DOCSLIB.ORG

Corruption in Sumo Wrestling

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Corruption in Sumo Wrestling University of Pennsylvania ScholarlyCommons Health Care Management Papers Wharton Faculty Research 12-2002 Winning Isn’t Everything: Corruption in Sumo Wrestling Mark Duggan University of Pennsylvania Steven D. Levitt Follow this and additional works at: https://repository.upenn.edu/hcmg_papers Part of the Other Economics Commons, and the Sports Management Commons Recommended Citation Duggan, M., & Levitt, S. D. (2002). Winning Isn’t Everything: Corruption in Sumo Wrestling. American Economic Review, 92 (5), 1594-1605. http://dx.doi.org/10.1257/000282802762024665 This paper is posted at ScholarlyCommons. https://repository.upenn.edu/hcmg_papers/82 For more information, please contact [email protected]. Winning Isn’t Everything: Corruption in Sumo Wrestling Abstract Although theory on corruption is well developed, it has proven difficulto t isolate corrupt behavior empirically. In this paper, we provide overwhelming statistical evidence documenting match rigging in Japanese sumo wrestling. A non-linearity in the incentive structure of promotion leads to gains from trade between wrestlers on the margin for achieving a winning record and their opponents. We show that wrestlers win a disproportionate share of the matches when they are on the margin. Collusion, rather than increased effort, appears to explain the results. Wrestlers who are victorious when needing a victory lose more often than would be expected the next time they meet that same opponent, suggesting that part of the payment for throwing a match is future payment in kind. Cheating disappears in times of high media scrutiny. In addition to collusion by individual wrestlers, there is also evidence of reciprocity agreements across stables of wrestlers, suggesting a centralized element to the match rigging. Disciplines Other Economics | Sports Management This journal article is available at ScholarlyCommons: https://repository.upenn.edu/hcmg_papers/82 Winning Isn’t Everything: Corruption in Sumo Wrestling By MARK DUGGAN AND STEVEN D. LEVITT* There is a growing appreciation among econ- (roughly 5 feet 2 inches to 5 feet 3 inches) and omists of the need to better understand the role an excess number of men below 1.57 meters. that corruption plays in real-world economies. Not coincidentally, the minimum height for Although some have argued that it can be wel- conscription into the Imperial army was 1.57 fare enhancing (Nathaniel Leff, 1964), most meters (Stephen Stigler, 1986). More recent em- commentators believe that a willingness to ac- pirical work on corruption includes Robert H. cept bribes (or similar forms of corruption) in Porter and J. Douglas Zona (1993), which finds either the public or the private sector reduces evidence that construction companies collude economic efficiency (Andrei Shleifer and when bidding for state highway contracts by Robert W. Vishny, 1993). As a result, govern- meeting before the auction, designating a seri- ments and firms often create incentives to mo- ous bidder, and having other cartel members tivate their employees to be honest (Gary S. submit correspondingly higher bids. R. Preston Becker and George J. Stigler, 1974). McAfee (1992) details a wide variety of bid- While it is generally agreed that corruption is rigging schemes. Paulo Mauro (1995) uses sub- widespread, there is little rigorous empirical jective indices of corruption across countries to research on the subject. Because of corruption’s demonstrate a correlation between corrupt gov- illicit nature, those who engage in corruption ernments and lower rates of economic growth, attempt not to leave a trail. As a consequence, although the relationship may not be causal. much of the existing evidence on corruption is Ray Fisman (2001) analyzes how stock prices anecdotal in nature. More systematic empirical of Indonesian firms fluctuate with changes in substantiation of corrupt practices is unlikely to former Prime Minister Suharto’s health status. appear in typical data sources. Rather, research- Firms with close connections to Suharto, which ers must adopt nonstandard approaches in an presumably benefit from corruption within the attempt to ferret out indirect evidence of regime, decline substantially more than other corruption. Indonesian firms when Suharto’s health weak- To date, there have been only a handful of ens. Whether the rents accruing to those close to studies that attempt to systematically document Suharto are due to