[Sumo] Singing Sumotori

[Joe Petrow <ae893@detroit.freenet.org>]

I happened to turn on NHK ataround 5:30pm, and noticed Morning Musume
singing on a stage in front of the dohyo at the Kogikukan.  The surreal
scene became even more intriguing when they introduced Toki, and he
started belting out an enka tune!

This was apparently the 33rd Annual Ozumo Benefit or some sort, but I
couldn't figure out exactly what they were benefitting.  Five rikishi
(Toki, Takanowaka, Ohinode, Tokitsuumi, and Wakanoyama) were paired up
with singers (mostly enka, with the exception of Morning Musume, a J-Pop
group) to perform for the crowd, the proceeds going to some charity or
other.  Most of the rikishi did their best salaryman karaoke
impersonations to enka tunes, but Tokitsuumi did his to a SMAP ballad that
was popular around two years ago.

For what it's worth, I thought Wakanoyama had the best voice of all the
rikishi, but I don't see any of them giving up their day job anytime
soon...

  - Joe