Nagoya Nears
Eric Blair
As Nagoya nears, EB gets a head start on the pack by focussing on points of interest, past and present surrounding sumo's hottest basho

Rikishi of Old
Joe Kuroda
The 42nd yokozuna Kagamisato falls under the JK microscope

Heya Peek
Barbara Ann Klein
Kokonoe-beya and the Chiyo Boys

SFM Interview
Mark Buckton
SFM's Ed-in-Chief interviews Estonian up and comer Baruto

Sumo 101
Barbara Ann Klein
SFM's Editor looks at all the twists and turns involved in the tsunauchi-shiki and adds a photo bonanza to boot

Photo Bonanza
See the Natsu
Basho and Kokonoe-beya photo bonanzas

Natsu Basho Summary
Lon Howard
Lon gives us his Natsu Basho summary, along with the henka sightings results

Lower Division Rikishi
Mikko Mattila
Mikko Mattila lets you know what is going on down below the curtain

Nagoya Ones to Watch
Mark Buckton
MB's mixed bag of things to look out for in Nagoya

Kimarite Focus
Mikko Mattila
Our man Mikko takes us on a tour of several defensive oriented kimarite

Amateur Angles
Howard Gilbert
The first of our regular column pieces on the amateur sumo scene from a man who knows more than most

Sumo Game
Bruce Rae
For a look at his very own: PTYW (Pick The Yusho Winners)

Sumo in Print
Barbara Ann Klein
SFM's Editor reviews the newly published biography of Akebono, Gaijin Yokozuna – but sees it as more than just a biography

Kokugi Connections
Todd Lambert
Check out Todd's bimonthly focus on 3 of the WWW's best sumo sites around

Fan Debate
Facilitator – Lon Howard
Sumo author Mina Hall and long long time fan Jim Bitgood discuss how to make sumo more entertaining – if such a concept is even necessary

SFM Cartoons
Benny Loh & Stephen Thompson		  
Sit back and enjoy the offerings of sumo's premier artists

Let’s Hear From You
What was it that
made you a sumo fan? James Vath in rural Japan lets us in on his gateway to the sport

Readers’ Letters
See what our readers had to say since we last went out

Sumo Quiz
The Quizmaster
Answer the Qs and win yourself next basho’s banzuke.

 

James Vath


















emotion are just so amazing. Some people get very much into statistics and online sumo games and the like, but for me it's mainly about watching the matches, and without that there wouldn't be much left for me.

I came to Japan in January 2001. One Sunday morning, after my usual Saturday night on the town and late-night stumble back to my moldy 3dk apartment, I was sprawled on my floor dozing on and off sloth-like and, it must have been close to 6 p.m. when I turned on the TV to be roused by two sumo giants crashing into each other. It was the final scheduled bout of Natsu Basho 2001, where Musashimaru beat Takanohana to force a playoff
for the Yusho. I had no idea what was happening, but it was dramatic. It was clear that whatever was happening, it was of some considerable importance. They both went back to their dressing rooms and had their hair redone, rested a bit, drank some water, refocused and returned to the dohyo. Takanohana was injured which added to the drama. I had no idea at the time that he was a yokozuna and a national celebrity. Well, the playoff match finally happened and the injured Takanohana threw the massive Musashimaru to take the title, he then turned toward the camera with the fiercest imaginable expression on his face; furious, triumphant, burning, wounded. The look of a man having just fought for his life and won, his face twisted and bursting with emotion. I shall never forget it.

So, I came in at the end of the Takanohana era. After a 7 basho rest he came back and I was able to watch him for only one complete basho. He was never able to come back to full strength, although he did beat Asashoryu in their only match, much to the chagrin of Asashoryu. Musashimaru also started having injury problems. Clearly, I came in at the transition from the
Takanohana/Akebono/
Musashimaru era to the Asashoryu era. Out with the Polynesians, in with the Mongolians.

My interest grew slowly at first as I sought out information on this new thing. There was lots of new terminology to absorb, and the structure of the ranks, etc. to learn. I questioned students, read the newspaper, used the internet occasionally, although I didn't have a computer at the time, which was an impediment. Slowly, slowly I gained an understanding of the sumo world.

I remember first noticing Asashoryu, then at sekiwake. He fought so hard every bout. Such intense fighting spirit really stood out. I would go to the yakitori restaurant at the end of my block and, over yakitori and mugs of beer, gush about how Asashoryu had sent some guy flying into the seats that day. I learned the Japanese for ‘send flying’ specifically to be able to be able to relate this event accurately. I would have to listen to all the complaints about his bad manners and such, learning in the process words like ‘dignity’ in Japanese. Bad manners or not, and

Next