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Japanese Athletes and the Spirit of Fair Play Greetings 24-5 Sakuragaoka-cho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-0031 Tel: 03-5456-8082 Fax: 03-5456-8388 Mail: [email protected] Newsletter Vol. 11 Spring 2018 http://www.japancivilization.org/ The 11th Symposium of the Japanese Civilization Institute took place on February 6th, right before the Pyongyang Olympics on the theme of “Japanese People and Sports.” The panelists were Dai Tamesue—bronze medalist of the World Champion- ships for 400 Men’s meter Hurdle, Miyako Tanaka-Oulevey— Seoul Olympic bronze medalist in Synchronized Swimming Duet, sports journalist Seijun Ninomiya and author and direc- tor of the Japanese Civilization Institute Naoki Inose who mod- erated the panel. The discussion revolved around interesting themes including the sumo wrestling world which has long been center of attention due to its scandal, the latest scientific research on sports, the mental capabilities of athletes, Pyong- yang Olympics and its results and the things we need to think about towards the upcoming Tokyo Olympics. The following is an extract of the lively discussion that took place. (Reprinted from “Shukan Dokushojin,” 20th April 2018, No. 3236 & Web Doukushojin). Greetings Asuka Tsuzuki Counselor and Director of Japan Economic University The Japanese Civilization Institute has established 2 years ago with the aim to transmit Japanese culture and civilization not only to Japan but also to the rest of the world and has continued its activities ever since. Today, we have Mr. Dai Tamesue and Ms. Miyako Tanaka-Oulevey both of whom are world famous athletes, together with distinguished sports journalist Seijun Ninomiya attending the event, to talk about sports and its relationship to the nation and the Japanese people, which are crucial themes of both Pyongyang Olympics and the upcoming Tokyo Olympics of 2020. I’m sure a heated discussion—which a lot of people are showing interest in—will take place between the three panelists not to mention Mr. Inose Naoki, who will modulate the panel. Though it is a short period, I hope you enjoy today’s board to the very end. Japanese athletes and the spirit of fair play Toshio Goto President of Japanese Civilization Institute When we think about the Olympics, sports and the Japanese people, what comes to our mind I think is the spirit of fair play. I would like to go back in time and talk about Japanese athletes who played outstandingly well before WWII. First and foremost, there is the tennis player Zenzo Shimizu. Today we think of Kei Nishikori when it comes to tennis, but did you know that Shimizu was the first Japanese tennis player to reach the top four? He is also famous for the episode of his “soft strokes.” When his opponent crumbled and fell, he could have easily defeated him if he had hit hard strokes, but instead, he hit soft strokes and waited for his opponent to rise again. Rather than crushing him down to the ground, he gave him some time so that they could play even. This fair play spirit touched the heart of the Western people, and Shimizu was highly praised at the time. Another episode revolves around the Pole Vault competition at the 11th Berlin Olympics in 1936. Two Japanese competitors were to compete for a second and third place, but since a lot of time was needed to prepare for Pole Vault competitions at the time, the two decided to avoid competing for each other and instead settled for the same rank. The two received a medal that stuck both silver and bronze together, which is still preserved in Japan. When we look back in history, we are able to discover many excellent Japanese athletes such as these. The spirit of fair play is essential in sports. Japanese football players are known throughout the world as players with very few fouls. Like these examples, I think many Japanese athletes possess fair play spirits inside themselves, which might very well have to do with Japanese people’s faithful and hardworking mind. About the group Address: 24-5 Sakuragaoka-cho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-0031 Designed by artisancompany Japanese Civilization Institute Tel :03-5456-8082 Fax:03-5456-8388 Established in August 2015 Website: http://www.japancivilization.org/ A Report on Our 11th Symposium Japanese People and Sports Dai Miyako Tanaka- Seijun Tamesue vs. Oulevey vs. Ninomiya Modulator Naoki Inose Shinto ritual, sports, enon (popularity of sumo brothers stand the moves of sumo wrestlers Wakahanada and Takahanada), there when they see it on television. and business— were many years when there were the current situation over 200 new sumo wrestlers a year. Ninomiya: He said, firstly there is of the sumo But now, that number has declined the need for spreading sumo, then to roughly 70 a year. comes the need for raising and wrestling world There was something