Before diving into the action, I wanted to make note of a point that was brought up in the comments. In particular, I wanted to give credit to the source where I found the right answer. Betty had wondered how to address a sumo wrestler when you meet them and I had responded with the special honorific used for sumo wrestlers: ~関. Instead of using ~san or ~sama (~様) people use ~関.
I thought it was pronounced “seki” but David G. correctly pointed out that it’s ~zeki. I found it in one of my favorite sumo books in my library: “お相撲ことば.” I have posted a picture from the book here as photographic evidence. I don’t know why I thought it was ~seki. I heard Hayashiya Shozo say, “~zeki,” clear as day (multiple times) during tonight’s action.
I really like this book, in particular, because it makes generous use of furigana throughout and it gives a lot of explanations, especially if the term has a different meaning in day-to-day Japanese. This book is the source that I was reading for the term, “aikuchi,” when I wrote that, back in the day. I wrote this article on “He’s Got My Number,” because of it. I should probably update that dashboard sometime. I find it a helpful supplement in my Japanese language studies, though it’s clear that I sometimes forget what I read. Now that I’ve written this, hopefully I won’t forget it. Since I had totally forgotten about my “aikuchi” article, though, I wouldn’t be surprised if I do forget.
If you have found another source to corroborate, I’d like to give credit to it. I just couldn’t find the specifics online. Yes, it’s in the English Wikipedia entry on Japanese honorifics, but it’s unsourced. I don’t count Wikipedia itself as a source, though it’s a fantastic collection of sources. The articles that I found online which mentioned or explained the ~zeki honorific did not have the furigana. That’s not to say they aren’t out there, so if they are, let me know and I’ll source them, too. More sources, the better.
On to Day Ten Action
Kusano dispatched Daiseizan with a kotenage to move to 9-1. Shimanoumi woke up and beat Tohakuryu, so Kusano has a two-win lead over the field. Speaking of former Makuuchi wrestlers, Kagayaki and Nishikifuji are in trouble at 3-7. Takarafuji is not fairing much better at 4-6. None appear to be headed for a return to Makuuchi in July. Mitakeumi is scraping by at 5-5. If he can pick up three more wins, he’ll earn his spot back in the top division. It’s kind of funny that he’s been beating the guys he knows from Makuuchi and losing to the youngsters from Juryo, like Wakaikari. Okay, enough gabbing, Andy. Let’s get to it.
Your NHK videos are here: Juryo, Makuuchi Part I and Part II.
Makuuchi Action
Kotoshoho (4-1-5) defeated Tochitaikai (3-7). Kotoshoho twisted and pulled on Tochitaikai as both men fell out of the ring. Gunbai Kotoshoho. Mono-ii. The judges ruled, after watching the video, that both men fell at the same time so they wanted a rematch. In the rematch, Tochitaikai came close to a quick shitatenage but Kotoshoho kept his balance, worked his right hand inside and onto Tochitaikai’s belt, and then threw him in the center of the ring with his own Shitatenage.
Tokihayate (5-5) defeated Shonannoumi (3-7). Tokihayate grabbed Shonannoumi’s left arm and pulled him down at the edge to conclude a rather lively, back-and-forth bout. Kotenage.
Sadanoumi (7-3) defeated Tamashoho (4-6). Tamashoho pulled and slapped Sadanoumi down. However, he pulled straight back and ran out of real estate with his foot appearing to go over the bales. Ganbai Tamashoho. Mono-ii. After video review, the call was reversed and Sadanoumi was given the push out victory. Oshidashi.
Atamifuji (7-3) defeated Ryuden (4-6). Ryuden pulled Atamifuji but stopped short at the bales since Atamifuji didn’t go down. With all of the real estate behind him, Atamifuji executed his own pull and slapdown, forcing Ryuden down. Hatakikomi.
Takanosho (6-4) defeated Asakoryu (7-3). Takanosho used excellent footwork and strong tsuppari to push Asakoryu out. Tsukidashi.
Shishi (2-8) defeated Nishikigi (5-5). After a couple of false starts, the two finally got the bout started. Shishi hit Nishikigi with tsuppari to keep him off his belt. As Nishikigi advanced to pressure Shishi, Shishi worked his way inside and hugged Nishikigi. Then he twisted him down to the ground. Tsukiotoshi.
Onokatsu (6-4) defeated Kayo (4-6). Onokatsu grabbed Kayo’s mawashi with his lef-had over arm grip and steadily pressed Kayo back and over the edge. Yorikiri.
Roga (7-3) defeated Kinbozan (6-4). Kinbozan attacked with his powerful, Daieisho-like thrusts but Roga grabbed Kinbozan’s left arm and pulled him forward. When Kinbozan stumbled ahead, Roga came in behind and pushed him out. Okuridashi.
Churanoumi (2-8) defeated Endo (5-5). Churanoumi used effective tsuppari to force Endo to retreat and shoved him out. Oshidashi.