corruption or simply bad the impact of corruption on economic out- policy, however, is hard to determine. Rafael Di comes. The first empirical study of corruption Tella and Ernesto Schargrodsky (2000) docu- dates to 1846 when Quetelet documented that ment that the prices paid for basic inputs at the height distribution among French males public hospitals in Buenos Aires fall by 10–20 based on measurements taken at conscription percent after a corruption crackdown. was normally distributed except for a puzzling In this paper we look for corruption among shortage of men measuring 1.57–1.597 meters Japan’s elite sumo wrestlers. While acknowl- edging that sumo wrestling is not itself a subject of direct interest to economists, we believe that * Duggan: Department of Economics, University of Chi- this case study nonetheless provides potentially cago, 1126 East 59th Street, Chicago, IL 60637, and National valuable insights. First, if corrupt practices Bureau of Economic Research (e-mail: mduggan@midway thrive here, one might suspect that no institution .uchicago.edu); Levitt: American Bar Foundation and De- is safe. Sumo wrestling is the national sport of partment of Economics, University of Chicago, 1126 East 59th Street, Chicago, IL 60637 (e-mail: slevitt@midway Japan, with a 2,000-year tradition and a focus .uchicago.edu). We would like to thank Gary Becker, Casey on honor, ritual, and history that may be unpar- Mulligan, Andrei Shleifer, Stephen Stigler, Mark West, two alleled in athletics.1 Moreover, Japan is generally anonymous referees, seminar participants, and especially Serguey Braguinsky for helpful comments. Kyung-Hong Park provided truly outstanding research assistance. Levitt gratefully acknowledges the research support of the Na- 1 See Mark West (1997) for an examination of the legal tional Science Foundation and Sloan Foundation. rules and informal norms that govern sumo wrestling in Japan. 1594 VOL. 92 NO. 5 DUGGAN AND LEVITT: CORRUPTION IN SUMO WRESTLING 1595 found to have relatively low rates of corruption in cross-country comparisons (Transparency In- ternational, 2000).2 Second, because of the sim- plicity of the institutional framework, it is easy to understand and model the incentives facing participants. Third, data to test for match rig- ging are readily available. While the exact tech- niques we utilize for studying corrupt behavior in sumo wrestling will require modification be- fore being applied to more substantive applica- tions, our analysis may nonetheless aid future researchers in that task. The key institutional feature of sumo wres- tling that makes it ripe for corruption is the FIGURE 1. PAYOFF TO TOURNAMENT WINS existence of a sharp nonlinearity in the payoff function for competitors. A sumo tournament (basho) involves 66 wrestlers (rikishi) partici- typical victory. Consequently, a wrestler enter- pating in 15 bouts each. A wrestler who ing the final match of a tournament with a 7-7 achieves a winning record (eight wins or more, record has far more to gain from a victory than known as kachi-koshi) is guaranteed to rise up an opponent with a record of, say, 8-6 has to the official ranking (banzuke); a wrestler with a lose. There will also be incentives for forward- losing record (make-koshi) falls in the rankings. looking wrestlers to rig matches on earlier days A wrestler’s rank is a source of prestige, the of the tournament.4 According to our rough basis for salary determination, and also influ- calculations, moving up a single spot in the ences the perks that he enjoys.3 rankings is worth on average approximately Figure 1 demonstrates empirically the impor- $3,000 a year to a wrestler, so the potential tance of an eighth win to a wrestler. The hori- gains to trade may be substantial if the wrestlers zontal axis of the figure is the number of wins a fix a match.5 Of course, no legally binding wrestler achieves in a tournament; the vertical contract can be written. axis is the average change in rank as a conse- In this paper, we examine more than a decade quence of the tournament. The change in rank is of data for Japan’s sumo elite in search of a positive function of the number of wins. With evidence demonstrating or refuting claims of the exception of the eighth win, the relationship match rigging. We uncover overwhelming evi- is nearly linear: each additional victory is worth dence that match rigging occurs in the final days approximately three spots in the rankings. The of sumo tournaments. Wrestlers who are on the critical eighth win—which results in a substan- margin for