Kensho Banners

[Asojima]

:-) For those of us who are linguisticly impaired, a general rundown on the identity of the sponsors for some commonly seen kensho banners would be interesting. I would like to know the types/identities of companies/organizations that routinely sponsor the banners. Of specific interest are the group of greenies that lead off the parade, the latecoming Ozeki (sake?) flag that shows up for most ozeki matches and the latecoming gold flag that shows up for many yokozuna matches. How are these last two different from the ones in the parade?

[madorosumaru]

(In a state of confusion...) For those of us who are linguisticly impaired, a general rundown on the identity of the sponsors for some commonly seen kensho banners would be interesting.  I would like to know the types/identities of companies/organizations that routinely sponsor the banners.  Of specific interest are the group of greenies that lead off the parade, the latecoming Ozeki (sake?) flag that shows up for most ozeki matches and the latecoming gold flag that shows up for many yokozuna matches.  How are these last two different from the ones in the parade?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

The gold or yellow banner that you see making its late appearance is from Morinaga Confectionary, maker of Morinaga caramel. They sponsor a daily poll of fans for the most anticipated "Match of the Day." The results are announced, I believe, at around dohyo-iri time, along with the names of the lucky recipients of their product, chosen at random from among the participants of the poll.

Since the yokozuna is involved in the vast majority of the "Bout of the Day," you see the banner most often prior to his matches.

Ozeki Brewery, a champion among popular (but not necessarily "fine quality") sake makers, is a long-time sporsor taking advantage of its obvious name-association with sumo.

[madorosumaru]

One of the most prominent sponsors is Nagatanien, manufacturer and distributor of Japanese style fast food. Their most famous products are the various "furikake," concoctions of flavoring that the Japanese put on their rice in the simplest, most Japanese dish of "ochazuke."

The following is from a post I wrote during Hatsu Basho this year. There may be some changes in numbers from that time but you can get the picture.

In talking about kensho, Robo's matches regularly garner more than any other not involving the yokozuna. One of the main sponsors is Nagatanien, for whom Robo does CM spots. They place 5 of their 15 to 20 daily kensho on each of Robo's matches. Their budget for this is over 10 million yen per basho. "We don't do this for advertising purposes. We do it to support Takamisakari and to play a part in the popularization of sumo."

The spokesman revealed the company's hopes: "Of course, if it is at all possible, we want our sekitori to win each and every one of our kensho." I guess poor Robo is disappointing a lot of folks this basho.

Alas, with a record of 5-7 at the threshold of MK, Robo is still a disappointment to a lot of folks.

[Mattjila]

I imagine if Dale could record the kensho of the Asa-Osh bout tomorrow, the forum could pore over it for a while. My guess is you will probably see a good 20-30 banners for that match. It'll probably shatter the record for a Friday match.

[Jonosuke]

I imagine if Dale could record the kensho of the Asa-Osh bout tomorrow, the forum could pore over it for a while.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

If someone goes to see the basho, then they get a list of all sponsors for a given bout as they are listed on the daily sheet they hand out the door (of course you will need to read Japanese for this).

And another thing, a certain sponsor (I am sure they are in good grace with the Kyokai) requests to have their banner showing separate from all the others so it will stand out.

Some sponsors are regular like Nagatanien, some sponsors only give their Kensho to certain rikishis or certain bout like the final bout or final bout at the Makuuchi mid-break.

The Kyokai may ask a sponsor to put their Kensho on a certain bout - for instance if they find an Ozeki bout has no kensho but some Hiramaku ones have a lot etc - of course oblidging them in this way puts you in good grace with them as well as being their regular like Nagatanien.

[Jakusotsu]

One of the most prominent sponsors is Nagatanien, manufacturer and distributor of Japanese style fast food.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Thanks for solving that riddle! I vividly recall hearing "...nagatanien...nagatanien..." almost every time when the kensho are announced. I was mistaking it for something like "sponsored by" or "supported by".

I also remember Aminishiki always having at least one banner depicting some kind of sports shoe last year. And recently I noticed some banners for Hello Kitty. Has there ever been a McDonald's kensho?

[Asojima]

Thanks for solving that riddle! I vividly recall hearing "...nagatanien...nagatanien..." almost every time when the kensho are announced. I was mistaking it for something like "sponsored by" or "supported by".

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

You were doing better than I was. For a long time, I thought it was an announcement of how many yen were included in the kensho. For some reason, I could never quite make out the amount. (In a state of confusion...)

[Otokonoyama]

I imagine if Dale could record the kensho of the Asa-Osh bout tomorrow, the forum could pore over it for a while.  My guess is you will probably see a good 20-30 banners for that match.  It'll probably shatter the record for a Friday match.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Looked like 29 for the musubi-no-ichiban today...

[Otokonoyama]

And Asashoryu takes all the cake today! I liked the very exaggerated two-handed grab of the kensho-kin today...looked nothing like a drunk carrying a box of take-out sushi...

Edited September 23, 2005 by Otokonoyama

[SonofCyrus]

Looked very arrogant to me and also the way he looked after Osh went down. Sure he beat Osh. But remeber who Asa hasn't beaten. Too little too late now. Anything can happen in 2 days though.

