[sumo] Any More Surprises? Sumo, Violence and Secrets

[Takanomizu]

Let me throw this out:
I admit I'm a little naive. But even with following sumo for @ 15 years and living in Japan for four, I never knew about the hazing. The deshi-on-deshi violence surprises me. Is hazing something male? The only other situation I associate it with is fraternities. Is it a secret society thing?

The sumo bout seems like a good reflection of the mind set. In the beginning it's all bows and politeness, then the surge of violence. I suppose it has to be taught.

I always thought that, along with tradition, money was the reason most people act the way they do in the Sumo world, but I never thought that matches were fixed. Is it possible?

Any more surprises for the naive old broad?

Irene