attaining their eighth victory win far tial promotion in rank rather than a demotion— more often than would be expected. High win- garners a wrestler approximately 11 spots in the ning percentages by themselves, however, are ranking, or roughly four times the value of the 4 An earlier version of this paper, Duggan and Levitt (2001), derive a formal model of the incentives facing partic- 2 Nevertheless, in recent years, sumo wrestling has been ipants. For wrestlers on the bubble, the incentive to rig matches dogged by allegations of rigged matches, none of which increases monotonically over the course of a tournament. have been substantiated. Officials from the Japanese Sumo 5 Wrestlers ranked between fifth and tenth earn an annual Association dismiss these complaints as fabrications on the income—including only official wages, bonuses, and prize part of disgraced former wrestlers. Ultimately, despite years money—of roughly $250,000 per year. The fortieth-ranked of allegations, no formal disciplinary actions have been wrestler earns approximately $170,000.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Fanning the Flames: Fandoms and Consumer Culture in Contemporary Japan
    FANNING THE FLAMES Fans and Consumer Culture in Contemporary Japan Edited by William W. Kelly Fanning the Flames SUNY series in Japan in Transition Jerry Eades and Takeo Funabiki, editors Fanning the Flames Fans and Consumer Culture in Contemporary Japan EDITED BY WILLIAM W. K ELLY STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK PRESS Published by State University of New York Press, Albany © 2004 State University of New York All rights reserved Printed in the United States of America No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission. No part of this book may be stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means including electronic, electrostatic, magnetic tape, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise without the prior permission in writing of the publisher. For information, address State University of New York Press, 90 State Street, Suite 700, Albany, NY 12207 Production by Kelli Williams Marketing by Michael Campochiaro Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Fanning the f lames : fans and consumer culture in contemporary Japan / edited by William W. Kelly. p. cm. — (SUNY series in Japan in transition) Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN 0-7914-6031-2 (alk. paper) — ISBN 0-7914-6032-0 (pbk. : alk.paper) 1. Popular culture—Japan—History—20th century. I. Kelly, William W. II. Series. DS822.5b. F36 2004 306'.0952'09049—dc22 2004041740 10987654321 Contents List of Illustrations vii Acknowledgments ix Introduction: Locating the Fans 1 William W. Kelly 1 B-Boys and B-Girls: Rap Fandom and Consumer Culture in Japan 17 Ian Condry 2 Letters from the Heart: Negotiating Fan–Star Relationships in Japanese Popular Music 41 Christine R.
    [Show full text]
  • Hans Wurm’S Ringbuch C
    Hans Wurm’s Ringbuch c. 1507 - A Translation and Commentary By Keith P. Myers Exclusively for the ARMA, March 2002 The manuscript you see here is thought to have originated in approximately 1500 in the workshop of the Landshut woodcutter and printer Hans Wurm. “Landshut” could be translated as “grounds keeper”, which may go along with the description of Wurm as a “woodcutter” as well as a printer. Dr. Sydney Anglo, senior ARMA advisor and leading scholar of historical fencing, describes Wurm’s work as an “experimental and rudimentary block book”, and notes that it may have been one of the earliest printed treatises produced. The author remains anonymous, and only one copy is known to survive. It is thought to consist of the actual colored test prints made from the original wood blocks. It is unclear whether the Ringbuch was ever actually widely published. It was, however, plagiarized on at least two occasions. These later reproductions referred to the manuscript as “Das Landshuter Ringerbuch.” Although they demonstrate some dialect differences, these copies almost directly correlate with Wurm’s Ringbuch. Both likely arose independently of each other, and where based directly upon Wurm’s earlier work. The first copy is dated to approximately 1507. It does not designate the exact year, the author, the printer, or the locale. While it places the techniques in the same order as Wurm, the grapplers in the illustrations are dressed in a completely different fashion than in Wurm’s Ringbuch. The second copy is dated to approximately 1510. It originated from the Augsberg printer Hannsen Sittich.
