What about "Japanese sumo"

[Shimpu]

Asashoryu is unquestionable an extraordinary fighter. The fact is sumo or any other sport needs a heros. Individuals are creating a popularity of everything. Asa could be a hero of all but there is one little defect. ... He is foreigner. I think all of japanese sumofans respect him (he is worth of this) but there is a long way to really accept him as a yokozuna. Japanese are looking for anybody who is able to crash him. Do you remember bout against Tochiazuma during haru basho? I would like to ask native japanese and all sumofans what next. No japanese rikishi in sanyaku? I think there can't be sumo without japanese fighters. No japanese winners, no sponsors, no money, no sport. Will Asa destroy sumo? What about Yamatodamashii?

I think japanese needs new Kamikaze to blow away another mongolian golden horde ;-) I hope Sawai is going to make it.

BIG sorry for my poor english ;-)

[Jonosuke]

I think there can't be sumo without japanese fighters. No japanese winners, no sponsors, no money, no sport. Will Asa destroy sumo?

The last point, first, No. Ozumo is much bigger than one rikishi regardless of how dominant he is.

As for no sponsors, Asashoryu garnered more Kenshos than anyone else. As for no money, Ozumo has been struggling along ever since Taka-Waka left the scene. What it needs right now is more quality opponents and rivals for Asashoryu, perhaps another Yokozuna, not even a Japanese born. We need someone to capture the imagination of the fans and non-fans alike.

I saw those thousands of fans who went to Bangkok to cheer the Japan's national team today for qualifying to the World Cup. The fans had no chance ever of getting into the stadium and cheer for the team playing against a rather pitiful North Korea. The closest the fans could come was outside the gate screaming "Nippon, Nippon" and beating their drums or watch the match on TV at a nearby hotel. To be just there, they spent a great deal of their time, money and energy

Of course we can't really compare six bashos a year Ozumo with once every four year World Cup but the point I am trying to make is that Ozumo needs to bring in more young blood to get more younger fans in. They need a new mindset that it's not just enough to fill Masu seats to have a good basho but generating more excitement so more people will occupy the second floor and interested in watching the daily bouts. Of couse it's much easier said than done when you see the sold out banner coming down even though the place is only 75% filled.

[Ryukaze]

I'd love to see "Ozumo" go international, but I think its pretty clear that if this is ever going to happen countries outside of Japan are going to have to take the first steps as the "sakokuJidai" still holds true on Japans national sport.

But I must agree with you however I think a "Native" Yokozuna would do wonders for the sports popularity. As great as it would be to just have another "Yokozuna" in general foreign or not, more native competators would no doubt rekindle the sports popularity a great deal more for the Japanese in my opinion. For the time being though I guess we'll just have to get used to seeing Asashoryu getting "zensho-yusho" after zensho-yusho lol cause right now there's no one that can stop him! lol -

Edited June 8, 2005 by Ryukaze

[genghis]

I'd love to see "Ozumo" go international

this is possible only if you see sumo in purely sporting terms. O-zumo is more than that. its tied in with the culture and traditions of japan.

international professional sumo would have to come from the amateur game as that IS purely a sport.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

As Japanese did for Judo and Karate, Sumo could revive as a world sport. It can be a unique instrument for both Japanese people and rest of the world, to understand and appreciate the very culture of Japan. I can't tell you how many millions of people around the globe study Kendo today. I can't also imagine any sport, where money can be made, that is not international. Sumo is a very big and attractive show business on its own right.

Having foreign Yokozuna will never make Sumo foreign, I guess. In contrast, it is very nice to see how Sumo makes foreigners into a real Samurais. Asashoryu might be, in some way, saving Sumo by acting as a sole Yokozuna, challenging the natives to rise against him.

[Asashosakari]

But I must agree with you however I think a "Native" Yokozuna would do wonders for the sports popularity.

Edited June 9, 2005 by Asashosakari

[Shimpu]

I'd love to see "Ozumo" go international

Yes, absolutely yes. Sumo is more interesting WITH foringers but as long as they keep losing ;-)

I give an exsemple to clarify my point of view. In my country in late 90's no one knows anything about ski-jumping. Then one of ours jumpers started to win. He was great. Everybody loved ski-jumping and supported him. Even though he looks quite corny ;-) Then another great ski jumper started his winning streak. Great German ski-jumper - Svan Hannavald. Of course emotions got higher - two superjumpers. But then he shellack our superfighter. No one loves ski jumping most any more. Yes they still rooting him but its not the same when yours guy is on the top.