that Takano- strengthening sumo wrestlers. If hana pointed out when he ran for Ja- sumo is not popularized, strong Inose: The sumo industry has been pan Sumo Association’s election in sumo wrestlers won’t emerge. I think causing a big uproar since late last 2010. In 2008, judo, kendo and Taknohana oyakata’s proposal is year, centering around Takanohana. sumo became compulsory subjects right. Even though yokozuna (sumo’s high- when curriculum guidelines for ju- est rank) Harumafuji retired and an nior high schools were revised. How- Inose: The way they ran that Japan election for director candidates took ever, compared to judo and kendo, Sumo Association’s election for di- place after the scandal of the ‘violent he said there were very few instruc- rector candidates the other day is en- assault’ by Harumafuji, it seems tors who could teach sumo. More- tirely different from that compared nothing has changed. over, there were very few sumo rings. to when Takanohana ran in 2010. In In Takanohana oyakata’s (coach of When I was a child, there were sever- 2010, they used codes, but today sumo stables) blog of 1st February, al sumo rings at schools and inside they write the names, so you know he writes, “The number of sumo grounds of shrines. Whereas today, wrestlers is declining compared to there are very few places where you the days when I was wrestling. Sumo can do sumo. Takanohana realized may still exist in the future, but the this and felt crisis, which is why he same cannot be said for the Japan suggested that the Japan Sumo Asso- Sumo Association. I strongly feel a ciation give more support to spread sense of crisis.” sumo. Ninomiya: It’s true that the number Inose: That’s true. When I was a of sumo wrestlers is declining. From boy, boys used to do sumo wrestling 1989 to 1999, there were about 130 just for fun. Kids nowadays who to 140 new sumo wrestlers a year. have never wrestled in their lives, Boosted by the Waka-taka phenom- probably won’t be able to under- Dai Tamesue 2 es. Therefore, it has responsibilities duced to 5 tournaments a year. Oth- of raising that consciousness. ers say they should cut down on Since sumo is traditional culture, provincial tours, but since these I think it needs to separate what tours are aimed at spreading sumo to should be maintained and what a broader audience, that’s a little dif- should be changed. This overlaps a ficult. Concerning this, I think we little bit to what Takanohana oyakata also need to rethink the system for was saying, but I think what’s most exempting players injured in official important is written in the Third matches. Act—“Goal”— of the Association Article. Inose: Previously, there was an offi- According to that Act, it says, cial injury exemption system that Miyako Tanaka-Oulevey “The aim of this association lies in protected sumo wrestlers who in- maintaining, passing down and de- jured during tournaments and were who voted for whom when you see veloping the tradition and order of absent from the matches. Their the handwriting. sumo—our country’s representative ranks remained the same when they national sports that has its root in re- returned, right? Ninomiya: Elections before 2010 ligious rituals, which were occurred were just a formality. The splitting of from ancient times to pray for a rich Ninomiya: But when Kitanoumi was votes inside the family was done in harvest. It will hold regular sumo director of the Association, he abol- advance. At the time, a rapid reform tournaments as well as provincial ished the official injury exemption of the sumo organization was vital, for tours, raise people qualified to hold system. The reason is understandable. there was the scandal of Asashoryu, these events and instruct and spread There were quite a few sumo wres- not to mention the incident of Toki- sumo accordingly. Also, it will pre- tlers who injured continuously and taizan—a junior wrestler who died serve and utilize sumo records, pro- asked for absence from the tourna- after being beaten and abused. There- mote international goodwill, and ments with doubtful medical certifi- fore, the vice-minister of the Ministry maintain and supervise the facilities cations in their hands. On the other of Education, Culture, Sports, Sci- required for these purposes. By doing side, if there are no systems for offi- ence, and Technology at the time, so, it aims to promote sumo culture cial injury exemption, wrestlers who said that the elections shouldn’t be a further and contribute to the mental unavoidably hurt themselves end up place to prove one’s loyalty to the and physical health of the people.” I dropping their ranks immensely. family. Reform was done following think Takanohana oyakata is trying this, but I’m afraid after a while it to point out that we need to raise Inose: Toshinoshin injured his liga- went back to what it used to be.
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