    [Show full text]
  • JUDO Under the Authority of the Bakersfield Judo Club
    JUDO Under the Authority of the Bakersfield Judo Club Time: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 6:30 -8:00 PM Location: CSUB Wrestling Room Instructors: Michael Flachmann (4th Dan) Phone: 661-654-2121 Steve Walsh (1st Dan) Guest Instructors: Dale Kinoshita (5th Dan) Phone: (work) 834-7570 (home) 837-0152 Brett Sakamoto (4th Dan) Gustavo Sanchez (1st Dan) The Bakersfield Judo Club rd meets twice a week on 23 St / Hwy 178 Mondays and Thursdays from 7:00 to 9:00 PM. JUDO Club They practice under the 2207 ‘N’ Authority of Kinya th 22nd St Sakamoto, Rokudan (6 Degree Black Belt), at 2207 N St. ’ St Q ‘N’ St ‘ Chester Ave Truxtun Ave Etiquette: Salutations: Pronunciation: Ritsurei Standing Bow a = ah (baa) Zarei Sitting Bow e = eh (kettle) Seiza Sitting on Knees i = e (key) o = oh (hole) When to Bow: u = oo (cool) Upon entering or exiting the dojo. Upon entering or exiting the tatami. Definitions: Before class begins and after class ends. Judo “The Gentle Way” Before and after working with a partner. Judoka Judo Practitioner Sensei Instructor Where to sit: Dojo Practice Hall Kamiza (Upper Seat) for senseis. Kiotsuke ATTENTION! Shimoza (Lower Seat) for students. Rei Command to Bow Joseki – Right side of Shimoza Randori Free practice Shimoseki – Left side of Shimoza Uchi Komi “Fitting in” or “turning in” practice Judo Gi: Students must learn the proper Tatami Judo mat way to war the gi and obi. Students should Kiai Yell also wear zoris when not on the mat. Hajime Begin Matte STOP! Kata Fromal Exercises Tori Person practicing Students must have technique Uke Person being their own personal practiced on health and injury O Big or Major insurance.
    [Show full text]
  • Rikishi of Old the 60Th Yokozuna Futahaguro Koji (1963~) Part II
    Rikishi of Old The 60th Yokozuna Futahaguro Koji (1963~) Part II by Joe Kuroda Last time, Joe entertainingly curious to see if he had been truly injuries. explained the early career of rehabilitated and could focus on Yokozuna Futahaguro, the last his sumo. Right on cue, This all happened on December 27 grand champion before Futahaguro appeared to revive his 1987. While Futahaguro Asashoryu to effectively lose his former awesome self and put subsequently locked himself in his rank to bad behaviour. This time, together a 13-bout winning streak house and threatened to walk Joe reveals the exciting conclusion from day 1. He ended up losing to away from sumo, Tatsunami to Futahaguro’s story. both Hokutoumi and Chiyonofuji oyakata promptly went to the on the last two days and missed Kyokai office to tender In October 1987, Futahaguro out on the yusho again. However, Futahaguro's resignation without apparently became upset over a Futahaguro's 13-2 record was his consent from the yokozuna trivial matter and punched his best since promotion and he himself. The Kyokai directors tsukebito Yamanami. Five other looked firmly on the road to were caught off guard as most tsukebito all sympathized with recovery. were preparing for the New Year Yamanami as they too felt they celebration at that time. On could no longer take Futahaguro's As the basho – and indeed 1987 – December 31, the directors held an unpredictable and rough closed, it appeared that emergency meeting where they treatment. The six men then Futahaguro was finally on the way were told that several oyakata decided to run away from sumo to fully realising his potential, headed by then Takekuma oyakata together.
    [Show full text]
  • The Use of Functional Training – Crossfit Methods to Improve the Level of Special Training of Athletes Who Specialize in Combat Sambo
    View metadata, citation and similar papers at core.ac.uk brought to you by CORE provided by Siberian Federal University Digital Repository The use of functional training – crossfit methods to improve the level of special training of athletes who specialize in combat sambo. ALEKSANDER OSIPOV1, 2, MIKHAIL KUDRYAVTSEV1, 3,4,5, KONSTANTIN GATILOV1, TATYANA ZHAVNER1,4, YULYA KLIMUK1, EKATERINA PONOMAREVA1, ANNA VAPAEVA1, POLINA FEDOROVA1, EVGENY GAPPEL4, ALEKSANDER KARNAUKHOV4 1Siberian Federal University, 2Krasnoyarsk State Medical University named after professor V.F. Voyno- Yasenetsky, 3Reshetnev Siberian State University of Science and Technology, 4Krasnoyarsk State Pedagogical University named after V. P. Astafiev, 5Siberian Law Institute of the Ministry of Internal Affair of Russia, Krasnoyarsk, RUSSIA E-mail: [email protected] Abstract: The article is devoted to the search for effective methods of training effects on athletes specializing in combat sambo. It was revealed that the main criterion determining the success of combat sambo wrestlers in the competitive activity will be the level of their special training. Moreover, this training includes special endurance of athletes, active dynamics of competitive contests and the speed of recovery of fighters after intense training and competitive loads. Besides, to increase the level of special endurance combat sambo wrestlers significantly it was suggested to include in the training process of combat athletes the method of intensive functional training - crossfit. In a year of studies the tests on the evaluation of the level of recovery of combat athletes after a specific load showed that the athletes using the training method - crossfit in their training sessions demonstrated significantly (P <0.05) the best recovery time after the load than the wrestlers who did not use this technique.
