Toyozakura and Magaki (WAS RE: [sumo] [spoiler] Asashoryu vs Hakuho)

[Jeanne Hedge]

At 07:53 PM 5/25/08, Jeanne Hedge wrote:
 >At 06:25 PM 5/25/08, John James wrote:
 >>
 >>I followed your entire message until the bamboo spear oyakata.  Is it
 >>a translation of someones name? Pardon my ignorance.
 >>JJ> Date: Sun, 25 May 2008 11:11:44 -0400> From: smk1 at columbia.edu> >
 >>Will the Yokozuna or the bamboo spear Oyakata receive a stricter>
 >>warning?> > Sukubidubidu>
 >
 >I can't find the links to the story. Someone else will need to provide
 >names and correct my details on this:

OK, found it (as usual, right after I sent it). I had the details mixed up.

http://www.sumoforum.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=15060

First, the rikishi, Juryo Toyozakura.  Asahi news was reporting that 
in January, sometime before the Hatsu Basho, Toyozakura beat a lower 
ranked younger rikishi (thought to be Iwanaga) with "cookware" 
because Toyozakura didn't like his attitude. The deshi was injured.

http://www.asahi.com/national/update/0517/TKY200805170146.html
(I'm assuming this link is still valid - it's in Japanese)

The only reason this was found out was that the deshi later "broke 
his neck" before Nagoya Basho and the hospital staff found the scars 
and went public. Michinoku-Oyakata supposedly didn't know what had 
happened until then.  He was quoted as saying Toyozakura was 
"reflecting on his deeds" and any punishment will be on both the 
Oyakata and Toyozakura.

Now the Oyakata, Magaki-Oyakata. During Natsu Basho, some of the 
oyakata from the judging department noticed bruises on the unnamed 
deshi's (probably Nara's) upper leg/buttocks area. After inquiries, 
it came out he was beaten during asa-geiko by a bamboo stick wielding 
Magaki-Oyakata. Magaki-Oyakata will reportedly be "severely reprimanded".

Magaki-Oyakata, Michinoku-Oyakata, and Toyozakura will be called 
before the rijikai for questioning. (next meeting, May 29)

Then there were photos of Michinoku-Oyakata and Toyozakura doing the 
"reprimanded" apology/deep bow 
thing. 
http://www.sumoforum.net/forums/index.php?s=&showtopic=15060&view=findpost&p=143184


The various members of the committee to keep beatings from happening 
were reportedly having a collective fit, wondering if anything would 
ever change. It didn't help when Magaki-Oyakata was quoted as saying 
(major paraphrase) that if it's what it took to make the rikishi 
better he'd do it again. A few days later he'd changed his tune, and 
was all apologetic about it.

On Saturday Kintamayama posted in the Forum that Magaki-Oyakata might 
well be fired from his post as riji because of the outcry, led by 
Touno Takeo, ex-Nittaidai and member of the committee against 
relapse. Of course, Kitanoumi-Rijicho says "I can't comment until I 
have all the details".


So people are wondering who will have the worse punishment - 
Asashoryu's 2-basho suspension for missing a Jungyo or Magaki-Oyakata 
for intentionally breaking the rules and beating on a rikishi?

Regards,
Jeanne Hedge