[sumo] Re: International sumo

[Barbara]

Scott Kahn wrote:
> FO: I am very pleased that foreign athletes had come to sumo. Thanks to 
> their cultural differences sumo has gained an additional richness. The 
> Japanese should train more."
> 
> Very interesting to know exactly what Fujishima oyakata meant by this.  
> So much could be read into this response.  I also admire the respectful 
> line of questioning during the interview...

He might have meant, very literally, that the foreigners are bringing 
new techniques into the sport.  When is the last time a Japanese rikishi 
has performed a Chongake kimarite, for instance?  The Mongolians, in 
particular, have brought techniques which have given them wins and 
opened up new possibilities.  The Japanese recruits have not been taught 
or trained how to defend against these rare techniques and they have to 
catch up now.  That is a real and visible change to sumo culture. 
Anyone who loves sumo as a sport has to acknowledge the contributions of 
the foreigners and I think that is a lot of what Fujishima meant.  As an 
oyakata it is his job to figure out how to defend against Chongake and 
similar moves, so he would be well aware of what the foreigners have 
brought into the sport.
Barbara Murasakihana