Re: [sumo] Shikona kanji meaning

[Joe Kuroda <joe_kuroda@yahoo.com>]

 --- Ian Darrow <ginnosho@yahoo.com> wrote: 
> this is typical of the enlightened samurai
> aesthetic, not to mention
> the usual Japanese practice of self-deprecation. 
> (Like the neighbour
> that gives you some cookies, saying, "These are
> probably bad, but
> please accept some of my cookies.")  

My understanding always is just that. That it is
self-deprecation.  Humbleness is a noble quality in
Japanese society. When you sometimes get a box of
gift, you may notice two kanjis - the first one
reprensents poor quality as in a Japanese word
"SOmatsu" and the second is simply a thing. "shina". 
So you think why would anyone  write "garbage" on the
top of box and give to you?  Well it's all about this
self-deprecation.

I think these days you often see "shikona" written
with "Shiko" kanjis used for when a rikishi does a
shiko so I think the original meaning has been lost
already.

Another meaning of the original word has "hated" or
"disliked" connotation as it is a word of "ugliness". 
I believe this is where "strong" comes from.  Like
saying he is so strong that you want to hate him or
you can't bear to even see him compete because he is
so overwhelming, making his opponents pitiful.

I believe every yokozuna wants to get to this level as
when a yokozuna is almost invincible, you will find as
many people disliking him as adoring him.   

=====
.....Jonosuke 
  <  Heart  Technique  Physique      &#24515;&#12288;&#25216;&#12288;&#20307;&#12288;>
[EndPost by Joe Kuroda <joe_kuroda@yahoo.com>]