Asashouryuu tegatana-new phase..

[Kintamayama]

How on earth did we miss this? (unless it was mentioned, in which case shoot me)

On days 14 and 15, Asa took the kensho money WITH BOTH HANDS!! Some respectable analysts say this is a religious gesture. It has been discussed in the Japanese press a few weeks ago, but I just found the articles..

You can see this clearly here:

http://www.banzuke.com/~movies/kyushu2005/...r_chiyotai2.wmv

And here, if you can tear yourself away for a moment from the tears..

http://www.banzuke.com/~movies/kyushu2005/...ashor_kaio2.wmv

Edited December 17, 2005 by Kintamayama

[Asashosakari]

I noticed it on senshuraku, but didn't think it noteworthy enough - didn't he already do that in at least one basho before (Aki presumably), after Uchidate had chided him earlier this year for picking up and carrying a particularly large stack of kensho by the thread that ties the envelopes together?

[Doitsuyama]

Correct. Back then Uchidate praised him for doing it with two hands, caringly and all. Maybe this is why this was no issue? Oh, and there may have been more newsworthy occurences on days 14 and 15 this basho. It's not like the basho faded away on these days...

[Kintamayama]

Yes, yes, nothing faded away, but still, it seemed quite a big thing to me, especially since the "stack' on day 14 didn't seem that large to me.

[Babaryutaikai]

Yes, yes, nothing faded away, but still, it seemed quite a big thing to me, especially since the "stack' on day 14 didn't seem that large to me.

I thought he said he took it with two hands because the "pile" too big to take with one. (Seem to remember that from the ML) And yes, he has done it a few times in previous bashos. I don't think it's anything earth-shattering or to flagellate yourself about for missing it . :-O

[Jonosuke]

Babs is right. Asashoryu said the kensho pile was too thick to carry it with one hand and he did not want to pick it up with the string (as pointed out by Ms Uchidate previously).

Don't want to make this too much off-topic (sorry Moti) but there is a new book on Asashoryu that came out recently, written by a professor with Hokkaido University titled something like "Why Asashoryu Never Lose".

Just reading some of the chapter titles and one of them was, "Why Asashoryu Goes Back to Mongolia after Every Basho?"

Does anyone know?

[Kintamayama]

I thought he said he took it with two hands because the "pile" too big to take with one. (Seem to remember that from the ML) And yes, he has done it a few times in previous bashos. I don't think it's anything earth-shattering or to flagellate yourself about for missing it . :-O

I don't actually remember him ever doing it prior to last Basho when he took it in both hands because the pile was too big. I ( and some prominent writer) seem to think the double-handed takes this basho were a bit different this time. I actually thought it pretty earth-shattering..

Well.

Edit: Unless i am totally wrong, there is no prior recording of him actually taking the kensho in both hands. All movies I've seen end before it. So you actually had to BE THERE or watch Japan TV or take extra care to look for it on the feed to see how he did it exactly. Did he raise it up in the air and seem to thank the Lord like he does here, or was it a more technical thing? Now, at least I know why I THINK this was special. On the feed, I never have time to notice these things.

Edited December 17, 2005 by Kintamayama

[Tadanisakari]

Just a thought...

I also think Sho bowed a bit more deeply than usual after taking the kensho stack. He also lifted the money up as he bowed, as an extra show of respect and gratitude. Maybe we was doing this to show his thanks towards the tate-gyoji at the time of his retirement? Isn't it more respectful in Japanese culture to accept offerings with both hands?