Re: More thoughts about Taka/Waka

["Peter Parbrook" <P.Parbrook@sheffield.ac.uk>]

> My question (Abe san, Doreen, others please) is: Can he assume that ichidai
> mantle while still a practising Yokozuna, or is it only bestowed on
> retirement.  Even if he could, would the Kyokai sanction a heya operating
> that way.   I can't really see that a yokozuna could possibly be his own
> oyazata, so I guess not, but it is intriguing to think about, and having
> been raised, I guess I should ask.

 From the points raised:

I do not know if Takanohana has yet been informally offered the 
opportunity of ichidai status.  Although 20 yusho appears to be the 
defacto standard, it also depends on many other factors, such as 
service to the association etc.  Given that Taka is still young and 
that he is presently involved in a very public (now) dispute of sorts 
his oyakata and other senior stable members, the association may wait 
and see before offering him this (if they offer it at all).  It also 
assumes Taka wants the status.  He may decide, like Chiyanofuji
that he prefers a "time-honoured" name.  However if Waka (as elder 
brother) gets the (more senior) Futa name, then taka may prefer an 
ichidai to say being Fujishima...

About 40 years ago or so, certain rikishi (yokozuna) were permitted 
to open a "dojo" as an active rikishi. (A dojo is effectively the 
same as a stable)  The most celebrated example was Futabayama.  I 
believe the rikishi who was featured in the all time greats section 
of Sumo world last time was allowed to take over a stable as an 
active rikishi after the his oyakata died suddenly, and he was only 
a short time off retirement.  However, I doubt this would be allowed 
today, and given Taka's present personal problems, which appear (to 
me) to be in part associated with his ability to handle the pressure 
of being the top yokozuna, I doubt it would be a good idea 
both for him and for sumo as a whole.

On Taka's problems I guess there are many reasons why he may resent 
his brother:
*Despite Waka being less consistent he is the same rank
*He is more popular with the media
*He is likely as elder brother to inherit the Futagoyama name
*He is an extremely good technical wrestler, but has come through the 
well known Futagoyama stable training regime
*For the all the above reasons it is likley that when they both have
stables Waka may be the more attractive for young aspiring rikishi 
and therefore may have the more successful oyakata career (this is 
certainly my prediction, if anybody remembers to call me on it in 
30-40 years time....!).

Add to this any perceived favouritism by their father, which may be a 
vicious circle at present, even if Futagoyama is trying to be even 
handed, then it is easy to see how the situation could get out of 
hand...

Cheers

Peter

_____________________________________________________

Dr. Peter J. Parbrook
Senior Lecturer
University of Sheffield
Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering
Sir Frederick Mappin Building 
Mappin Street
Sheffield
South Yorkshire
S1 3JD
U.K. 

Tel : +44-114-22-25366  
Fax : +44-114-272-6391

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