Tachiai Reader Andrew (no relation) asked a great question so I thought I would share. As I was writing, I figured more of you all are really here with the same question. Also, my answer was rather long-winded for the comment section.
Question:
So I’ve been curious since seeing the ads. You sumo diehards and mega fans who have been to real basho’s and tour events have found the show worthwhile attending? It’s billed as an introduction to the sport and I’ve seen some pretty mediocre reviews. I trust your opinions. What’s the skinny?
I must preface my response that I can only speak based on my experience at two events, both here in DC.
Response:
These Sumo+Sushi events are akin to a Jungyo event, with a bit of food, some booze, and…Konishiki. Konishiki seems to be really focused on spreading the word about and promoting sumo, expanding the fan base of the sport. Like you said, it’s a show. If you’re there for a full-blown fight-night, that’s not going to happen. If you want a lecture about the finer points of oshi-/tsuki- techniques, or a hand-on demonstration of putting on a mawashi, you will not get it. But, there are several reasons that I like to go.
Konishiki
The first point, and the prime point for me is that this event is not only sponsored by Konishiki, the man is there as your host. He’s one of the greatest sumo wrestlers, period. Certainly one of the great foreign wrestlers. His arrival in Makuuchi sent shockwaves through the division.
Commenters were debating The Great Tachiai Reforms of 1984, recently. To jog your memories, this reform was when the wrestlers were assembled at Kuramae Kokugikan and told that the Kyokai would be cracking down and enforcing the “both-hands-down” rule. In my research of the reforms, I found this great video on YouTube of an interview with Sadanoyama (at the time he was Dewanoumi-oyakata) where he tries to describe the rationale behind why they were enforcing the rule. They also show clips from the meeting. At 0:58 you see this young mug:
Konishiki. For folks who are getting into sumo for the first time or even if you have been into it for a while, it might be difficult to think of the 60-some year-old guy with multi-colored hair being The Machine that put the hurt on Chiyonofuji. To put it in his own words, “I was a monster.” But here he was…a maegashira at Aki 1984 when they implemented this pivotal reform that we’re still debating today. Frankly, I think he is the reason they implemented the reform at that time. He swept through that tournament, picking up two kinboshi and two special prizes on his way to a jun-yusho.
The man lived sumo and fought against many of the greats. There are not many opportunities to meet the man, or to ask him questions. Sumo+Sushi is one of those chances. I will have another post that goes into this in more depth, but I am still working on it.
Sumo-Related Event
Secondly, it’s great to have any sumo-related event to go to. Where else are you going to meet other people who share this rather unique interest? Justin (aka Hochiyama) and I are keen to sit and chat about sumo (among other things) over butter chicken. Give us some yakitori and sake and we will probably spend an hour debating that “hands-down” rule. We have talked about how we wish there was more detail but the show was a bit different each time and Konishiki’s personal account is definitely compelling.
In our neighborhood, we have access to concerts and plays and sports events and bars and pokemon tournament venues — all within a few minutes of our house — but sumo-related events are rare.
In The Ring
The first year, I treated myself for my birthday to the VIP experience to avoid waiting and lines. I also splurged for the “get-in-the-ring” option. Frankly, to this day I think I lucked out and got a unique experience with that. I’ve watched a dozen people hop up onto the dais and be subsequently ushered out or tipped over with white-glove service. My ass got thrown. It was freaking awesome and the only analog I have is the baby from the sitcom Dinosaurs (1990s) who would get hit or thrown somewhere and bounce back shouting, “Again!” Once I checked to make sure I hadn’t broken anything or pissed my pants, I realized that getting thrown through the air like that was crazier than any roller coaster I have ever been on. Period.
Anyway, I think management freaked out and were like, we can’t be killing people. Everyone else seems to get kid-gloves treatment. Regardless, I opted not to get into the ring last year. Tooyama was not there and I would have totally signed up to meet him again, even if it takes my record to 0-2. When they come back to DC, I will be getting back in the ring again. That’s for sure. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime chance to grapple with an actual sumo wrestler. In my humble opinion, it’s the highlight of the night.
Lessons Learned
As I’ve grown older, I have to say that for the most part, life and success is largely about managing expectations. I hope this post helps people level-set some of their expectations. If you do decide to go, you will hopefully have a great night out. Thanks to commenters like kukufuji, we know a third option: go to the event as staff. As an introvert, that’s not really going to be my first option but, paradoxically, it also feels like the kind of event that I need to bring some friends to…and friends who are game. If someone is not into it, it might put a damper on the whole evening.
Local experience seems to vary because the Sumo+Sushi management work with local production companies to get a venue and local restaurants/caterers for the food. Sometimes details are still unknown in the run-up to the event and that can be frustrating.
Takara 14 absolutely blew us away at our first event. Table-side Hand-made sushi was advertised for the VIP experience and they delivered. My wife and I are pretty picky about the quality and we were bowled over. They provided table service and excellent sushi, made-to-order. When we were finished with our courses, we got more of the options we liked. We were both quite full and happy that night. Sumo+Sushi got a different company to provide food last year and it was not anywhere near as good. It was pre-made and put into boats and we had to line up to pick up whatever edamame or maki rolls were still available.
What I Wish Were There
I think it would be awesome if you got your own mawashi as a part of the “get in the ring” experience. They probably won’t do it because people will buy the package and expect a free silk shimekomi when I’d be happy with an amateur canvas or lower-division cotton mawashi. But if we could get a mawashi, a demonstration of how to put one on would be rather engaging. (Even fully clothed!) The guys from one of the sumo clubs in NYC brought their own mawashi and got in the ring. They seemed to love the experience and they remarked (via DMs in Instagram) how they got pointers from Konishiki on how to do shiko and some of the exercises which really went beyond what I experienced.
Justin and I have both talked about how we wish there was more of a deep dive into sumo, rather than the introductory content that is provided. But not everyone will be game for a discussion of esoteric stuff or random trivia. It seems properly targeted as an intro to sumo as a good night out. If Hakuho or Ichinojo have better ideas, I’m all ears and I’m ready to buy my ticket. For the more “hands on” experience, some folks might like to go to their local martial arts venue and dish out kachiage but that has not appealed to me, yet. I kind of like having my original teeth. I’m proud that I’ve never broken a bone, aside from that time I cracked my ring finger playing golf. But seriously, we know the pros get next to zero help getting into the big wheelchair but I really expect much better here in the States, especially if I’m forking out money for a night out.
TL;DR
Konishiki is an expert guide and he brings an experienced crew. There are not a lot of chances for sumo-related entertainment, much less to actually meet people around you who like sumo. The food will be edible and the drinks will have alcohol, if you choose, but mileage may vary. You’re probably going to leave without injury, which is less certain if you’d rather show up at your local fight club.
