Re: [sumo] pain and tradition,for those interested

[Lynn Matsuoka <artist@traditions.jp>]

> ---------- Forwarded message ----------
> From: Joe Klemmer <klemmerj@webtrek.com>
> Organization: WebTrek
> To: sumo@statgen.ncsu.edu
> Subject: [OT] Bruhahaha
> Date: Wed, 30 Jul 2003 08:53:21 -0400
> 
> Please indulge me one observation on this list.  It is not a flame
> nor a criticism of the members of the list.

> I used to think that only techies would be inclined to break out
> into a flame war over things very esoteric and ethereal like the
> concept of tradition.  I have been, to my embarrassment, party to
> royal rumbles on such things as naming conventions of file names
> and the color of a one pixel image.  I say all of this because it
> strikes me how naive I am WRT the world outside of geekdom.  Maybe
> I need to get out more.
> 
> Oh, FWIW I can understand the feelings of those who find the
> ponytail as being a Bad Thing<tm>.  While I might think it's silly
> on a rational level (and what affectation isn't?) the value of
> tradition is one thing I have held since birth.


This is not about feelings. Japanese Professional Sumo is  about tradition.
If traditional aspects of this are annoying,that's OK . Amateur sumo might
be a good alternative.
Too many things in this world are extinct , or on their way. It is hard
enough to keep some of the traditions alive and I have only the highest
respect and appreciation for those who are willing to live the
excruciatingly tough life of Japanese Sumo.

 Those who think that some of these traditional values (which are NOT to be
compared to or understood in any form of logic- I had to get over that
western-think a long time ago with regard to sumo and Kabuki) are
inconvenient or disposable are not going to be instrumental or supportive of
the survival of real sumo or any other traditional art. This is not a
surface game where you crash heads, take a bite of your opponent and go
home... This is not only a sport, the Kyokai would like you to know... It is
a subculture - a way of life, and an art. The men who agree to live that
life must live by the rules, and have to be above the casual observations,
superficial criticisms and prodding of those outside that world.
There is beauty and also pain in all that.

 Personally I have learned a great deal, sometimes in some  unpleasant ways.
But that is OK. My New York upbringing caused me to think logical/critical
thoughts for a long time. But in the interest of really "grokking" ( can I
use that?) the subject of my artwork, I learned to let go of my past when
entering sumo ( This is what Akebono said allowed him to flower into the
amazing man he became). I had to remind myself- why am I here? To change the
world? Or to see it as it is, capture the beauty of it on paper, to have it
transcend another form and exist there too.
It has taught me patience and tolerance, unknown in the lands of NY...and I
am a different person when I am there.
I would hope that through my artwork and the book I am writing, I can
somehow get across to those who are interested, the real sumo. I believe and
have talked this over with the Rijicho (Former Dewanoumi- a wonderful
individual) that the rikishi do not know what they are. They just are. And
sumo , as THEY know, is much more than meets the eye.

If all this sounds too romantic for some... Sorry. But that is my take. Look
to others for the tech take. But Sumo embodies it all, and you can take away
what you want... Isn't it wonderful?

Lynn Matsuoka






[EndPost by Lynn Matsuoka <artist@traditions.jp>]