    [Show full text]
  • This Sporting Life: Sports and Body Culture in Modern Japan William W
    Yale University EliScholar – A Digital Platform for Scholarly Publishing at Yale CEAS Occasional Publication Series Council on East Asian Studies 2007 This Sporting Life: Sports and Body Culture in Modern Japan William W. Kelly Yale University Atsuo Sugimoto Kyoto University Follow this and additional works at: http://elischolar.library.yale.edu/ceas_publication_series Part of the Asian History Commons, Asian Studies Commons, Cultural History Commons, Japanese Studies Commons, Social and Cultural Anthropology Commons, and the Sports Studies Commons Recommended Citation Kelly, William W. and Sugimoto, Atsuo, "This Sporting Life: Sports and Body Culture in Modern Japan" (2007). CEAS Occasional Publication Series. Book 1. http://elischolar.library.yale.edu/ceas_publication_series/1 This Book is brought to you for free and open access by the Council on East Asian Studies at EliScholar – A Digital Platform for Scholarly Publishing at Yale. It has been accepted for inclusion in CEAS Occasional Publication Series by an authorized administrator of EliScholar – A Digital Platform for Scholarly Publishing at Yale. For more information, please contact [email protected]. This Sporting Life Sports and Body Culture in Modern Japan j u % g b Edited by William W. KELLY With SUGIMOTO Atsuo YALE CEAS OCCASIONAL PUBLICATIONS VOLUME 1 This Sporting Life Sports and Body Culture in Modern Japan yale ceas occasional publications volume 1 © 2007 Council on East Asian Studies, Yale University All rights reserved Printed in the United States of America No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permis- sion. No part of this book may be stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means including electronic electrostatic, magnetic tape, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise without the prior permission in writing of the publisher.
    [Show full text]
  • Bowie Mixed Martial Arts LLC 2146 PRIEST BRIDGE CT #7, CROFTON, MD 21114, UNITED STATES│ (240) 286-5219│
    Free uniform included with new membership. Bowie Mixed Martial Arts LLC 2146 PRIEST BRIDGE CT #7, CROFTON, MD 21114, UNITED STATES│ (240) 286-5219│ WWW.MMAOFBOWIE.COM BOWIE MIXED MARTIAL ARTS Member Handbook BRAZILIAN JIU-JITSU │ JUDO │ WRESTLING │ KICKBOXING Copyright © 2019 Bowie Mixed Martial Arts LLC. All Rights Reserved. Bowie Mixed Martial Arts LLC 2146 PRIEST BRIDGE CT #7, CROFTON, MD 21114, UNITED STATES│ (240) 286-5219│ WWW.MMAOFBOWIE.COM Free uniform included with new membership. Member Handbook Welcome to the world of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. The Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu program consists of a belt ranking system that begins at white belt and progresses to black belt. Each belt level consists of specific techniques in 7 major categories; takedowns, sweeps, guard passes, submissions, defenses, escapes, and combinations. Techniques begin with fundamentals and become more difficult as each level is reached. In addition, each belt level has a corresponding number of techniques for each category. The goal for each of us should be to become a Master, the epitome of the professional warrior. WARNING: Jiu-Jitsu, like any sport, involves a potential risk for serious injury. The techniques used in these classes are being demonstrated by highly trained professionals and are being shown solely for training purposes and competition. Doing techniques on your own without professional instruction and supervision is not a substitute for training. No one should attempt any of these techniques without proper personal instruction from trained instructors. Anyone who attempts any of these techniques without supervision assumes all risks. Bowie Mixed Martial Arts LLC., shall not be liable to anyone for the use of any of these techniques.
