Re: Married Rikishi

[abe@kaleida.com (Masumi Abe)]

At  3:34 PM 2/7/95 +0000, Stephen Allanson wrote:

>> Yugo wrote:

>>As of last basho, 19 of the 40 wrestlers in Makuuchi were married.  Their
>>names:
>>
>>14. Asahifuji*
>>* indicates children
>
>Yugo:  #14 says Asahifuji - Is this correct?  

It should be Kasugafuji.

>Also, I believe at least some of
>the marriages are arranged.  You still find some arranged marriages in modern
>Japan.  I think the upcoming marriage of Kotonowaka to Taiho's daughter may be
>such a case(???).  By the way, thanks for the info.

Arranged marriage, in some cases the couple never met before wedding, is
called "miai kekkon". But these days, I don't believe any of miai kekkon is
the same as described above. Miai is only one way to meet people. They
spend time together to get to know each other before they decide to get
married. If one of them don't like the other, it won't work. I'm sure there
are many such cases in other part of the world including industrialized
countries. Friends introduce friends, siblings introduce siblings. In
Japan, there are more chances. Parents, relatives and neighbors introduce
possible future spouse to a person.

I don't know i Kotonowaka is to marry to Taiho's daughter. I new that
Kotonowaka, who belongs to Sadogatake-beya had an o-miai with a daughter of
Sadogatake Oyakata, former Yokozuna Kotozakura. This o-miai news was
reported as the decision of future owner of Sadogatake-beya.

One of Taiho's daughter's husband is Takatoriki of Futagoyama-beya, and he
changed his name to Taiho's family name, Naya. This usually indicate that
Takatoriki is heir apparent of Taiho to take over Taiho-beya when Taiho
retires. Then the name of Taiho-beya will change into the toshiyori name of
Takatoriki.
>
>>
>>> Second: I think I am correct in saying that the rikishi live in their
>>> heya.  What about married rikishi?  Do they live elsewhere, or are
>>> provisions made within the heya for couples?
>>
>>As far as I know, married rikishi move out of the heya into their own
>>personal abode.  I can't imagine a married couple living in a heya.
>>-yugo
>>
>
>As far as the rikishi moving out of the heya after marriage, I believe they 
>move out when they can afford it.  

They move out when they can afford it and choose it.
Takanohana is a single and live by himself out of stable, across a hallway
from Wakanohana's living quarter in a condominium (a mansion in Japanese).

>I think this happens when the rikishi
>becomes a rikishi, i.e., when he gains Juryo status.  

This is not the case. Rikishi in Juryo and above is called Sekitori and
they are allowed to live in private room in each stable, if they have
enough rooms. If they don't, the older (or longer-time) sekitori will move
out to live out of stable.

>In the case of 
>Tomonohana, he moved into the heya when he quit teaching to become a sumo
>wrestler and after he started collecting a salary he moved back home with his
>wife and family.  

This is because he was already married before coming into the professional
sumo world. While rikishi is still "toriteki" or non-sekitori, it is more
convenient to live in stable. They need to get up early to practice before
cooking preparation, then they need to take care of sekitori or oyakata.
Also, they can't afford to live out of stable or marry without proper
income.

>There were several specials on Japanese TV about the married
>rikishi.  The married guys are a curiosity in Japan also I think, because they
>can be so big and I wonder how they can take care of themselves.  For instance
>who takes care of Konishiki at home?  Did his Kobito move with him?  

You must mean Tsukebito. Kobito means midget, although I agree that any
average-sized people are midgets campared to Konishiki and Akebono.

I don't think tsukeboto will move into sekitori's living quarter when a
sekitori move out. Tsukebito is not a servant for sekitori's private life.

>I'm sure
>his 100 pound wife can't take care of all his needs.  

??? Weight (:-)) a minute. I'm sure when she needs a help, she will ask for
a help, particularly when Konishiki gets injured and could not lift
himself.

>On the other end of the
>spectrum the more normal sized rikishi can probably lead an almost normal life
>out of the heya.

Takanohana is having a hard time cooking. He cooks meat, stir-fried
vegitables, and rely on dinners served at Wakanohana's house. Very similar
to the life of average 22-year-old Japanese in eating, actually. But, of
course he can afford better living condition than most of 22-year-old.

-Masumi
>
>Cheers,
>SteveA.