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.
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 Richard Moczygemba <moczy@vvm.com>]