PUBLISHER’S NOTE The World of Sumo

By Hatakeyama Noboru

Just after I entered primary school, I ing getting promoted to higher division. Japanese society. was not too healthy. I was frequently This system is similar to one used in The other day, the Ambassador from absent from school. Did I get bored at professional American baseball. Maku- Paraguay to Japan, Miguel A. Solano home? No way. I was busy watching uchi is similar to the Major League and Lopez, kindly visited my office to say Sumo magazines every day. I can Juryo, one division below, resembles the farewell to me. He had been in Japan remember every result of the great tour- 3A league. Of these 695 Sumo for almost seven years, and was highly nament held in the spring of 1943 of wrestlers, 53, or 7.6%, are non-Japanese. respected by the Japanese and foreign each wrestler who belonged to the upper Since the ratio of foreigners living in diplomats here in Tokyo. He is a keen division (Maku-uchi). I learned many Japan to the entire population is less fan of Sumo, and took a photograph of kanji (Chinese characters) through read- than 2% at the most, the Sumo world, Kyokushuzan, another Mongolian Sumo ing Sumo magazines. I have been a one of the most traditional in its way of wrestler, with his arm upon the shoulder crazy fan of this national sport for more life and culture is much more open than of a high school student standing in line than 60 years and will continue to be. It Japanese society in general. Of the 53 with him. This was five years ago and is said that the history of Sumo dates non-Japanese mentioned above, 35 are the high school boy has become back to the seventh century when it was from Mongolia, four from Russia, three Asashoryu. Last year, Asashoryu was introduced into the Imperial Court cere- from China, two each from South criticized rather harshly for his bad man- mony. Any technique other than using Korea, Brazil and Tonga and one each ners in the tournament by those who tools could be used at that time, includ- from the other five countries. In Maku- think a Yokozuna should serve as a ing kicking down the opponent. uchi, there are 42 wrestlers headed by model of politeness, modesty and other According to the Nihon Sumo Kyokai Yokozuna Asashoryu from Mongolia. virtues. (Japan Sumo Association), ju-jutsu Asashoryu is the 68th Yokozuna and the His impoliteness towards Kyoku- whose technique formed the basis of third non-Japanese to hold the title. shuzan by grabbing his hair in the match judo, now an Olympic sport, derived The other two were Akebono and and throwing sagari (loincloth strings) from Sumo. I think the rules of Sumo Musashimaru from Hawaii, who later against him after the other match was are the simplest of any sport. As many adopted Japanese nationality. From blamed. Kyokushuzan was the pioneer of you know, two almost naked players Hawaii, there were two other famous among Mongolian Sumo wrestlers. wearing silk loinclothes (mawashi) fight wrestlers, Takamiyama and Konishiki. However, Ambassador Lopez told me, each other in a circle with a diameter of Whenever one of these Americans got the attitude of Asashoryu had greatly less than five meters. To win, you have the championship in a grand tourna- improved in the grand tournament held to push your opponent out of the circle ment, the President of the United States in January. Ambassador Lopez is an or make him fall down in the circle. always sent a telegram to congratulate acute observer not only of Sumo per se Falling down means touching the him. President Jacques Chirac of France but of the culture that goes with it. ground with any part of one’s body is highly respected in Japan for his pro- With this international diversification other than one’s soles. Japan’s profes- found knowledge and interest in of wrestlers and fans, Sumo might sional Sumo league started in the Edo Japanese culture and tradition, including deserve to be picked up as an Olympic period (1603-1867). Sumo. It is often jokingly said in Japan sport in the not so distant future. If this Partly because of its simple rules, that the French Embassy in Japan is should happen, however, the gold medal Sumo has become quite international always busy when a Sumo grand tourna- for Sumo may be given to Mongolia nowadays in terms of its players and ment is being held because it has to rather than Japan. fans. There are currently 695 profes- report the results to the Palais de l’Elysée sional Sumo wrestlers, including those every day. I hope this is true although I in the lower ranked divisions. In profes- am afraid this might not be the case. COMING UP sional Sumo, there are six divisions, with In the Maku-uchi division, there are the Maku-uchi division at the top and 42 wrestlers. Kokkai, meaning “Black The next issue of Economy, Culture Jonokuchi at the bottom. Generally Sea,” from Georgia, is the youngest at & History JAPAN SPOTLIGHT speaking, a new wrestler starts in the 22 years old. Asashoryu and another Bimonthly will focus on Free Trade bottom division. If he has more wins wrestler from Mongolia are both 23 Agreements (FTAs). We will analyze than defeats in grand tournament that is years old. The fact that the three the trend of economic integration held six times a year, then he will be youngest wrestlers are all from other which has been accelerating recently, promoted to a higher position, includ- countries may reflect the aging of especially in Asia.

2 JAPAN SPOTLIGHT • March / April 2004