In a few hours, two representatives of the NSK will arrive at Chiganoura beya, wearing formal kimono, and formally inform Takakeisho of his promotion to Ozeki. He will bow, flanked by his oyakata and okami-san (stablemaster’s wife), and formally accept the honor.
Part of this formal acceptance speech is a phrase which is supposed to express the spirit in which the rikishi wants to undertake his new duty. This phrase is often a four-character set phrase (yojijukugo), but that’s not mandatory.
Sumo fans are speculating on the phrase Takakeisho will choose to use in his acceptance ceremony, and the Japanese media published all the phrases used by all Ozeki who were promoted in the Heisei era. I thought I’d share the list with Tachiai’s readers.
| Year | Ozeki | Phrase | Reading | Meaning |
| 1990 | Kirishima | 一生懸命 | isshōkenmei | With all my might |
| 1992 | Akebono | 名を汚さぬよう | na o yogosanu yō | Not to disgrace the title [of Ozeki] |
| 1993 | Takanohana | 不撓不屈 | futō-fukutsu | Indomitable, Unyielding |
| 1993 | Wakanohana | 一意専心 | ichiisenshin | Wholeheartedly |
| 1994 | Takanonami | 勇往邁進 | yūōmaishin | Push forward |
| 1994 | Musashimaru | 日本の心を持って | nippon no kokoro o motte | With a Japanese heart |
| 1999 | Chiyotaikai | 名を汚さぬよう | (See Akebono) | |
| 1999 | Dejima | 力のもののふを目指し | chikara no mononofu o mezashi | Aim to be a warrior of strength |
| 2000 | Musoyama | 正々堂々 | seisei-dōdō | Open and aboveboard |
| 2000 | Miyabiyama | 初心を忘れず | Shoshin o wasurezu | Always remember my initial resolve |
| 2000 | Kaio | 地位を汚さぬよう | chii o yogosanu yō | Not to disgrace the status [of ozeki] |
| 2001 | Tochiazuma | 名に恥じぬよう | na ni hajinu yō | Not to shame the title [of ozeki] |
| 2002 | Asashoryu | 一生懸命 | (See Kirishima) | |
| 2005 | Kotooshu | 名に恥じぬように | na ni hajinu yō ni | (See Tochiazuma) |
| 2006 | Hakuho | 全身全霊 | zenshin-zenrei | Body and Soul |
| 2007 | Kotomitsuki | 力戦奮闘 | rikisenfuntō | Fighting with all my might |
| 2008 | Harumafuji | 全身全霊 | (See Hakuho) | |
| 2010 | Baruto | 栄誉ある地位を汚さぬよう | eiyo aru chii wo yogosanu yō | Not to disgrace the honorable status [of ozeki] |
| 2011 | Kotoshogiku | 万理一空 | banri ikkū | Many principles under one sky |
| 2011 | Kisenosato | 名を汚さぬよう | (See Akebono) | |
| 2012 | Kakuryu | 喜んでもらえるような | yorokonde moraeru yōna | To be able to make people happy |
| 2014 | Goeido | 大和魂を貫いて | Yamato-damashi o tsuranuite | To carry on the Japanese spirit |
| 2015 | Terunofuji | 心技体の充実に努め | shin-gi-tai no jūjitsu ni tsutome | Work to bring heart, technique and body to the utmost |
| 2017 | Takayasu | 正々堂々 | (See Musoyama) | |
| 2018 | Tochinoshin | 力士の手本 | rikishi no tehon | A role model for rikishi |
Some of these are quite unique. Dejima’s “chikara no mononofu” is actually written as 力の士 – the kanji that make up the word “rikishi” – “a man/warrior/samurai of power”. It’s not usually pronounced “mononofu”.
Kotoshogiku’s phrase is a kind of Zen phrase, which famously appeared in the “Book of Five Rings” by Miyamoto Musashi. Its meaning is unclear and is supposed to be something to ponder as you prepare for a challenge.
Personally, I really like Kakuryu’s artless phrase. All he wants is to make people happy!
So, with a few hours to go, what kind of resolve or feeling do you think Takakeisho’s phrase will express?
Crush my enemies, see them driven before you and to hear the lamentations of their woman.
Sounds rather Biblical.
Conan the Barbarian :)
Probably drawing from the same source.
More Barbaric, actually. ;-p
I really wish I could edit these…it’s soul crushing to see a typo…for anyone who does not get my very classic reference…I give you the greatest thing ever https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OBGOQ7SsJrw
Channeling your inner Schwarzenegger?
I got an Amazon echo as a gift and once in a while I ask it “remind me to … in 30 minutes” and give that quote from Conan. It’s also a good oven timer. I like the phrase Shoshin o wasurezu – Always remember my initial resolve from Miyabiyama. This is a great list and I saved it for future reference. Maybe Ichinojo will say, “The open steppe, a fleet horse, falcon at my wrist”
There is a yojijukugo that fits Ichinojo like an oversized glove. 鯨飲馬食 – “geiin-bashoku”, “Drink like a whale, Eat like a horse”. 🐳🐴
How about “From tadpole to frog” or “From silkworm to butterfly”
From Hungry Hamster (© Jason Harris) to… Hungry Hamster with five or more tsukebito?
To not follow tocchinoshin
I am waiting for the day some cheeky new Ozeki will try some not-so-traditional yojijukugo, like 十人十色 (“Different strokes for different folks”), or 疑心暗鬼 (“suspicion will raise bogies”), or maybe 反面教師 (“good example of what not to do”). I think if Abi ever makes Ozeki we may be treated to one of these.
Or “Never be Hattorizakura”
“round around the world”? “Kame Hame Ha”? :D
Kakuryu words are very interesting. I thought the difference between Takanohana and Wakanohana was also pretty interesting.
Yes. Takanohana certainly lived up to his motto. Unbending, inflexible. As for his relationship with his brother – I also thought it was interesting that Wakanohana chose the Shiranui style when he became Yokozuna. I suspect he didn’t want to have his little brother teach him the dance.
If you are so rigid that you are unyielding, then you break eventually.
“Fear the tadpole!” My faves are Wakanohana and Hakuho. Short and sweet.
The “Yamato” and Japanese heart/spirit ones are unfortunate. I love the Kotoshogiku and Kakuryu ones, though. Inclusive and uplifting.
Curiously, the Japanese Heart one was uttered by Musashimaru. Perhaps that’s why he is the only American who survived in the sumo world.
I think Takakeisho’s will be most similar to Takanonami’s “Push Forward.” He already said in his post-Basho interview that he will remain focused on pushing and thrusting, rather than the mawashi. It’s just not in the man’s nature to grapple; he’s decisive and straightforward, earnest. So will his acceptance phrase be. But it probably won’t be four characters, because in both frame and style he is not beholden to the traditional expectations of sumo.
It’s also not in his arm length and hand size to grapple. He can barely reach around his own belly!
I was also thinking the same. Which one could be more fitting for him? I also like the one by Miyabiyama.
押し出し
Love Kakuryu’s! And Hakuho’s.
“Out with the old, in with the new”
Somewhat off-topic: does anyone know what the criteria were for ozeki demotion prior to the current system that started in 1969?