[sumo] Heya-gashira

[Sam Young]

Doreen,
Thanks for taking the time to pick up on  sumo culture.   Over the years, 
I'v always enjoyed your culturer comments  during your guest spots on NHK's 
broadcasts and wish there were more of them noadays.  Thanks again.
Sam Young
Senseisam
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Doreen Simmons" <jz8d-smmn at asahi-net.or.jp>
To: "Sumo Mailing List" <sumo at webtrek.com>
Sent: Sunday, December 02, 2007 4:57 PM
Subject: [sumo] Heya-gashira


> 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
>
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