.org/2019/08/19/tachiai-interviews-kintamayama-part-5-you-cant-bleep-it-out-thats-my-name/

Seems to be on Kintamayama's channel, actually.

Hey, thanks for this link! I'd asked Kinta about his name a few years ago after seeing a video of the talk show. I had also been confused by the crowd laughing at his name every time it was said. I had not seen, however, the five-part techie article, though. Much appreciated!

[Kintamayama]

Another lower division rikishi was tested positive. No heya name or rikishi name given-they are checking to see if there are others. "We are doing our best to contain these outbreaks at all times," said Shibatayama Oyakata..

Edited August 5, 2021 by Kintamayama

[Kaninoyama]

5,000 cases in Tokyo today and climbing. I'm predicting draconian COVID measures beginning conveniently after the Olympic Games are over. 

Edited August 5, 2021 by Kaninoyama

[rhyen]

6 hours ago, Kaninoyama said:

5,000 cases in Tokyo today and climbing. I'm predicting draconian COVID measures beginning conveniently after the Olympic Games are over. 

They don’t do draconian measures. Looking at the last 3 waves, especially the 2nd wave earlier this year. 

[Kaninoyama]

5 hours ago, rhyen said:

They don’t do draconian measures. Looking at the last 3 waves, especially the 2nd wave earlier this year. 

Draconian by Japan's standard. 

[Kaminariyuki]

On 30/07/2021 at 09:01, Seiyashi said:

https://tachiai.org/2019/08/19/tachiai-interviews-kintamayama-part-5-you-cant-bleep-it-out-thats-my-name/

Seems to be on Kintamayama's channel, actually.

I finished reading these five articles. You should consider starting a "Mountain of Testicles" thread, Seiyashi.. The articles are rather well written, although the author or website was a bit over the top in editing Kinta's perfectly fine English. They must have a college English major over there or something. Aside from that slightly annoying factor, a very interesting read about one of our most prolific SF members (maybe the most.prolific). Thanks again for posting the links.

[Kaminariyuki]

Really, the G20 countries should have gotten Tokyo vaccines before the Olympics, although I understand from a couple of Japanese medical doctor friend that the reason Japan is behind the curve a bit on vaccinations is that the government was typically more meticulous in their vetting process for the vaccines. The current wave is likely the result of the Delta variant kicking in along with fairly low vaccination rates, just like we're seeing in some of the less-well-informed regions of the US.

[Seiyashi]

9 minutes ago, Kaminariyuki said:

I finished reading these five articles. You should consider starting a "Mountain of Testicles" thread, Seiyashi.. The articles are rather well written, although the author or website was a bit over the top in editing Kinta's perfectly fine English. They must have a college English major over there or something. Aside from that slightly annoying factor, a very interesting read about one of our most prolific SF members (maybe the most.prolific). Thanks again for posting the links.

Tachiai was how I got started on sumo to begin with - I remember reading their back archive on basho long past before I'd started watching. It's still nice to read them for their basho coverage, and I believe some of their writers are active here, but what with the forum and Herouth on Twitter sharing sumo news faster I've relied less and less on Tachiai for sumo news.

Some of their basho pages could do with a little closer editing in terms of spotchecks for typos, though 

[rhyen]

1 hour ago, Kaninoyama said:

Draconian by Japan's standard. 

The announcement today is just them adding 8 more prefectures to the severe list. None of the existing prefectures on the severe list have been upgraded to the emergency list at the moment. 

[Kaninoyama]

3 minutes ago, rhyen said:

The announcement today is just them adding 8 more prefectures to the severe list. None of the existing prefectures on the severe list have been upgraded to the emergency list at the moment. 

The only thing I was trying to say, poorly it seems, is that given the surge in cases to heretofore unseen levels,  I anticipate it will suddenly become urgent to implement measures following the Olympics (but conveniently not during them), which may include another no-fans restriction that may affect the September basho. 

[Yamanashi]

2 hours ago, Kaminariyuki said:

along with fairly low vaccination rates, just like we're seeing in some of the less-well-informed regions of the US.

Please stick to Japanese cases if possible.

[Kintamayama]

No others infected at the heya where one rikishi was found positive yesterday. He is in lockdown outside of the heya, still no further information regarding his identity and heya affiliation. Takasago are all clear as well. Second round of vaccines have ended yesterday, except for Takasago beya , which will receive the second round of shots in a few days  

Edited August 6, 2021 by Kintamayama

[Kintamayama]

Now it's Hatachiyama Oyakata's (ex- Tochinohana) turn with the virus. The Kasugano beya attached Oyakata has got it. Those who have been in close contact with him will be tested as per the protocol. "We shall continue doing our best to abide by the guidelines and  prevent the spreading of the virus," said Shibatayama Oyakata and I'm pretty sure he didn't mean Hakuhou.

Edited August 10, 2021 by Kintamayama

[rhyen]

7 prefectures surrounding Tokyo & Osaka have been upgraded to the emergency list (highest pandemic tier). 10 more have been added to the severe list. 
No other draconian measures have been suggested or implemented yet. 

[Kintamayama]

Rikinojou, the Makuuchi yobidashi from Takasago beya has been diagnosed with the virus. "His wife was found positive," said Shibatayama PR guy. He's the guy that played the drums during the boxing at the Olympics. "We got tested together right before the games and were found negative.." added Shibs. No symptoms,  will be staying at home. All other Kyokai members were found negative at today's check-ups ahead of tomorrow's Kyokai joint keiko session. Full lockdown will be reinstated on the 27th and additional virus tests will be held right before Aki basho starts.

Edited August 22, 2021 by Kintamayama

[Churaumi]

I wonder if Google searches for house-arrest-style ankle bracelets go up jn Japan about 3 weeks before a basho...