Hello all, it’s Bruce here, warming up to bring you daily coverage of the 2023 Aki basho. There are a lot of topics to watch during this tournament, but I think the biggest news to me is that Yokozuna Terunofuji will be kyujo. This is not a surprise given the state of his knees, but he has only complete a single tournament in the past year. Granted the finish was a 14-1 thundering yusho. But I would expect we are closer to the time when he will step down as Yokozuna than the start of his reign. In some ways that’s going to be sad, but he’s really fought very well in the 2 years since he took the rope.
We also have the debut of shin-Ozeki Hoshoryu, who was promoted following his 12-3 yusho in Nagoya. Readers know I like his sumo but wish he would display more hinkaku, though many have taken vocal exception to my writing about it (more on that further down the post). Truth be told, I want the guy to be a bit more sure of himself. That means you should know that you are one of the best, and act with self assurance and confidence. You don’t need to act like a punk, and frankly displays of that sort would keep you from getting the rope should your sumo ever warrant it. The NSK had enough of that from your uncle, and I am sure they have explained that to you and your oyakata.
After sitting out Nagoya with injury, the longest surviving Ozeki, Takakeisho, returns to clear kadoban. This is his second kadoban this year, and with luck he will get at least 8 wins. In January I predicted that the NSK may regret not giving him the rope following Hatsu, and I worry that prediction may come to pass, though many readers took vocal exception to my writing about it (more on that further down the post). He is the only Japanese Ozeki, and if you think that does not matter to Japanese fans, guess again. I have often written that Sumo is a Japanese sport made by Japanese people for Japanese people who are living in Japan. Everyone else (like us) are mostly welcome to come along for the ride, but we are a fraction side show for this, Japan’s national sport.
Likewise Kirishima is kandoban, having fallen into the modern Ozeki curse of securing the promotion and immediately suffering a performance limiting injury. The real question is my mind: Is the san’yaku weak enough to allow 2 Ozeki to clear kadoban in the same basho? Looking at the roster the warning signs are there, and I would name the primary obstacles to that plan Wakamotoharu and Kotonowaka. I can see both Takakeisho and Kirishima struggling in act 3 to piece together their 8. While it would be huge drama in front of the Tokyo crowd (and make for solid TV ratings on NHK), it will be brutal. Of course I am wondering about both of them being 7-7 on day 15 and facing an Ozeki Grand Darwin battle. The stuff of nightmares.
I would like to close this post with some personal news. At the conclusion of Tachiai’s coverage of Aki, I intend to retire. Possibly forever, at least for a time. The daily 5-6 hour burden to takes to put together the highlight and preview posts take their toll. When I have less than that time available, I tend to make mistakes. The readership has become more vocal as of late, and frankly, I don’t need the hassle of a few people who are willing to complain that the coverage that we give freely is not up their their standards or their tastes. While I give a defiant middle finger to the louts who have posted garbage in the comments section of our blog in the past several months, I offer my thanks to all of the solid readers and commenters here who share our love of sumo. I will miss you lot indeed.
But after the birth of my second child in January, and his ongoing health problems, there are not enough hours in a day to earn my income, take care of my family, and write about sumo. So let’s ride this last basho together, and hope for a glorious Aki tournament full of brilliant fights and exciting matches.
Onward!
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I’m so sorry to hear people have been rude and ungrateful in the comments. For my part I’ve enjoyed your highlights and previews immensely and I’m really sorry to hear you retire (although I completely understand ofc). You’ve done a terrific job and you shall have big thanks for your effort!
Dear Bruce,
I can’t even begin to tell you how sad I am at your retirement news. I completely understand, but I have the sadness of a student who will miss one of their Most Favorite Teachers. You and Andy have not only help me learn so much about what has become my Favorite Sport, but all of the nuances that include, the NSK; Sumo Culture; Japanese Culture; Japanese Language and Sumo Terminology, just to name a few!
It has always been clear to me that you vast knowledge and love of Sumo is first and foremost in all of your posts. You never felt the need to brag or act like a know-it-all! Thank you so much for always maintaining the Class Act of your blog. You made every post an enjoyable reading and learning experience and I truly wish you weren’t leaving! I hope you will return!
I wish nothing but the best for you and your family and thank you for being there for us all this time! Hat Tip and Many Respectful Bows To You Bruce!
Sincerely and Fondly,
Zee
Ah, we’ll miss you and your insightful comments. However, your family’s well-being comes first. Hoping for recovery and health for the little one.
Hey Buddy
Congratulations on your baby.
It’s okay if you want to retire
But I hope u r not quiting because of some idiots!
If u r in India ever buzz me.
I m in Mumbai
Sam
Dear Bruce,
It is truly a sad day when our Yokozuna of Sumo coverage decides to hang up his pen and retire. I’ve always enjoyed your coverage even when we were polar opposites on a give point. As for your famous Bruce-isms, they always made for fun reading and brought a certain level of the human element to things. F the louts!!!
If reading your posts takes some time I can well imagine that writing them, maintaining a job, and familiy obligations can be too much time out of your day. Never mind having any lifestyle fun or sleep.
Please be well and do at least meet up with us in the “Comments” section when you can.
All the best to you and your family!
PS: Bruce-isms are contagious, see my spelling of “family” in the second paragraph. :)
I learned all I ever needed about retirement from fellow Tarheel, Michael Jordan. (It doesn’t have to be once; no one’s cutting any topknots here.)
Hi Bruce I’m sorry to hear about your son’s health and to hear that you are stepping down.
For every vocal detractor there will be 100+ people who never comment but nevertheless love your coverage and matchless commentary.
I am among those who rarely comment, but I eagerly read each post, and I’m grateful for all you have taught us. My prayers are with your son and your family.
My six years of following sumo have been enlightened and entertained by your wonderful coverage. I agree wholeheartedly with Octofuji’s second sentence.
I seldom comment but have eagerly read your posts for some years now. The website is a spectacular achievement and an invaluable resource — I can only begin to imagine how demanding it has been. So thank you, and best wishes to you and your family.
If you can’t help but get salty about comments, stepping away is probably the best move. Not everyone is cut out for the crushing horribleness of the Internet.
I would observe that, perhaps, that we shouldn’t be asking people to endure the crushing horribleness of the Internet. Rather, we should be asking the Internet to stop being so horrible.
Long time lurker, very rare commenter – good luck Bruce and I hope everything goes well with your family.
As a last act of yr str84ward regime can u pardon my comment censor so they immediately post cuz y’all still h8ng on me 4 saying vegan truth b4
Your priorities are spot on. I will miss you very much and how much you have made me laugh through the years. Has you missing buttock regenerated yet? That was classic Bruce. Here’s to Andy’s comment about the Michael Jordan retirement.
Best wishes for your baby and your whole family.
Aw, Bruce–this is disappointing news for your English-speaking sumo fans who love and have come to rely on your commentary, blow-by-blow reportage, and analysis of every makuuchi bout; but good for you to take a kyujo for all good reasons. It’s not easy moving on –no matter the valid reasons for it. You’re a wonderful writer and editor (yes!) whose pen has color and flair– which makes it fun for us readers while we are being informed by your daily(2x a day during tournaments) submissions.
Your little boy and family are blessed to have such a great dad and husband.
Patricia Dobashi
Sorry to see you retire but I understand completely. I was faced with the same dilemma many years ago (a very ill newborn) as I approached military retirement age. I chose to retire and take care of my new baby and have never regretted it. Best wishes to you and your family.
I don’t always comment, but I have always appreciated your insights on the action of each basho. I wish you and yours the best, and I’ll see you on the flip-side.