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

[Lynn Matsuoka <artist@traditions.jp>]

On 7/30/03 6:25 PM, "Richard Moczygemba" <moczy@vvm.com> wrote:

> Many Japanese cultural treasures are embodied in the people who practice them,
> such as Kabuki, Geisha, and Sumo.  To make changes in any of them is to make
> them into something else, and they cease to exist.

Yes- that is it.

LM






> Lynn Matsuoka wrote:
> 
>>> ---------- 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>]
> 
> 
> 

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