Year: 2024

Banzuke Scenarios, Day 14

lksumo Aki Basho 2022

Here’s what to watch for to add some extra spice to Day 15 bouts.

Sanyaku

S1w Daieisho (8-6) will keep his rank. S1e Kirishima (6-8) will lose his and must beat Onosato tomorrow to limit his drop to Komusubi. K1e Wakamotoharu (9-5) should take over the vacant Sekiwake slot. One Komusubi spot has been opened by K1w Shodai (4-10). A loss by Kirishima would open a second, in which case we’ll have M3e Abi (11-3) and M2e Wakatakakage (10-4) at Komusubi, with only their order riding on tomorrow’s results. If Kirishima wins, and Abi ends with a better record than WTK, Abi takes the open spot, while WTK could be considered for an extra one, especially with 11 win. If they end up tied with 11 wins, WTK gets the open slot, and Abi could be considered for an extra one, though his rank would give him a somewhat lower chance.

Makuuchi <-> Juryo

Bushozan and Shishi are guaranteed to go down. Asakoryu could conceivably save himself with a win, but only if Ryuden and all Juryo promotion candidates who have not yet clinched promotion lose. Ryuden could stay with a win, but again only if all the promotion candidates lose. Sadanoumi and Tokihayate each need a Day 15 win for definite safety. Kinbozan and Kitanowaka are assured of quick returns to the top division. Hakuoho has a promotable record, but could still conceivably miss out if he loses tomorrow and Tokihayate, Sadanoumi, Kagayaki, and Tamashoho all win. A minimum of three exchanges is assured, and we could see as many as six if Tokihayate and Sadanoumi lose and Kagayaki, Tamashoho, and Tsurugisho all win.

Juryo <-> Makushita

Chiyomaru and Onosho will drop out of the sekitori ranks, to be replaced by Hatsuyama and Kiryuko. It is conceivable that losses by Daishoho and (less likely) Nabatame could bring up Kotokuzan and (less likely) Akua to replace them. I think Nabatame stays even with a loss, whereas Daishoho with a loss vs. Kotokuzan would be a toss-up.

Yusho Prizes: The Herend Teacup

Andy yusho ceremony , , ,

Senshuraku is upon us and tonight we will see one of our favorite gladiators win the Championship and hoist the Emperor’s Cup. But as fans of sumo know, the Emperor’s Cup is only the tip of the iceberg, the start of a rather lengthy and fascinating procession of trophies and gifts from various sponsors around Japan, and around the globe.

One of the trophies is a massive, porcelain teacup presented by the Hungarian Embassy, called the Hungarian-Japanese Friendship Cup. László Szesztay, Commercial Director of the Herend Porcelain Manufactory in the town of Herend, Hungary was very kind to sit with me (via Zoom) and tell me more about Herend Porcelain and the infamous teacup.

Many fans will remember that the trophy was originally a large vase, nearly 4 ft tall and 82 pounds. Sponsoring a yusho prize was the idea of Suzuki Takao, official importer of Herend porcelain in Japan. He had been importing Herend products since the 1970s and they have been sponsoring the yusho prize in conjunction with the Hungarian Embassy since 1986.

Suzuki’s son, Daisuke, runs the import business now and he came up with the idea of the sumo-sized teacup that we will see tonight, and which replaced the vase in 2019. The trophy itself remains there with the Sumo Kyokai but the wrestler is awarded with a tea set. They are able to pick from about 20 patterns. I presume Hakuho has them all, twice. The dude probably enjoys tea on a different set each day for a whole month. (In reality, he has probably provided them as gifts to tanimachi, or supporters/patrons.)

Each piece of porcelain is hand-painted by Herend artisans. They use the finest clay, feldspar, and quartz, quarried from around Europe. While pottery is fired at 700 to 800 degrees, porcelain is fired at 1400 degrees. The bisque is then glazed and painted. There’s a great video from their website, so I’ve embedded it here.

In 1986, the Herend Porcelain Manufactory was owned by the State. After the Fall of Communism, the state sold off 75% of the company to the workers. So now, the workers collectively own 75% of the company but the state has retained a 25% stake. Big decisions are made at the annual meeting with the worker-owners voting on the issues. Day-to-day affairs are obviously handled by management. The town of Herend is quite the company town and the Herend Porcelain Manufactory is the largest employer.

There is a museum and you can tour the manufactory. Can you say, “Road Trip?” Tachiai is in the early phases of planning just such a trip. If you want to see how things are doing over in Herend, there’s a webcam. I love webcams. We need to bring back the webcam in formats that do not include peoples’ bedrooms. Just saying. Looks like it snowed there, too! It didn’t stick here but that was quite the surprise after several weeks of balmy 70s and 60s.

So, where can you get your own Herend teacup? In the US, Herend products are imported by a group based near DC but they have stores all over the country (via their Store Locator Map). Internationally, you can check out Herend Japan and the main Herend website here.

