Re: Questions from a new(ish) fan...

[Jezz <jezz@urban.ne.jp>]

Hi!  Well, I'm not a Sumo expert, but I have a little time, so I'll give you MY
opinions (not necessarily facts) to some of your questions.  I am sure I will be
soon corrected by the true sumo guros if I make a istake ;-)  If you don't mind,
I'll break your post into more manageable sections, in case we get any
inter-Basho discussions developing on some of the points....

jkleader wrote:

>
> Do stables have characteristic styles?

Yes, to some extent.  Often the rikishi will try to do Sumo like their oyakatta,
or like some other big name in the heya.  Futagoyama rikishi, for example, are
particularly good on the edge of the Dohyo.

>

> Do some
> have special mawashi colors?

Not really, it is more for the rikishi's personal choosing, although Toki has of
course recently adopted the orange mawashii colour (along with the side-burns)
of a former great from Takasago-Beya, Takamiyama, now Azumazeki-Oyakatta.

> A distinctive style of salt throwing?

Again, not really, although Chiyotaikai imitates his Oyakatta, the former
Chiyonofuji, in the 'horizontal' throw.


>
> Is the term stable appropriate or should I use heya (or something else)?

'Heya' is most appropiate (as it is the real word!) to be used by those who
understand the term.  Heya literally means a room, or an apartment or a
chamber.  For those new to Sumo, I personally think that 'stable' is an
appropiate term - you get 'Boxing Stables' in the West, as well as horse
stables!

>

- Jejima

(More to follow)