Wakanohana dohyo-iri

[Joe Kuroda <joe_kuroda@yahoo.com>]

On April 2, former yokozuna Wakanohana (current
Fujishima oyakata) kicked of the Spring Jyungyo by
performing the "Offering" dohyo-iri ceremony at the
Ise Jingu, arguably the holiest of Shinto shrines,
located in Mie Prefecture (Ise Jingu's history goes
back 2,000 years.  Its web site (in Japanese) is at
http://www.infocr.co.jp/hometown/ise/jingu/jg.html and
is well worth checking).  

Wakanohana displayed his "Shiranui" style dohyo-ir in
front of over 2,500 people who gathered to cheer
Wakanohana on.  His popularity is still strong among
sumo and non-sumo fans alike though he retired on Day
5 of the Haru Basho.  Ever since the Kyokai announced
that Wakanohana III would visit the 18 city Jyungyo
tour to perform his dohyo-iri, the tickets sales have
been going strong.

A retired yokozuna's dohyo-iri ceremony was last
performed by Hokutoumi (current Hakkaku oyakata) at an
oversea Jyungyo event eight years ago when there was
no active yokozuna.  Both Kitanofuji and Kotozakura
(current Sadogatake oyakata) performed the dohyo-iris
in the Natsu Jyungyo, 1974, twenty six years ago.     
   

=====
.....Jonosuke 
  <  Heart  Technique  Physique     ^ÐS   ^ËZ   ^ÑÌ  >

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