[sumo] [Spoiler]Day 13 hoshitori

[Barbara]

Werner Geuens wrote:
> On Friday 21 March 2008 13:05, Kobayashi Toshiharu wrote:
> 
>>  Shikona                     Rank      Shikona
>> +Hakuho       OOO*OOOOOOO*O Yokozuna +Asashoryu     OOOOOOOOOOO**
> This is so frustrating, reading such a close match, without a video feed.
> 
> Are you filming this, Barbara ?

Absolutely!  Because the mayhem began on day 12, I will make a 
requestable dvd covering the final 4 days, though just the second half 
makuuchi action, plus the trophy presentation.  I haven't been making 
the regular dvds lately, relying on the 4-disk avi sets which 8 or 9 
sumo fans get from me each tournament.  But this tournament certainly 
deserves its own dvd too.  Generally hardly anyone gets the dvd, except 
for the old tournaments, probably in order to watch some of the 
now-retired rikishi in action, so I have not felt too compelled to make 
them, but this tournament may end up being one of those "do you remember 
when..." tournaments.  Of course, I will list the 4-disk 15-day set too, 
but I only take requests for that set for a few days after the basho, 
then it disappears into my storage. I'll announce the disk set later 
today as I usually do, on the 13th day.

Watching the faces of the Yokozuna-tachi after their losses reminded me 
of the contrast with magnificent impassiveness as expressed by 
Takanohana.  When he lost an upset match, he would often show nothing 
but a kind of detached Buddha-like equanimity with perhaps the tiniest 
trace of bemusement.  I've often wondered if he ever talked about his 
own inner discipline and dispassion publicly.  It was so evident from 
watching him that he had strength well beyond the physical, possibly 
strength born of more than one demon he had to subdue.  No wonder the 
Japanese adored him.

Barbara Murasakihana