More attempts at answers...

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

More *opinions* from Jejima ;-)

jkleader wrote:

> How do stables recruit?

Many ways!  Recruiting good college rikishi is one way.  Some kids *want* to
become rikishi and approach the stable.  Word-of-mouth about a young, big,
strong kid out in the inaka (sticks) is another....

> Do they focus on specific geographical regions or
> recruit from a specific socio-economic class?

It used to be the poor big kids from the rural, working class, who were costing
their families too much to feed, who used to be the main source for rikishi.
Also Hokkaido *was* traditionally a place where a lot of good rikishi came
from.  It seems to have changed quite a bit these days.

>
> Do Oyakata rely on their own charisma to recruit?

Quite often.

> Send out star rikishi to
> dazzle the prospects?

Also true.

>

> Is there a limit on the number of recruits a stable can sign?

I don't think so, but there is probably a limit to the number of rikishi that
any heya can feasibly look after, and train.  Most (if not all) Heyas have just
the one practice dohyo, and limited accomodation.


> Is there an equivalent to the draft
> system used by American professional sports?
>

No.

>
> What does an Oyakata look for in a prospect?  Size, speed, strength,
> obedience, desire, a good family?

Desire is probably the main factor, although size would certainly play a major
part!

> Do some refuse to accept potential troublemakers, no matter how
> talented?
>

Not sure.  However, Chiyotaikai, was a well-known bad boy before he was
recruited - but only after he had shaven his blond mohican....  showing
obedience / desire, I guess!

> What is the story behind the rise and fall of the House of Futogoyama?

There was a merger with another strong Heya.  Also the Oyakattas two strong
sons, Taka and Waka, were a major force in the heya becoming dominant.

> What
> is the story behind the rise of the House of Musashigawa?

They have possibly the best training regime, and dedication out of all the
current stables.  The Oyakatta is especially attentive.  But, the dominant
rikishi in the Heya would have done well in any Heya they had gone too, with the
possible exception of Wakanoyama who is surely benefitting from his heya-mates.

> Do some stables seem to be snake-bitten or cursed?  For example, there seem
> to be a large number of stables who never have anyone in the top divisions?
>

Some of those Heyas are still quite recent (there seems to have been quite an
expansion in the number of stables over the last 20 years) - give them time!


-Jejima