Re: Oyakata prerequisite

[Charles Steinhardt <charles@Princeton.EDU>]

You'd get considerable disagreement on the value of Bobby Knight as a
coach, even in Indiana.

On Wed, 1 Dec 1999, Aaron Willis wrote:

> All of this talk with Oyakatas has developed a question I would like to ask.
> How does one become an Oyakata and are there special characteristics that
> would make someone a great Oyakata?  Do great Yokozuna's make great
> Oyakatas?  As many people on this list are probably aware, I like to compare
> the sport of sumo with other sports, so I will make my question for
> comparison now.  I will talk basketball because this is the sport I know and
> love the best.  The best coaches are the ones who are not necessarily the
> best players but the ones who spent most of their time on the bench learning
> and watching the game develop, such as Bobby Knight and Dean Smith.  Are
> Oyakatas found in this same manner?  I did not mention any pro coaches
> because I believe there isn't any teaching or learning at that level.
> Because sumo is a pro sport does the past statement also apply for the sport
> of sumo?  Could their be more teaching and coaching found in the university
> ranks?
> 
> I am not too sure what the Oyakata's do and what their responsibilities are
> for being a "coach" so if someone could enlighten me, I would appreciate it
> much.
> 
> Thanks,
> 
> Aaron Willis
> 
>