Re: Re[2]: Hinkaku

[Ivar Petersen <ivar@ms.com>]

On Dec 11, 13:36, Stephen Allanson wrote:
>       But Akebono was not even a rikishi at the time and he would not say a
>      nice word.  I hope his attitude has changed somewhat
>-- End of excerpt from Stephen Allanson

I had the fortunate opportunity to have lunch with Akebono at Asumaseki beya
couple of years ago.  I was there with a group of colleagues and my (then) 7
year old son.  For the visual effect we put Simon (my son) next to Akebono and
he was friendly and pleasant enough to everyone.  He didn't talk a lot but he
didn't seem any more aloof than any other sanyaku rikishi I've come across.

In some ways he is in a no-win situation: If he is all relaxed, jovial and
accesable the word would be that he is not acting the Yokuzuna, probably
because he is gaijin.  If he tries to act the role of yokuzuna (As I think he
is) he gets accused of being more Japanese than the Japanese in his
reservedness.

Bad language in groups where such language is not generally accepted or
expected is arrogant behaviour. If Akebono has displayed such behaviour I
regret it on his behalf, but I don't know that he has.

Akebono has always been my idol and Konishiki is up there too.  I have also
seen him socially a couple of times (Including once with (literally) his hair
down... now THAT was a sight!) and his rapport with his fans, particularly
children, is just awesome.  I believe Sumo has developed Konishiki a lot as a
human being and I think very few people hold an unfortunate and hastyly spoken
single remark against him.

Even though I can't stand the Hanada brothers I also do not think it's
particularly relevant to dig up their adultery and pre-marital sex affairs.
 These guys do a job and uphold a tradition on the dohyo and I'm sure that bad
language, pre-marital sex, adultery and all other vices have been going on
since the start of (sumo) time.  As long as they fight honorably and provide
the entertainment they are paid to provide we should keep out of their private
life. That, at least, is my opinion.

Regards,
--
	-Ivar-