Re: (Q) Yobidashi-what?

[Masumi Abe <abe@accesscom.com>]

Yobodashi is the callers and sweepers who aren't allowed
to be on the dohyo during the match. Only time they use
their voices on the dohyo is when they call the shikona of
the two rikishi of the next bout, and the side (East or West)
they belong.

The people you mentioned are called "gyoji" and they are
the referees. There are two kinds of callings they use
during the bouts. When the two rikishi are actively pursuing
the match, they call "nokotta, nokotta....". This means the
match is not over yet. And when the two rikishi are not
active and seem waiting something to happen, they call
"hakki yoi" or sometimes sound like "hakke yoi". There are
two major and different interpretation of these words, 
but the overwelming majority of sumo scholar believe
that "hakki yoi" was originally "hakki yoyo" and means
"push the energy level up". The minority interpretation
is that "hakke yoi" means "you have a good luck".

-Masumiriki

kudonogame wrote:
> 
> This must be a frequently asked question: sorry.
> 
> The yells of the yobidashi during a bout sure add to the general excitement.
> In fact I found the sound so compelling, I just had to reproduce it in the
> morning shower for a while, along with selected shikona (my roommates were
> just thrilled :)).
> 
> But what is being shouted and what for?
> (Is it no(na?)katte-nokatte-nokatte? Does it mean STAY!-STAY!-STAY!?)
> 
> Could someone please send me a FAQ?
> 
> BTW, below address is in the Netherlands.
> 
> ==============================================================================
> Faculteit der Rechtsgeleerdheid
> De Boelelaan 1105
> 1081 HV  Amsterdam
> Nederland
> ==============================================================================

-- 
Masumi Abe: abe@accesscom.com, abe@sentius.com, MasumiAbe@aol.com
Palo Alto, CA 94306 -- California/SFBayArea/SiliconVally/PaloAlto
URL:<http://www.accesscom.com/~abe/> --------- under construction
JUSTIN:<http://www.dosanko.co.jp/spoton/abe/> ----- only Japanese
Sentius:<http://www.sentius.com/> --- Sentius Read!: a new wisdom