Re: Another banzuke construction problem

[Stefan Gelow <f95-sge@nada.kth.se>]

At 12:58 2001-12-12 -0800, you wrote:
>Let's look at another banzuke construction problem. This one is a real life
example except for one slightly altered fact.
>
>It is December 1987, a glorious time when you surged with energy and
nothing sagged. As you make your way in the chill Tokyo air from Ryogoku
station to the Kokugikan, you are informed that due to unforeseen
circumstances, the job of making the banzuke for the upcoming Hatsu basho
will fall upon your broad shoulders, er, nimble mind.
>
>Settling in, you notice a potential problem at the bottom of the banzuke
due to some rather strange results from the recently completed Kyushu basho:
>
>M-7W Kirishima    7-8
>M-8E Ryogoku     10-5
>M-8W Ozutsu       8-7
>M-9E Takanofuji   8-7
>M-9W Terao        8-7
>M-10E Tagaryu     8-7
>M-10W Daitetsu    8-7
>M-11E Sadanoumi   8-7
>M-11W Toryu       8-7
>M-12E Kotoinazuma 8-7
>M-12W Nankairyu   8-7
>M-13E Enazakura   8-7
>M-13W Masurao     0-0-15 (public injury)
>
>You take solace in the fact that such results are purely and completely
coincidental, since the Lords of the Kyokai have investigated and determined
that yaocho simply doesn't exist - no way.  You proceed to glance at the top
of the Juryo standings and smile as you note J-1E Hananokuni with a 6-9
record. Turning to the west side, you suddenly feel a bit nauseous after
seeing J-1W Onohana at 11-4.
>
>Ah, if only this were real life!!  Then Onohana would be at 9-6, you could
slot him over to the Juryo east side top spot, wish him better luck next
time, shrug your shoulders and be on your merry way.  But in our alternative
universe, a funny little world where yaocho freely flows, strange potions
are poured into the chanko and occasionally small bits of reality are
twisted around, Onohana somehow converted 2 of those losses into wins and is
now just not politely knocking on the door to makuuchi but threatening to
bang it down.  Contemplating your fate, you see 5 alternatives:
>
>1. After congratulating J-1W Onohana on his outstanding performance in
Juryo, inform him that there is simply "no room at the inn", tell him how
confident you are that he will win the Hatsu Juryo yusho and quickly run for
cover.
>
>2. Tell M-7W Kirishima how much you admire his sumo and that you are sure
he will one day reach ozeki. Proceed to inform him that his 7 wins at M7
simply doesn't cut it to stay in makuuchi and run for cover. 
>
>3. Congratulate M-13E Enazakura on achieving his kachi-koshi, mumble
something about rules being made to be broken, wish him well in Juryo next
basho and run for cover.
>
>4. Demote someone other than Kirishima to Juryo.  Possibilities are M-5E
Dewanohana at 6-9, M-3E Kotogaume at 5-10, M-2E Itai at 4-11, M-1W Daijuyama
at 3-12 and K-E Jingaku at 2-13. In all cases, run for cover.
>
>5. Decide that working with the Kyokai might not be such a hot job after
all, submit your resignation and let some other poor fool worry about it.
>
>So all you banzuke pros, what would the Kyokai have done?  And probably
more interesting, what should they have done?

I know what I would have done:

Ah! I can't really accept this order of there being only 38 rikishi in the
top division.  (I belive there actually was a rule already at this time that
prevented Makunouchi to be bigger than 40 rikishi, despite there only being
38). No, we should make them a 40 in the future! -> Onohana and Ho-o gets a
promotion, a couple of extra Makushita guys come to Juryo and EVERYBODY is
happy...

I think that's actually what the Kyokai WOULD have done too. It's a bit of
creative banzuke making, but if that's what it takes... I can't see any
better alternatives.

/Stefan Gelow