Re: [sumo] April 10th Osaka-Exhibition tournament

[Joe Kuroda <joe_kuroda@yahoo.com>]

--- Lawrence Rogers <rogers@hawaii.edu> wrote:
> by the sumo association. My spies tell me
> one of the reasons 
> for the decline in Japanese attendance is
> dissatisfaction at the 
> increase in the number of foreign rikishi.  I
> suspect 
> further 'internationalization' will keep more Jpnse
> away.

Well it is one of the reasons but that is not entirely
true. Whenever you have a formidable yokozuna and
pitiful performance from all the others, you will have
a declining number of people showing up and watching.
When Taiho was in his prime, there were quite a few
empty seats as well.

I also believe the attendance increased a little bit
earlier last year when Japanese economy picked up but
then again it's sliding back to doldrums again so that
gets reflected as well. 

Any way to encourage more people coming in to the
venue whether they are English speaking or Japanese
speaking is a good thing. I have not heard any
negative comment from folks back home by having
English announcement at all. 

Personally I feel the internationalization of sumo is
also a  good thing as long as they preserve its core traditions.

.....Jonosuke 
  <  Heart  Technique  Physique      &#24515;&#12288;&#25216;&#12288;&#20307;&#12288;>

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