The big question though: who will be sipping tea in a brand new Herend teacup, Hoshoryu or Kotozakura?

Kyushu 2024, Day 14

Andy Kyushu 2024, Kyushu Basho ,

I have never rooted so hard for a soccer team in my life. NHK was broadcasting the Japanese League’s Cup Final before the start of sumo coverage. Vissel Kobe scored and took the 1-0 lead over some blue/black team. Thankfully, Kobe held on in a relatively clean game so sumo coverage could start on time. Oh, my word we were so close to being pre-empted by Extra Time. A shot by the blue team went just wide of the goal. He really should have scored. Thank God for Blue Team incompetence!

Kotoshoho is kyujo. Oho will earn the default win.

NHK videos for today are here. This time, I remembered! Juryo Part I and Part II; Makuuchi Part I and Part II.

Makuuchi Action

Kinbozan (11-3) defeated Tokihayate (6-8). Kinbozan dispatched Tokihayate very easily. Two shoves to send Tokihayate over the bales, earning a groan from the audience as Day 14 coverage opened with a bit of a damp squib. Oshidashi.

Hokutofuji (6-8) defeated Asakoryu (5-9). Hokutofuji charged ahead but Asakoryu grabbed Hokutofuji’s right arm and pulled him forward…but not out. Asakoryu was surprised that both men were able to stay in. The two re-engaged at the center of the ring. Hokutofuji’s hazuoshi was not as effective as Asakoryu’s shoves. Asakoryu drove Hokutofuji to the edge where Hokutofuji turned the tables with a slapdown. Hatakikomi.

Bushozan (2-8-4) defeated Tamawashi (8-6). Bushozan absorbed powerful thrusts from Tamawashi, chugged ahead and defeated the Iron Man. Where has this Bushozan been the whole tournament? Oshidashi.

Meisei (8-6) defeated Shonannoumi (8-6). Shonannoumi used more effective tsuppari today to drive Meisei to the edge. He tried a pull but Meisei was wise to Shonannoumi’s game and kept his balance. Meisei laid into Shonannoumi and drove him over the bales. Oshidashi.

Takerufuji (9-5) “defeated” Ichiyamamoto (7-7). Ichiyamamoto pulled and slapped the hard-charging Takerufuji down at the edge. Gunbai Takerufuji. No mono-ii. Video replay show Ichiyamamoto was robbed. Takerufuji’s hand touched while Ichiyamamoto was balanced on the bales. Perhaps a forward-moving sumo bias carried the day? Oshidashi.

Chiyoshoma (10-4) defeated Takarafuji (8-6). Henka-lite as Chiyoshoma leapt a little bit to his right…but not really far so he did not avoid Takarafuji’s charge entirely. Regardless, he reached over and locked in with a quick belt grip at the back of Takarafuji’s belt and wrangled Takarafuji down at the edge. Uwatenage.

Shishi (4-10) defeated Midorifuji (6-8). Midorifuji failed three katasukashi attempts. He then tried an uwatenage and pitched Shishi up on one leg. However, Shishi stayed up and countered with his own throw. While perched on one leg he pulled Midorifuji forward with his left arm firmly under Midorifuji’s armpit. Shishi needs to work on his oshi-zumo. He seemed very awkward and not very confident with that. Sukuinage.

Onokatsu (9-5) defeated Takayasu (8-6). Takayasu tried the same thing as Midorifuji. He put everything he had into an uwatenage but Onokatsu managed to hop around on one leg and resist the throw. As Takayasu dragged Onokatsu back across the ring, Onokatsu regained his balance and shoved Takayasu out. Oshidashi.

Nishikifuji (6-8) defeated Roga (6-8). Nishikifuji dug deep and muscled Roga over the bales in a straight-forward yotsu battle. Chants of “weight room” followed Roga down the hanamichi. Not really, but perhaps they should have. He was overpowered, plain-and-simple. Yorikiri.

Ryuden (4-10) defeated Endo (6-8). Ryuden jumped as Endo slow-rolled his tachiai. Matta. Endo tried to thrust Ryden toward the bales but Ryuden was too strong and remained at the center. Endo then pulled but Ryuden pursued well and kept his balance as he forced Endo out. Yorikiri.

Nishikigi (5-9) defeated Sadanoumi (4-10). Sadanoumi jumped early but no matta was called. Nishikigi didn’t mind, though, as he spun quickly on his heel and heaved Sadanoumi over. Shitatenage.

Halftime

Tobizaru (8-6) defeated Mitakeumi (7-7). Tobizaru easily got in behind Mitakeumi and walked him over the edge from behind. That’s how you gingerly dispatch senior citizens. Well done, Tobizaru. Well done. Okuridashi.

