Sumo 'taken over by foreigners and Japanese people feel sad'

[Taro Toporific]

Fears That the New State of Sumo Defiles Tradition
nytimes.com /August 3, 2003
ISAI, Japan -- ...the Bulgarian sumo wrestler faced the Japanese wrestler...Mr. Mahalyanov, whose sumo name is Kotooshu, or European Harp, is one of the rising number of non-Japanese wrestlers revolutionizing the most Japanese of sports.
Most significant, for the first time in the history of Japan, no Japanese ranks as a grand champion....
"Sumo is only one small world, and it has been taken over by foreigners, and Japanese people feel sad," said Hidetoshi Tanaka, 56, general secretary of the International Sumo Federation and a trustee of Nihon University in Tokyo.

[Pizzicatoblue]

Well, what can we say, welcome to the 21st century everyone.

[cstaylor]

Well, my money is on Kaio for the Tokyo tournament... a win there would give him the promotion.

[GomiGirl]

Shouldn't it be a good thing that Sumo is attracting wrestlers (and thus audiences) from outside Japan? The popularity within Japan (and thus sponsorship monies) has seen a marked decline in the past few years. Isn't this opening up whole new markets?

The last time I was at the Sumo (which I love BTW) it was the final day of the Tokyo Spring Bassho. The sponsors giving out prizes were from all over the world.. including one sheik looking guy complete with disha-dasha and tea-towel on his head. He spoke pretty good Japanese if memory serves.

[Steve Bildermann]

one sheik looking guy complete with disha-dasha and tea-towel on his head

Ok got it. disha-dasha and tea-towel.

You know I *always* wanted to know what the correct terms for that traditional Islamic wear was.

....disha-dasha and tea-towel

[GomiGirl]

I don't think Tea-towel is the right word.. but it is the long style ones that are worn by sheik-type people, saudi's and not the turban style of Osama..

This is a dishadasha..



From this on-line store

tea-towel.



Is actually called a shegmagh

But this is my favorite hat.. I think they are really cute.

[Crispy]

Well? Up your standards, Japanese sumo wrestlers! Complaining doesn't solve anything.