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

[Philip Sherman]

Irene,
 My same thoughts. At one point I gave up on following sumo a long time ago. It was when claims of fixing bouts were made. Part of the reason I liked Sumo so much is that I thought it was the only clean sport left.
Then the news started breaking among members of the various sumo forums and many who I considered and still do, to know sumo inside out were agreeing that bouts being fixed is very probable.
 My world came crashing down as far as sumo went at that point.
After a long time I started to feel my interest in sumo again, after seeing some sumo highlights on ESPN.
 I came back. I am happy I did but sadly it appears that not only bout fixing possible but now all the other messes going on makes me wonder all over again. I sure understand where your coming from. Thank you for your post.
Happy Sumo (it's not ALL bad)
philafuji

PHIL


-----Original Message-----
From: Takanomizu
Sent: Thursday, October 4, 2007 8:51 PM
To: Sumo Mailing List
Subject: [sumo] Any More Surprises? Sumo, Violence and Secrets


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
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