    [Show full text]
  • Techniques Frequently Used During London Olympic Judo Tournaments: a Biomechanical Approach
    Techniques frequently used during London Olympic judo tournaments: A biomechanical approach S. Sterkowicz,1 A. Sacripanti2, K. Sterkowicz – Przybycien3 1 Department of Theory of Sport and Kinesiology, Institute of Sport, University School of Physical Education, Kraków, Poland 2 Chair of Biomechanics of Sports, FIJLKAM, ENEA, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, Italy 3 Department of Gymnastics, Institute of Sport, University School of Physical Education, Kraków, Poland Abstract Feedback between training and competition should be considered in athletic training. The aim of the study was contemporary coaching tendencies in women’s and men’s judo with particular focus on a biomechanical classification of throws and grappling actions. 359 throws and 77 grappling techniques scored by male and female athletes in Olympic Judo Tournaments (London 2012) have been analyzed. Independence of traits (gender and weight category by technique classes) was verified via c2 test. Comparison between frequency of each subsequent technique class and rest/inconclusive counts was made in 2×2 contingency tables. The significance level was set at p£0.05. Throwing technique frequencies grouped in the seven biomechanical classes were dependent on gender. A significant difference was found between frequencies of variable arm of physical lever technique scored by males (27.09%) and females (16.67%) as compared to the rest/inconclusively techniques counts. Significant differences between men who competed in extra lightweight and heavy weight concerned the frequency of the techniques used with maximum arm or variable arm of physical lever and a couple of forces applied by trunk and legs. In females, a tendency to higher frequency of techniques that used couple of forces applied by arm or arms and leg was observed in extra lightweight compared to the heavy weight.
    [Show full text]
  • Sag E Arts Unlimited Martial Arts & Fitness Training
    Sag e Arts Unlimited Martial Arts & Fitness Training Grappling Intensive Program - Basic Course - Sage Arts Unlimited Grappling Intensive Program - Basic Course Goals for this class: - To introduce and acclimate students to the rigors of Grappling. - To prepare students’ technical arsenal and conceptual understanding of various formats of Grappling. - To develop efficient movement skills and defensive awareness in students. - To introduce students to the techniques of submission wrestling both with and without gi’s. - To introduce students to the striking aspects of Vale Tudo and Shoot Wrestling (Shooto) and their relationship to self-defense, and methods for training these aspects. - To help students begin to think tactically and strategically regarding the opponent’s base, relative position and the opportunities that these create. - To give students a base of effective throws and breakfalls, transitioning from a standing format to a grounded one. Class Rules 1. No Injuries 2. Respect your training partner, when they tap, let up. 3. You are 50% responsible for your safety, tap when it hurts. 4. An open mind is not only encouraged, it is mandatory. 5. Take Notes. 6. No Whining 7. No Ego 8. No Issues. Bring Every Class Optional Equipment Notebook or 3-ring binder for handouts and class notes. Long or Short-sleeved Rashguard Judo or JiuJitsu Gi and Belt Ear Guards T-shirt to train in (nothing too valuable - may get stretched out) Knee Pads Wrestling shoes (optional) Bag Gloves or Vale Tudo Striking Gloves Mouthguard Focus Mitts or Thai Pads Smiling Enthusiasm and Open-mindedness 1 Introduction Grappling Arts from around the World Nearly every culture has its own method of grappling with a unique emphasis of tactic, technique and training mindset.
    [Show full text]
  • BA Ritgerð the Change of Tides
    BA ritgerð Japanskt Mál og menning The Change of tides: The advent of non-nationals in Sumo Henry Fannar Clemmensen Leiðbeinandi Gunnella Þorgeirsdóttir September 2019 Háskóli Íslands Hugvísindasvið Japanskt mál og menning The Change of Tides: The advent of non-nationals in Sumo Ritgerð til B.A.-prófs Henry Fannar Clemmensen Kt.: 260294-3429 Leiðbeinandi: Gunnella Þorgeirsdóttir September 2019 1 Abstract Non-Japanese sumo wrestlers are common today, but that has not always been the case. For over a thousand years sumo tournaments were exclusively held by Japanese men, and up until the 1960s foreigners were almost unheard of in the professional sumo scene. As the world’s modernization and internationalization accelerated so did foreign interest in the National sport of sumo. Today the sport has spread to over 87 countries which have joined the International Sumo Federation. With an interest in professional sumo in Japan at an all-time low and with fewer wrestlers applying to stables than ever before, viewers of tournaments and media coverage of events has been decreasing, which is closely followed by western originated sports having overtaken sumo in popularity e.g. soccer and baseball. Yet the interest in sumo on an international scale has increased considerably. In which way has this rising internationalization affected the sumo world and the professional sumo world and how is it reflected in modern Japanese society, in what way did the wrestlers coming from overseas experience the sumo culture compared to how it is today? Today the sumo scene is largely dominated by Mongolian wrestlers, how did this come to pass and how has the society of Japan reacted to these changes.
