[sumo] Heya-gashira

[Doreen Simmons]

Starting a new thread because we have moved into a different area of 
the sumo world. The heya-gashira (not to be confused with the much 
lower--ranking wakaimonogashira) is the active rikishi who is highest 
on the banzuke in his heya.  As such, it is his duty to take an active 
part in training the juniors. I saw an interesting example of this just 
a year or two back when I dropped into Oshima-beya to have a quick word 
with Kyokushuzan when he had finished  training. He was sitting on a 
box in the street at the rear of the keikoba and we had a little chat. 
When I tried to go on to another subject, however, he excused himself, 
saying that it was now his duty to devise individual exercises for the 
young ones, who were lined up in front of him. I thanked him and 
stepped back to watch for a few minutes. Sure enough, he talked to each 
of the juniors in turn, pointing out a weakness and giving him an 
exercise to do that would strengthen this aspect of his sumo.

But that was the way they do things in Oshima. In Takasago-beya, on the 
other hand, the heya-gashira is the yokozuna and he normally takes the 
lead by calling men to do training bouts with him. (Delighted to see 
him back, BTW). In that heya it is quite possible that Ichinoya, with 
his superb technical ability, may indeed offer advice to juniors. But 
this would be a very unusual in a manager -- but of course, Ichinoya is 
a unique person.

Sadogatake-beya is one of the eight fortunate heya that have a real 
live wmg, Kotochitose.  Kotonowaka was  in a very different situation. 
Before his retirement (intai) he was a high-ranking sekitori, and also 
the designated successor of the stablemaster  (his father-in-law); all 
sekitori have the obligation to help the juniors learn their trade.

Although every heya has its own customs, normally wmg and managers do 
not take part in the  practical training of juniors, though teaching 
them the basics of sumo life and manners is part of their work.

Not wanting  to pick a fight with anybody, just  trying to clarify. 
Now, off to work!

Doreen Simmons
  jz8d-smmn at asahi-net.or.jp