books about sumo

[Sabine Adolph <sabad@zedat.fu-berlin.de>]

WARNING: THIS MESSAGE IS VERY IMPORTANT FOR ME BUT ALSO VEEERRRYYY LONG!!!

Hallo list members,

did I already introduce myself, apart from my "ml-shikona: zabinishiki" ?!?

I'm studying Japanology and political economics at "Free University of
Berlin" in Germany. At present I'm on the way to write my examination paper
(master of arts) about the organization of Sumo in Japan, for example about
those questions like "How does the Nihon Sumo Kyokai work?", "What's the
toshiyori system?", "How much does a rikishi earn?" and so on.

Therefore I need informations. But ordering sumo-books in Berlin's
bookstores is time-consuming, often not successful and japanese books are
absolutely not available. If someone can get sumo-related materials in
japanese (not that long ago there were some mails concerning a publication
about Wakanohana) or can tell me a bookstore, where I can get such books and
which informs me about new publications, please let me know.

Furthermore, if anybody knows something about the following (or other)
books, especially concerning my questions, let me know please. I found the
titles by keyword-search in the amazon.com book section (keyword: "sumo")
and I asked them before but they couldn't give me detailed answers.

1) If possible, give me please further informations about the following
books, especially about the author:

        * Sumo: Paperback / Published 1989 (Special Order) / Charles E. Tuttle
                ISBN: 0804816158
        * Grand Sumo: Paperback / Published 1993 (Special Order)
                ISBN: 0834802260
        * Some Sumo: Published 1987 / ASIN: 9998880874

2) Could the above mentioned book "Grand Sumo" be identical with the following
title? If not, what's the difference?

        * Grand Sumo: The Living Sport and Tradition:
                Lora Sharnoff / Paperback / Published 1993 / ISBN: 083480283X

3) Could the above mentioned book "Some Sumo" be identical with the following
title? If not, what's the difference?

        * Some Sumo: Thurman / Published 1987 / ASIN: 1550210084

4) Is there a difference between the following two titles or is one only an
update?

        * Sumo: A Pocket Guide
                Walter Long / Published 1989 / ASIN: 0804815941
        * Sumo: A Pocket Guide
                David Shapiro (Editor) / Published 1995 / ASIN: 0804820147

5) Is there a difference between the following two titles or is one only an
update?

        * Sumo Showdown: The Hawaiian Challenge
                Philip Sandoz / Hardcover / Published 1993 / ISBN: 0804818959
        * Sumo Showdown: The Hawaiian Challenge
                David Shapiro / Paperback / Published 1998 / ISBN: 0804820082

6) Could the following two titles be identical? If not, what's the difference?

        * Sumo: Andy Adams / ASIN: 0831779977
        * Sumo: Andy Adams / Published 1989 / ASIN: 0600563561

7) Could the following two titles be identical? If not, what's the difference?

        * Sumo: From Rite to Sport
                Patricia Lee Cuyler / Published 1980 / ASIN: 0834801450
        * Sumo from Rite to Sport
                Patricia Lee Cuyler / Published 1940 / ASIN: 0834802031

8) Could the following two titles be identical? If not, what's the difference?

        * Sumo the Sport and the Tradition
                J.A. Sargeant / Published 1959 / ASIN: 0804805563
        * Sumo: The Sport and the Tradition
                J.A. Sergeant / Published 1959 / ASIN: 0804810842


At least, some time ago, I've heard something about a book,
* published by former rikishi Kyokudôzan, I think in 1997/98;
* and one published by former ohnaruto oyakata before he mysteriously died,
I   think in 1996.
Does somebody know, where I can get these books, how much do they cost,
what's the title, ISBN-number ... ???

O.K. I've tried your patience, SORRY!!!

I would be thankful for every suggestion.     

Zabinishiki; looking for Sumô-News always and everywhere
********************************************************
Sabine Adolph/sabad@zedat.fu-berlin.de