[Manekineko]

Then one of ours jumpers started to win. He was great. Everybody loved ski-jumping and supported him. Even though he looks quite corny  ;-)

[...]

No one loves ski jumping most any more. Yes they still rooting him but its not the same when yours guy is on the top.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

;-) Malysz? He was really a surprise when he became so good. But now I'm even used to his mustache. :-P

As for sumo - the difference between ski-jumping in Poland and sumo in Japan is that, as you say it yourself, ski-jumping was never really popular in Poland *until* Malysz started winning. This could be compared to alpine skiing in Croatia: before Kostelić siblings started winning, the interest existed but it never drew crowds of supporters. Now Croats in general are suddenly great skiing fans and experts, but the interest could easily wane if there are no new Croatian stars to replace Kostelićs.

Sumo, OTOH, is truly a Japanese sport. For it to completely lose popularity in Japan would be like Nordic skiing losing popularity in Norway, or Alpine skiing in Austria. (Nodding yes...) Or tennis in England - when was the last time an Englishman won Wimbledon? And still it hasn't lost popularity, AFAIK.

So, I don't think there's much danger to sumo from Asa or other foreign-born rikishi. Of course that Japanese audience would prefer to see their man win, but they will appreciate anyone as long as the sumo is good and exciting. And as Asashosakari says, one man's utter dominance is not exciting. (I even stopped watching F1 'cause Schumacher's dominance bored me - and I used to be a Ferrari fan back in times of Alesi-Berger combo!)

[Shimpu]

For it to completely lose popularity in Japan would be like Nordic skiing losing popularity in Norway, or Alpine skiing in Austria. biggrin.gif Or tennis in England - when was the last time an Englishman won Wimbledon? And still it hasn't lost popularity, AFAIK.

In other hand sumo means much more for japanese then tennis for englishman. That is the point. It is not only sport. It's part of culture. I think it will be very difficult for them to accept for example all sanyaku made of foringers (I generalize a little bit) This is true threat.

[Jonosuke]

I think it will be very difficult for them to accept for example all sanyaku made of foringers (I generalize a little bit) This is true  threat.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

It may be to you but doesn't appear to be to many in Japan as I don't see anyone throwing zabutons over to the general direction of Kokugikan even though the next basho, the only Japanese born Sanyaku may be Kotomitsuki.

So sure we could see all non-Japanese born Sanyaku pretty soon and it will be dutifully reported by the media and posted here by Kinta san and likely we will be the only ones to get excited.

Pundits can argue all they want about the threat but most do not really care. Besides it isn't Ozumo getting assimilated, it's the other way around. It's like Asashoryu using his right hand to pick up the kensho, sooner or later they will be all assimilated. And that is the way of sumo for centuries whether you are from Aomori or Argentine.

(Edit: Having said that the Kyokai does have certain reservation or why would they institute an "official" policy of one foreign born rikishi per heya though this could change in time.)

Edited June 9, 2005 by Jonosuke

[hoshidango]

Then one of ours jumpers started to win. He was great. Everybody loved ski-jumping and supported him. Even though he looks quite corny

[Shomishuu]

Now sorry for my ignorance but what are OTOH, AFAIK, and lol?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Can't believe I'm the first one to get to this but here're my guesses:

OTOH = On the other hand

AFAIK = As Far As I Know

LOL = Lots of Luck

Haven't seen a 'glossary' yet, just divined it, hopes it's right....LOL.

[Jejima]

LOL = laughing out loud

[Jejima]

when was the last time an Englishman won Wimbledon?

Jeremy Bates in 1987. (Bleh!)

[Chiyozakura]

when was the last time an Englishman won Wimbledon?

Jeremy Bates in 1987. (Bleh!)

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Did he win a match? (Ranting...)

I thought 1987 had been the year of one of my all-time favourites, Pat Cash...

[ragerkawa]

when was the last time an Englishman won Wimbledon?

Jeremy Bates in 1987. (Bleh!)

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Did he win a match? (Ranting...)

I thought 1987 had been the year of one of my all-time favourites, Pat Cash...

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Bates won the mixed doubles title, didn't he?

[aderechelsea]

doubles don't count .... :-P

especially mixed ones ...

[hoshidango]

Thanks Shomishuu & Jejima.