Abi (11-3) defeated Atamifuji (7-7). Abi-zumo blasted Atamifuji clear of the fighting surface. Abi certainly ate his Wheaties. Atamifuji landed in a heap under the black tassel. Oshitaoshi.

Wakatakakage (10-4) defeated Ura (5-9). Wakatakakage controlled this bout. He tried a pull but Ura stayed on his feet. Then Wakatakakage buckled down and drove Ura across the ring and over the bales with powerful thrusts. Ura bowled over another senior citizen, this one was in the crowd rather than on the dohyo. Poor dude already had a band aid over his left eye. Seemed to take being tackled by Ura in stride. Oshidashi.

Oho (5-9) default win over Kotoshoho (3-11)

Hiradoumi (3-11) defeated Oshoma (3-11). Hiradoumi was over eager, matta. Hiradoumi battered Oshoma and drove him over the bales. Tsukidashi.

Sanyaku

Wakamotoharu (9-5) defeated Gonoyama (10-4). Gonoyama tried a quick pull but his opponent was ready so he abandoned that plan before he reached the bales. Moving forward allowed Wakamotoharu to get a left-hand overarm grip. The two men settled into a grapple at the center of the ring. Gonoyama tried to keep WMH off with ottsuke but Wakamotoharu wore him down. When Wakamotoharu got his right hand inside, he was able to drive Gonoyama back and out. Yorikiri.

Churanoumi (4-10) stood while Shodai (4-10) slipped and fell in a heap at the center of the ring. Shodai tried to shuffle right but his foot slid across the dohyo and he went down. Talk about a damp squip. The, “I fell on my butt” losing technique. A badge of honor; Wear it with pride, Shodai. I get the feeling they use the “Koshi” instead of the kanji for “Shiri” in the way that one uses the term, “hip” or “lower back” instead of “ass” in polite company. Koshikudake.

Daieisho (8-6) defeated Takanosho (10-4). Daieisho almost casually thrust Takanosho to the side. Tsukiotoshi.

Kotozakura (13-1) defeated Onosato (8-6). Onosato drove forward but at the edge, Kotozakura suddenly twisted and yanked Onosato over. Onosato stayed on his feet but was driven over the bales. Uwatenage.

Hoshoryu (13-1) dominated Kirishima (6-8). Hoshoryu got a double-inside grip, hefted Kirishima up like a child and plopped him down at the edge. This was probably a tad less embarrassing for Kirishima than when he was yeeted by Terunofuji. A tad. Tsuridashi.

Wrap-up

There will be no “Ozeki kachi-koshi” for Onosato as he falls to 8-6. The best he can do is 9-6 tomorrow. That would tie his worst result in his short career. At least he has his kachi-koshi, though. Kirishima earned his make-koshi with this humbling loss today.

So, it all comes down to the musubi-no-ichiban on Senshuraku. Hoshoryu and Kotozakura level with one loss. I’m hyped! Even Juryo has a good yusho race going. Kinbozan took the lead today over Tsurugisho, Aonishiki, and Tochitaikai. The Kyokai have yet to announce the bouts for the Juryo division. It will be interesting if they set Kinbozan up with Aonishiki or Tochitaikai. He’s already lost to Tsurugisho but Tsurugisho has dropped three straight.

Banzuke Scenarios, Day 13

lksumo Aki Basho 2022

Sanyaku

The title race has been narrowed to our top two Ozeki, Kotozakura and Hoshoryu, both 12-1. They will face off on Sunday with the yusho on the line. The champion will be on a Yokozuna run in January; the runner-up might be as well, especially if he reaches 13 wins. Sekiwake Daieisho moved to 7-6, guaranteeing him a place in the named ranks. Fellow Sekiwake Kirishima fell to 6-7; he must win out to retain his rank, and needs one more win to limit his drop to Komusubi. East Komusubi Wakamotoharu (8-5) has defended his rank and is in pole position for a Sekiwake slot if one of the incumbents falters. His West counterpart, Shodai, is already make-koshi and will drop back into the maegashira ranks. Abi currently leads the race for the open slot, with Wakatakakage not far behind and Takanosho still in the running.

Makuuchi <-> Juryo

We now have four rikishi with demotable records in the top division: Bushozan, Shishi, Asakoryu, and Ryuden. The trio of Nishikifuji, Sadanoumi, and Tokihayate still needs a win apiece for mathematical safety, but they’re probably okay given the thin ranks of promotion candidates. Kinbozan and Kitanowaka are assured of quick returns to the top division. Hakuoho and Tsurugisho can join them in Makuuchi with one more win apiece, while Kagayaki and Tamashoho need to win out and hope for favorable results elsewhere.

Juryo <-> Makushita

No change from yesterday. Chiyomaru and Onosho will drop out of the sekitori ranks, to be replaced by Hatsuyama and Kiryuko. Additional exchanges are possible but unlikely, especially given how the Day 14 bouts have been set up.