Oshoma (7-3) defeated Shodai (3-7). Oshoma held Shodai at bay with a nodowa, then pulled and got in behind Shodai to shove him out. Okuridashi.
Meisei (7-3) defeated Tobizaru (5-5). Meisei wrapped up Tobizaru and chugged forward, rushing Tobizaru out. Yorikiri.
Halftime
Midorifuji (1-9) defeated Chiyoshoma (2-8). Midorifuji sidestepped and pulled Chiyoshoma down for his first win of the basho. Tsukiotoshi.
Takerufuji (4-6) defeated Tamawashi (3-7). Takerufuji got his left arm inside and pressed forward, negating Tamawashi’s tsuppari and forcing Tamawashi out. Yorikiri.
Abi (6-4) defeated Wakamotoharu (4-6). Indigo Abi pulled hard and forced Wakamotoharu to stumble forward and out. Abi pivoted as he pulled to remain inside the ring, a lesson Tamashoho needs to learn. Hikiotoshi.
Gonoyama (3-7) defeated Oho (3-7). Oho pulled, allowing Gonoyama to slam into him with a brutal nodowa, forcing him to the edge. Oho then fell as he tried to evade Gonoyama’s pressure at the bales. Oshitaoshi.
Sanyaku
Hiradoumi (4-6) defeated Takayasu (2-8). Hard, satisfying tachiai here. Takayasu started with tsuppari. Hiradoumi pulled and Takayasu stumbled forward. Takayasu then pulled with Hiradoumi in pursuit but Takayasu ran out of room and ran off the dohyo. “Run Forrest, Run!” I still remember when I forced my family to watch, “Forrest Gump.” Most successful family meeting, ever. It was as if the veil was lifted on so many Americanisms. Tsukidashi.
Wakatakakage (8-2) defeated Aonishiki (8-2). Wakatakakage pivoted as he pulled on Aonishiki’s shoulder and Aonishiki fell to the clay. The crowd hooted and hollered in appreciation of the exciting brawl and Wakatakakage’s nice win. Katasukashi.
Daieisho (7-3) defeated Hakuoho (8-2). A few thrusts from Daieisho and Hakuoho glanced backward for a soft place to land. Kohei will work. Tsukidashi.
Onosato (10-0) defeated Ichiyamamoto (4-6). Onosato stood up Ichiyamamoto at the tachiai. Ichiyamamoto tried to slip out to the left but Onosato followed. Ichiyamamoto then backpedaled along the bales but Onosato pressed ahead with his tsuppari and put Ichiyamamoto out of the dohyo and hard on his butt. Oshi-ta-OUCHI!
Kirishima and a Big Damn Band-Aid (7-3) defeated Kotozakura (6-4). Kotozakura knew to protect against the morozashi at all costs. Kotozakura tried to pull on Kirishima’s arm but as he pulled, Kirishima pressed forward and forced the Ozeki out. I’m sorry but when I see that style of Band-Aid, I can only think of the pair of bandages that would show up on Tochinoshin’s butt cheeks. They looked a bit smaller there. Yorikiri.
Hoshoryu (8-2) defeated Ura (2-8). Hoshoryu tried for a quick slapdown. Ura escaped, briefly, because the Yokozuna was in hot pursuit and shoved Ura down at the edge. Okuridashi.
Wrap-up
Action has been ending pretty quickly of late, leaving a few minutes for the NHK coverage to show Akua’s bow-twirling ceremony. He’s been very popular, getting a big cheer from the audience and loud, “YOISHO!!” for his stomps. I wonder if more folks stay to watch since he had been in makuuchi.
Onosato now has breathing room in this yusho race. Onosato will fight Wakatakakage on Day Eleven. Both of the young hiramaku stars lost their sanyaku bouts today so the Ozeki has a two-bout lead over the field. His final four bouts should be, Kirishima, Daieisho, Kotozakura, and Hoshoryu.
Tomorrow, morale should improve because the beatings should continue. Aonishiki will face his first Ozeki, Kotozakura. Hakuoho will fight Hoshoryu in the musubi-no-ichiban. It will be Hakuoho’s first bout against a Yokozuna but he did fight (and lose to) Sekiwake Hoshoryu during Hakuoho’s breakout shinyumaku debut in Nagoya 2023.
If the upstarts win tomorrow, and particularly if Onosato loses, I would not be surprised at all if Aonishiki and Hakuoho find themselves fighting Onosato in place of one or both of the Sekiwake.
This has been a great tournament, unless you’re a Midorifuji or Takayasu fan. Okay, okay, I know we’re all Midorifuji and Takayasu fans, so their struggles have been a bit of a downer. Otherwise, this tournament has been great to watch. All eyes are now on Onosato. It’s his basho to lose but he churned through his rank-and-file competition with no problems. The sanyaku wrestlers have all displayed cracks in their defenses. Will he take advantage? Or will his own cracks become apparent as the action heats up? Dare I say, “zensho?”
