Maku Rikishis Favorite/Not Favorite Subjects

[Jonosuke]

Now that the Natsu Basho is a few days away, this is just the thing to get you in the mood.

These snippets are from NHK's Ozumo Chukei magazine this month, asking each Makuuchi rikishi their favorite and most disliked subjects while they were going to school. There were accompanying kesho mawashi pics but I hardly have any more pic space left, so they were left out.

I also included Taiho oyakata's comment on each rikishi.

Asashoryu:

I loved History class. I love reading the memoirs of historical figures from various countries. The figure I especially admire is, of course, my birthplace

Edited May 6, 2005 by Jonosuke

[Manekineko]

(Enjoying a beer...)

[Burainoan]

(Enjoying a beer...) (Enjoying a beer...)

Very interesting! thanks, Jonosuke!

as a minor addendum, Hideyo Noguchi is featured on the new Y1000 bills, having replaced Natsume Soseki when they released the new ones in November.

[Azumashida]

Great round-up of really interesting info!

Hayateumi

My favorite subject was English. I never felt I was forced to do anything in the class. I just remember I had lot of fun in the class.  English class has been my favorite since I was in middle school but once I got to high school and university and had opportunities to go abroad for sumo tournaments, I began to like it even more. When I witnessed people from different background and nationality communicating through English, I felt the power the English language possessed.

Nice to know that one of my favorite rikishi seems to be able to speak and understand English well. I'd like to send him some encouragements especially since he has been struggling with yet more injuries lately. Would anyone know whether one can drop him a line somewhere online (on the Oitekaze beya site maybe?)? And how should I address him (Hayateumi-zeki?)?

[ilovesumo]

Kotomitsuki and Takamisakari have similar interests (Enjoying a beer...) History and Manga. Maybe that's why Takamisakari plays ROBOCOP (Enjoying a beer...)

Why do most of them dislike English...?

I can understand everybody who hates Russian, but English?. Is it because of the SPO- sentence? Japanese has SOP- that's driving me crazy...

Hayateumi is right. Languages are important to know (Enjoying a beer...) .

Is it right that Iwakiyama was a teacher before he joined Ozumo?

[Naganoyama]

Thanks for this report. Great stuff! (Enjoying a beer...)

Taiho oyakata on Tokitenku: His sumo is rather puny. Rather than trying to fuss around with some leg moves, he should focus more on fundamentals. Go hit and push forward first.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Taiho is obviously not that keen on Tokitenku. Possibly the least complimentary of his comments. Puny eh!

[Elenrian]

What's strange is that no one hates philosophy ( it is really ;-) )

I think that some rikishi don't like English, because it is not like Japanese : they have to learn how to write, and the grammar is totally different, the prononciation is very hard (all the more for a Japanese), etc.

[Otokonoyama]

Why do most of them dislike English...?

I can understand everybody who hates Russian, but English?. Is it because of the SPO- sentence? Japanese has SOP- that's driving me crazy...

Hayateumi is right. Languages are important to know :-) .

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I think it's because of the way English is taught in Japan; as an academic subject, not as a living language and tool for communication. Emphasis is placed on grammatical minutiae and rote memorization.

Language is very similar to sports and music. To truly understand and be able to use it, you must practice, practice, practice. You can't just read about it and expect to be able to use it.

Trust me, I tried! ;-)

[Higashimori]

Nice to know that one of my favorite rikishi seems to be able to speak and understand English well. I'd like to send him some encouragements especially since he has been struggling with yet more injuries lately. Would anyone know whether one can drop him a line somewhere online (on the Oitekaze beya site maybe?)? And how should I address him (Hayateumi-zeki?)?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

this email addy is listed on the Oitekaze site: oitekaze@k8.88.99dion.ne.jp . Have no way of knowing whether email to that would get to Hayateumi though....

[Azumashida]

this email addy is listed on the Oitekaze site: oitekaze@k8.88.99dion.ne.jp . Have no way of knowing whether email to that would get to Hayateumi though....

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Thanks Higashimori, I'll try that...

[ilovesumo]

Why do most of them dislike English...?

I can understand everybody who hates Russian, but English?. Is it because of the SPO- sentence? Japanese has SOP- that's driving me crazy...

Hayateumi is right. Languages are important to know :-) .

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I think it's because of the way English is taught in Japan; as an academic subject, not as a living language and tool for communication. Emphasis is placed on grammatical minutiae and rote memorization.

Language is very similar to sports and music. To truly understand and be able to use it, you must practice, practice, practice. You can't just read about it and expect to be able to use it.

Trust me, I tried! ;-)

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I am (trying to) learn(ing) English here. I's true, using it=learning it.

So thank you all! (Sigh...)

Sure, have to learn much more.

@Azumaryu

Why don't you write a fan letter? You can use "Hayateumi-zeki" as name and than you go on with the Beya-adress.

Edited May 6, 2005 by ilovesumo

[Sasanishiki]

I'm glad to see that so many liked history...I'm that way inclined.

Just to burst Kotomitsuki's bubble, Hideyoshi Toyotomi was never officially Shogun. He took the title kampaku, which was akin to the title of Regent that the Fujiwaras had held centuries before.

[Mark Buckton]

(Whistling...)  (Whistling...)

Very interesting!  thanks, Jonosuke!

as a minor addendum, Hideyo Noguchi is featured on the new Y1000 bills, having replaced Natsume Soseki when they released the new ones in November.

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and as another - his real name (at birth) wasn't Hideyo but Seisaku - changed it after a rather distasteful character in a book at the time had the name Seisaku Nonoguchi - didn't want to be associated with such.

[sekihiryu]

Wakanosato

I liked Geography class. Ever since I was a little kid, I was good at remembering roads. I’d never forget a street if I walked on it once. I’d never ever got lost in my life.

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wow! (Whistling...) Wakanosato IS my long lost twin brother! -

in the Wakanosato featured Rikishi thread I wrote -

"he is my sumo twin! aswell as the being born at the same time, having the same birthmark, we were both called vacuum cleaners!

I eat a lot too and my dad called me Vaxman - after Vax a famous brand of vacuum cleaner - I hoovered the family pantry clean on a daily basis"

Geography was my favourite school subject too, hands down! got the school prize 2 years running (Whistling...)

freaky I wonder what other spooky coincidences we share - I wonder if he likes anago? :-)

[Kishinoyama]

What a great post Jonosuke! Information that makes these guys even more interesting!! (Struck by lightning...)