[slt]

And Asashoryu takes all the cake today!  I liked the very exaggerated two-handed grab of the kensho-kin today...looked nothing like a drunk carrying a box of take-out sushi...

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Hehe... I agree, that was almost as entertaining as the fight itself. (You are going off-topic...)

A little arrogant, maybe, but that's nothing surprising by now - and I rather enjoy seeing a proud Yokozuna. I don't think it's time to start tearing him apart just because he's lost two bouts this basho, SonofCyrus - I don't think that makes him any less great than he has been; still at only 5 losses in 2005, if I remember correctly.

[Kashunowaka]

A little arrogant, maybe, but that's nothing surprising by now - and I rather enjoy seeing a proud Yokozuna.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

It was Asashoryu in a nutshell. Some like it, some would prefer a more dignified behaviour from the yokozuna.

[Kintamayama]

A little arrogant, maybe, but that's nothing surprising by now - and I rather enjoy seeing a proud Yokozuna.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

It was Asashoryu in a nutshell. Some like it, some would prefer a more dignified behaviour from the yokozuna.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

One word- Akebono..

[Otokonoyama]

One word- Akebono..

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

AKEBONO

[Dale]

Looked very arrogant to me and also the way he looked after Osh went down. Sure he beat Osh. But remeber who Asa hasn't beaten. Too little too late now. Anything can happen in 2 days though.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I'm so tired of this testosterone-laden hinkaku-lacking "yokozuna". And the lower-

rankers are following his example. Sure- he does amazing sumo. But there's more

to it than that. Or at least there used to be. I'm not a sports fan. But sumo was more

than a sport...

Dale

[Onnagumo]

Sure- he does amazing sumo. But there's more

to it than that. Or at least there used to be. I'm not a sports fan. But sumo was more

than a sport...

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

A couple of weeks ago I spoke to a friend who used to watch sumo with me and my hubby sometimes. He moved to another town since and we don't see him very often anymore.

He told me he had't seen any sumo for a long time, until shortly before we visited him. He sounded genuinely shocked. He said he had seen rikishi getting angry over a loss, arrogant gestures - he said that to him it didn't look like sumo anymore. It had made him think of pro wrestling.

If I felt as bad about it as he did, I wouldn't be here, of course (Nodding yes...) but I can't say I like it either. Or am I getting old already, wishing "the good old days" back..... ;-)

And yes - I know I'm going :-P Sorry..... ;-)

[Kintamayama]

Every so often the "arrogant Mongolia Yokozuna " thingy surfaces. For the millionth time, some past Japanese Yokozuna were far more arrogant in their manner than Asa will ever be. This being said, a Yokozuna is expected to show some arrogance. It's part of his "right". Wajima, Kitanoumi, Akebono and others are but mere examples of this. As for showing emotions, that has surely changed for the worse lately- Kitazakura, Kakizoe, Kisenosato-all these guys have crossed this boundary in my opinion, but since the kyokai is doing nothing about it, I guess they're cool with it..

[Kashunowaka]

Every so often the "arrogant Mongolia Yokozuna " thingy surfaces. For the millionth time, some  past  Japanese Yokozuna were far more arrogant in their manner than Asa will ever be.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

OK, fine. I just never saw those. I have only seen the last 10 years.

[SonofCyrus]

Sorry if I pulled this train off the tracks. Didn't mean too.(Applauding...)

Now back to the kensho topic. I wonder if a wrestler gets happy when he finds out he is going against Robo. (Applauding...) He has been giving away some money this basho. Sure beating Asa is kinda like winning a lottery, but you have a whole lot better odds against Robo.

[madorosumaru]

(Applauding...)

Now back to the kensho topic. I wonder if a wrestler gets happy when he finds out he is going against Robo.

Edited September 23, 2005 by madorosumaru

[Dale]

Every so often the "arrogant Mongolia Yokozuna " thingy surfaces. For the millionth time, some  past  Japanese Yokozuna were far more arrogant in their manner than Asa will ever be. This being said, a Yokozuna is expected to show some arrogance. It's part of his "right". Wajima, Kitanoumi, Akebono and others are but mere examples of this. As for showing emotions, that has surely changed for the worse lately- Kitazakura, Kakizoe, Kisenosato-all these guys have crossed this boundary in my opinion, but since the kyokai is doing nothing about it, I guess they're cool with it..

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

It's the displays of emotions that bother me. I think it takes away from their focus and power in an odd sort of way. I mean, imagine beating Asashoryu and then keeping it all inside. Store the energy rather than releasing it all right away... but what do I know- Ichinoya would do bodily injury to me, let alone the yokozuna :)

Arrogant yokozuna are good. But arrogance through aloofness, not through displays on the dohyo. Takanohana had that down pretty good.

Dale

[Mark Buckton]

Arrogant yokozuna are good. But arrogance through aloofness, Takanohana had that down pretty good.

Dale

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

to put into synonyms - he was a snotty bastard you mean? :-/ (Whistling...)

[Mark Buckton]

and that is a good thing? Hmmm?

[Otokonoyama]