Re: Conditions for promotion

[abe@kaleida.com (Masumi Abe)]

There are no "rule" for an ozeki to be promoted to Yokozuna. They don't
have any right to claim that they are strong enough to be yokozuna. Winning
is not the only criterion to be promoted to yokozuna. Winning two
consecutive basho as an ozeki is only a guidance of strength criterion to
be asked to be examined to Yokozuna Shingi Iinkai by Sumo-Kyokai. 

Other criteria to be considered are character and attitude, such as
obligation to Sumo-Kyokai's rule and tradition, and respect of seniorities.
There are many things to consider including the quality of sumo. If the
ozeki has not master the basic sumo technic, such as Shiko and Suri-Ashi,
he does not gain any extra points toward promotion. Konishiki lost points
because of his Shiko, for example. Shiko is the way rikishi hold a leg and
a foot high, and pound it onto ground. When you raise your foot highest,
your both knees supposed to be stretched. Suri-Ashi is to keep the bottom
of your feet almost always touching the ground while you move any
direction.

If the ozeki gets "pass" by Yokozuna Shingi Iinkai, Yokozuna Shingi Iinkai
will recommend to Riji-kai (Bord of Directors) of Sumo Kyokai. Riji-kai
will respect the recommendation of Yokozuna Shingi Iinkai and examine the
issue. Once Rijikai approves the promotion, the promotion will be
officially and finally decided by Banzuke Hensei Kaigi (Ranking Arranging
Committee). Two oyakata will be respresenting Sumo Kyokai as a messenger to
deliver the great new to the newly promoted yokozuna and his oyakata at his
heya.

Ozeki with good record
Sumo Kyokai - (examination) -> Yokozuna Shingi Iinkai
Yokozuna Shingi Iinkai - (recommendation) -> Rijikai
Rijikai - (decision) -> Banzuke Hensei Kaigi
Banzuke Hensei Kaigi - (official promotion) 

Keren-zumo is not considered as yokozuna-zumo. "Keren" means something
similar to "show-off" or "tricky". They don't like the type of sumo
Mainoumi used to play until last couple of basho. Those are Keren-zumo.
Even if an ozeki is small, they want him to be a streight forward and srong
sumo rikishi against any other rikishi, to be promoted to yokozuna.
Risk-taking technique and tricky movements are not so preferred for being
promoted to yokozuna, such as Isamiashi, Hikiotoshi, Hatakikomi, Kekaeshi,
Tottari, Hikkake, Kubinage, Utchari, etc. Overpowering technique are better
kimarite, such as Oshidashi, Oshitaoshi, Yorikiri, Yoritaoshi, Tsukidashi,
Tsukitaoshi, Tsuridashi, Uwatenage, Shitatenage, Uwatedashinage,
Shitatedashinage, Sukuinage,  etc. He needs to take an initiatives of the
sumo matches.

The reason why Konishiki was not promoted to yokozuna is that his "respect
organization" was hurt when he commented that Sumo-Kyokai discriminate him,
and his "sumo attitude" when he commented that "sumo is a fight" and
staring opponents so long time that shows luck of "respect". As of winning
record, he was strong enough to be promoted to yokozuna at his peak.

The main reason why rikishi kept saying "I don't remember" right after the
match is that he does not want any one to think he is rude and lacks
respect to opponents. Talk too much is no good for rikishi. There are so
many really good sumo commentators who used to be tipical sumo rikishi who
could not comment anything about any sumo matches when he was active
rikishi. This behavior is for self protection. Konishiki's oyakata should
be blamed for not educating Konishiki properly.

Historically, great yokozuna Tamanishiki, a rival to the greatest yokozuna
Futabayama was not promoted to yokozuna even after winning three
consecutive basho. His attitude toward sumo practice were unprecedent. Sumo
experts says he practiced most and hardest ever. But his problem was that
he was a lone wolf. He was liked and respected by young rikishi but he he
did not pay attention to the authority of Dai-Nippon Sumo Kyokai. He loved
fights including street-fight and beat-up gangs. He was being close to
Yakuza. Later, he became yokozuna and lead Nishonoseki group, but died
while he was still yokozuna.

Even now, winning two consecutive basho is only a guidance for an
examination recommended by Sumo Kyokai to Yokozuna Shingi Iinkai (Yokozuna
Council). If the ozeki actually won two consecutive basho, all he needs is
simple majority decision by Yokozuna Shingikai. If the ozeki's record is
only "close enough" to the guidance, then he needs unanimous dicision. If
the ozeki could not get the "pass" by Yokozuna Shingi Iinkai, he needs to
try to convince these people with much better performance again.

Since the first year of Showa, only Futabayama, Yochinishiki, Taiho,
Kitanofuji, Kotozakura, Asahifuji and Akebono were promoted based on two
consecutive yusho.

The two basho records right before promotion since yokozuna Kitanoumi.
* y = yusho, d = yusho-doten (same record with winning champion)

                        before last     last            total
55 Kitanoumi    13-2 (y)        13-2 (d)         26-4
56 Wakanohana   13-2 (d)        14-1 (d)        27-3
57 Mienoumi     13-2            14-1 (d)        27-3
58 Chiyonofuji  13-2            14-1 (y)        27-3
59 Takanosato   13-2            14-1 (y)        27-3
60 Futahaguro   12-3            14-1 (d)        26-4
61 Hokutoumi    12-3 (y)        13-2            25-5
62 Ohnokuni     12-3            13-2            25-5
63 Asahifuji    14-1 (y)        14-1 (y)        28-2
64 Akebono      14-1 (y)        13-2 (y)        27-3

This suggests the following.
required        12-3            13-2            25-5
sure            13-2            14-1            27-3
You won't be promoted if you have 11-4 record in one of two basho.

If only the records from last two basho are considered, Musashimaru's
records are good enough to be considered yokozuna promotion.

Haru            Natsu           Nagoya
9-6             12-3            15-0

The main problem of Musashimaru was the record of Haru-basho, although
guidance mentioned only the records of last two basho prior to the
consideration. If he had 11-4 record in Haru-basho, he would have been
promoted to yokozuna after Nagoya-basho. If he records 13-2 or better in
Aki-basho, I predict he will be promoted to yokozuna after the basho.

-Masumi

At  9:29 AM 7/29/94 -0700, Seelye Martin wrote:
>Recent visitors from Japan tell me that conditions for promotion of Ozeki
>to Yokozuna is simply winning two consequetive basho.  Is this true?  If
>Musashimaru wins in September is he automatically made a yokozuna, or must
>he also satisfy Japanese spirit or soul criteria?
>Seelye Martin
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Masumi Abe                               阿部　加史（あべ　ますみ）
Kaleida Labs, Inc.                              Tel: (415) 966-0824
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