RE: [sumo] Asashouryuu AWOL

["Barbara Ann" <baklein@attglobal.net>]

Sounds like a lot more than "skimming" with all the detail, thank you very
much. 

As one who probably has the "close-up" point of view, I'll say first that
who knows if Asashoryu really didn't tell Takasago Oyakata. Takasago hasn't
ever been very supportive of the yokozuna when it suited him (or the
Kyokai). Maybe it's possible that Asa DID tell Takasago, but Takasago did
not advise the Kyokai, so, when it "got out", Takasago was like Colonel
Klink - "I know nothing, Herr Kommandant".  When everyone was criticizing
the yokozuna for this or that, Takasago never once came to the defense of
his top  money earner and his superior sumo, but did he want a piece of the
wedding treasuries, both in Mongolia AND Japan even though he did not take
part in any of the planning?  Of course. Permission, common sense, greed,
or, pandering to superiors in the Kyokai........hmmmmm. 

Asashoryu might be immature at times, but he's not stupid. He doesn't
exactly surf, although he is a very accomplished swimmer and would probably
excel. Chiyotaikai does. In fact, the yokozuna has taken an interest in a
very sedentary (to me) sport lately. Moreover, Asashoryu will not put
himself in a position where he would be exposed to physical risk.  And would
any hazards of travel, whether or not the Oyakata or the Kyokai or both gave
permission, be reduced because of that permission? Seems unlikely to me. As
for within reach? If a star or other purportedly important person goes to
Nepal, or South America - or Mongolia, who is to judge what is out of reach?
There are telephones in and flights to and from most places. 

Ah, the lower ranks - yes, they do travel, as I think I mentioned in my
initial email on this subject. I'm talking about the foreign, not only
Mongolian, rikishi who are rewarded with a trip home if they do well, i.e.,
kachi-koshi. In fact, on the plane to Mongolia after last May's basho, I
believe there were four from the non-salaried levels paying their respects
to the yokozuna as well as Hakuho and Kyokushuzan.

As for having drivers - that may be the case for so-called "important"
people in Japan, a practice with which I have no argument, but many
politicians, diplomats, movie stars and others outside of Japan drive either
occasionally or regularly.

Thanks, Moti, for getting this discussion started. It's very healthy to have
an exchange of views from both a distance, close-up and from China, where I
am now until Nagoya.

Trying to stay out of harm's way being a legend in my own mind :-) and in my
defense of yokozuna mode,

BRTK



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[EndPost by "Barbara Ann" <baklein@attglobal.net>]