Re: Comparing sumo with American sports

[Stephen Messer <smesser@hiddenmind.com>]

Aaron Willis wrote:
> 
> 
> >Trying to make strained comparisons between Kevin
> > McHale's job and Chiyonofuji's job is just going to result in a total
> > misunderstanding of what an oyakata does.
> 
> There are strong similarities between Kevin McHale and Chiyonofuji.  They
> were both remarkable athletes in their respected sport and because of their
> love for the game they are teaching people how to participate and survive in
> their sport.  Kevin is not a coach but spends a lot of his time working with
> the players, teaching them how to play, informing them with his experience
> how to survive in the NBA, and be respectable players both on and off the
> court.  My understanding (correct me if I'm wrong) is that Chiyonofuji does
> the same thing, only his sport is sumo and he lives in Japan.
> 
> 


Well, those are all examples of what I would call "strained
comparisons".  For
the record, I'd like to note that in my above quote, I said "Kevin
McHale's
job" and "Chiyonofuji's job", not just "Kevin McHale and Chiyonofuji",
but anyway......

A comparison is, in my mind, "strained", whenever it is so general that
it
does not serve to illuminate.  For example, let's consider the
similarities
between myself and Kevin McHale.  We both played basketball when we were
younger.  We've both taught young athletes.  We both lived in Boston for
a time.  I could go on, but I think the point is made.  For me to say
that
there are strong similarities between me and Kevin McHale based on banal
points of comparison tells you very little about me.  Just as the quoted
comparisons above are so general that they can apply to anyone who has
ever played a sport or coached a sport.  If that helps you understand
sumo,
then so be it.  I don't see much value in such comparisons as a means of
understanding anything.  But to each his own. :)

Well, this thread has played itself out, imo, so I'm finished with it.
Looks like it's turning into a festival of jokes comparing sumo to 
every sport on Earth anyway. ;)

sjm