Re: Yaocho (defined for Goldie)

[John Szczepanski <johnski@gol.com>]

RJ Friedman wrote:

> Interesting that in all the discussions I've seen of Yaocho, no one
> has mentioned one of the most obvious reasons for match fixing -
> which has nothing to do with a consideration of what the rikishi's
> ultimate banzuki ranking will or won't be after the match. I.e.,
> underworld gambling money. And won/loss isn't the only thing that
> gets gambled on, either. Winning technique and length of time for the
> bout are two others, for example.

Please elaborate!!  I'd like to know more about the domestic gambling
scene.  Actually, since hearing about UK-based betting I've grown more
certain that yaocho exists, as the lure of Big Money would be too strong.
When gambling is considered, the case for yaocho's existence is very
compelling.

We've heard many reasons for sumo's drop in popularity , but what I hear
the most from my taxi drivers (the soul of Japan, don't you know) is that
people just don't trust it any more.  I could see the sport gaining back
some credibility and fans  if the the Kyokai would open the windows and let
some air in - admit what's happened and clean house & move forward.  But I
suspect they're in too deep.  As much as I love(d) Chiyonofuji, I suspect
that some deal was made ten years ago - the Kyokai knew that yaocho was
going on but turned a blind eye while records were set and the sport could
boast a shining white knight.

For the Hoshitori contest, Peroginishiki and stablemate Kesamaiasa employ
several 'systems' to guess the winners & losers.  One we call 'The Kabuki
Factor' which you could define as "a lot of sound & fury devoted to
something when all the players already know the outcome."  There's really
no system to this, but it's one additional factor to consider.  Whenever
we're discussing the pro's & con's of a particular rikishi and can't reach
any consensus, one of us invariably asks, "So what's the Kabuki Factor on
this guy?"  In other words, for the sake of drama and to appeal to what the
Kyokai would consider an 'orderly' event, who SHOULD win?

My two cents worth,

Peroginishiki