[sumo] Danpatsu Ceremony - Takanohana and Terao

[Joe Kuroda <joe_kuroda@yahoo.com>]

"As if on a revolving lantern, I started seeing all
sorts of things since his debut basho in 1988," said
Futagoyama oyakata as he cut off his son, Takanohana's
mage at the Danpatsu ceremony held at the sold out
Kokugikan on June 1.

Takanohana's Danpatsu ceremony was attended by 11,000
people but only 50 people including former Yokozuna
Wakanohana did the cutting on the dohyo. Normally 300
to 400 people are invited to cut the mage.  

Another unique thing was that Takanonami and
Akinoshima assumed Tatemochi and Tsuyuharai roles for
the dohyo-iri.  Traditionally the sitting yokozunas
will do the honor.  

"I feel fine. Sort of feeling a bit lighter now," said
Takanohana oyakata after the ceremony.

Futagoyama oyakata expressed his desire to focus
solely on his job as Director of Judging and 
plans to hand over the heya to Takanohana oyakata as
early as the next Spring.  Then the heya name 
will change to "Takanohana Beya" sometime next year.  


On the previous day, former sekiwake "Iron Man Terao"
and now Shikoroyama oyakata had his Danpatsu 
ceremony also at the Kokugikan with a sell out crowd
of 11,000 fans attending. 

When his brother and shisho Izutsu oyakata finally
chopped of the mage after 300 people who did the
honor, there were loud applause everywhere in the
Kokugikan.  

Shikoroyama oyakata said he promised himself he would
not cry during the ceremony but when his sons came up
on the dohyo and put the scissors, he said he could
not help himself. 

"After the retirmement, I felt rather sad when kids
come up and say, "Osumo san" when they saw my mage but
now it's gone I feel relieved," said the oyakata
touching his hair. 

Normally a woman is offlimit on the dohyo but the
oyakata carried a portrait of his mother who 
passed away when he was in high school and whose
maiden name he adapted as his shikona.   


=====
.....Jonosuke 
  <  Heart  Technique  Physique     ?S   ?Z   ?Ì  >

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[EndPost by Joe Kuroda <joe_kuroda@yahoo.com>]