Re: Women forbidden on the dohyo?

[abe@kaleida.com (Masumi Abe)]

>Jim Maertens writes:
>>  
>> I also saw this movie a few years ago on a plane going to or from 
>> Japan.  (I forget which direction).  I also enjoyed it.  The version 
>> of the movie I saw was subtitled in English, which I enjoy much more 
>> than movies that are "dubbed". 
>> 
>> Anyway, in this movie, they also mention that women are forbidden
>> not only from competing in Sumo, but also from actually setting foot
>> on the dohyo at anytime.  Can someone please verify this?  And I'm
>> curious if any official reason is given for this rule.
>> 
>> Don't worry.  I'm not trying to claim sumo is sexist.  Tommy's 
>> posting made me think of the movie, and so I'm curious how accurate
>> the movie was.  Thanks.
>> 
>> Jim
>> 
>Yes, women are forbidden on the dohyo.  There was an article in
>Sumo World on the subject a few issues ago.  I forgot what it said,
>but I think it was something to the effect that political powers
>were pressuring the Kyokai to allow women to hold positions in the
>Kyokai and to present awards for the yusho.

Any cultural activities are under the guidance of Mombu-sho, Ministry of
Education, Science and Culture. It is the one "control" the contents of
text books for the elementary and secondary schools.

Since sumo is considered a cultural event, Mombusho start providing a big
Mombu Daijin-sho championship cup from Mombu Daijin or Minister of
Education, Science and Culture. When Prime Minister Kaifu, I think it was
during his tenure, he appointed Ms. Moriyama to Minister of Education.
Traditionally, before then, only a deputy minister was the one actually
giving the cup to the yusho rikishi, but Ms. Moriyama wanted to do that by
herself.

Many women's liberation group wanted her to break a traditional "sexist"
barrier, but it did not happen. Ms. Moriyama decided not to push too hard
to break the "Japanese cultural tradition". She saw the practice, not as a
matter of sexism, but a matter of cultural tradition, and she respected
that. That was an official (and probably political) solution.

By the way, there are so many prizes for yusho rikishi. From Japanese
government alone, Prime Minister's Cup, Education Minister's Cup, and
Emperor's Cup, if you consider the Emperor as a part of government system
of Japan.

-Masumi
>
>Richard Webb
>webb@phys3.physics.wsu.edu
>
>______________________________________________________________________
>Department of Physics                          Office:  (509) 335-7012
>Washington State University                    FAX:     (509) 335-7816
>Pullman, WA  99164-2814                        Home:    (509) 334-6256
>______________________________________________________________________
>
>"I think their experience with us may have helped their contemptuousness;
> the ignorance they come by naturally."
>--Chuck McManis (personal communication)

sxsxsxsxsxsxsxsxsxsxsxsxsxsxsxsxsxsxsxsxsxsxsxsxsxsxsxsxsxsxsxsxsxsxsxsxsxsxsx
Masumi Abe                                      Tel: (415) 966-0824
Kaleida Labs, Inc.                              Fax: (415) 966-0496
1945 Charleston Road                            Internet:  abe@kaleida.com
Mountain View, CA 94043                         AppleLink: ABE.M