    [Show full text]
  • Du Rite Au Sport
    From Rite to Sport 0 From Rite to Sport 1 From Rite to Sport 2 Introduction Au printemps 1854, le commodore Matthew C. Perry de la Marine des Etats-Unis parvint à signer un traité de commerce et d’amitié avec le shogunat du Japon, entrouvrant ainsi une porte sur un pays exotique jusque là demeuré résolument fermé au monde occidental, depuis deux siècles et demi d’isolement volontaire. Après la signature des concessions, un échange mutuel et raffiné de cadeaux eut lieu : la maison du traité dans le port de Yokohama fut emplie de délicates pièces de mobilier laqué, de soies et de riches broderies, de porcelaines, d’éventails et de boîtes à pipes. L’interprète japonais traduisit la longue liste des cadeaux en néerlandais, et un membre de l’équipage de Perry se chargea de retranscrire le tout en anglais. Alors que le commodore s’apprêtait à repartir, les officiels japonais lui signalèrent qu’il restait encore un article destiné au Président des Etats-Unis qui n’avait pas encore été présenté, et ils le conduisirent sur la plage, où plusieurs centaines d’immenses sacs de riz étaient entassés, prêts à être chargés à bord des bateaux américains. « Alors que je contemplais ces preuves concrètes de la générosité japonaise », note Francis L. Hawkes, chroniqueur officiel des expéditions de Perry, dans son rapport à destination du Congrès américain, rédigé deux ans plus tard, « l’attention de tout le monde fut soudainement attirée par une masse de corps d’hommes monstrueux, qui déambulaient sur la plage comme une horde d’éléphants.
    [Show full text]
  • Wrestling in Indian Literature
    Wrestling in Indian Literature Kush Dhebar1 1. Pelican B flat 605, Raheja Woods, Kalyani Nagar, Pune -411006, Maharashtra, India (Email: [email protected]) Received: 28 August 2016; Accepted: 03 October 2016; Revised: 18 October 2016 Heritage: Journal of Multidisciplinary Studies in Archaeology 4 (2016): 251-260 Abstract: One can find stray reference to wrestling in Indian Literature, this article is an attempt to collate these references and create a rough time frame of wrestling right from ancient to modern period. Keywords: Wrestling, Physical Culture, History, Archaeology, Sports, Martial Arts, Literature Introduction Wrestling is the structured somatic principles based on how the wrestlers make sense of who they are through the medium of their bodies (Deshpande 1993: 202). The game of wrestling is considered the King of Manly games in India (Mujumdar 1950: 173). In Sanskrit it is known as Mallavidya and the people who practice it were known as Mallas (Joshi 1957: 51). Over a period of time the word wrestling became synonymous with a number of other words like Kushti, Malla-Yuddha, Bāhu-Yuddha, Pahalwani (Deshpande 1993: 202) and Saṅgraha (Agarwala 1953: 158). Wrestling takes place in akhādas or mallaśālas. Membership can range from 5-6 persons to 50-60 as well. All the members show their allegiance to a Guru who is aided by guru bhais or dadas in the management and the running of the akhādas. These akhādas usually have an earthen/mud pit where the wrestlers fight and practice, an exercise floor, a well and a temple or a shrine. Some exquisite akhādas also had vikśanamaṇḍapas (visitors’ galleries) where Mallakrīḍāmahotsavas (grand wrestling festivals) took place (Deshpande 1993: 202, Das 1985: 36, Joshi 1957: 51).
    [Show full text]