Gonna Miss You, Asashoryu
He may have been the most despised rikishi in Sumo, but there’s no denying he was the best. Well, still is the best since his retirement only came last week.
At 29, and as strong as ever, Asashoryu should not be retiring.
So what if he rubbed some Sumo purists the wrong way. So what if he openly defied the Sumo community’s wishes by indulging in a little fist-pumping action after tossing someone’s ass out of the ring.
No one can argue with the fact that Asashoryu brought an excitement to the dying sport that had not been seen in a long time.
But, in their usual stubborn way, Japanese traditionalists have sacrificed the future of something special because they couldn’t accept that the presence of something unorthodox was necessary for its survival.
Will there be regret on the part of these people when the popularity of Sumo drops off sharply in the coming years?
Nope. Not a bit.
Good bye, Asashoryu. You were on top as long as I’ve been in Japan, an icon and a symbol of the times for me.
An American living in Tokyo. Can be seen bounding through Shinjuku Station most mornings, teeth gnashing, eyes bulging, a cup of cheap coffee clenched in one fist and a satchel in the other. God help those who don't see him coming.
February 8th, 2010 at 1:38 pm
I too will miss him. He was and is still the BEST!
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February 8th, 2010 at 8:27 pm
Not despised by everyone, just the xenophobes in the sumo association and the Japanese press who did not want a foreigner to surpass the Japanese all-time records. Asashoryu is now third, and while #1, Taiho, was only half-Japanese, the great Yokozuna Asashoryu is wholly Mongolian, and did not take Japanese citizenship or marry a Japanese woman (ala Hakuho). A potential #1 Yokozuna cut down way before time. Where will they go now for out and out excitement on the dohyo and a champion with personality? I think nowhere. Long live the King of the Ring, asashoryu Yokozuna! You will be missed so much.
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Billy Reply:
February 9th, 2010 at 4:58 am
Bad-ass comment, Barbara Ann. Appreciate it.
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February 9th, 2010 at 2:09 pm
That’s right. Sorry. I should have capitalized “Asashoryu”.
Seriously, this is the feeling of a number of non-Japanese sumo fans. Not all, obviously, but a lot. I don’t know of any other rikishi that had been so hounded in the press, and I have been followibng sumo for a LOT of years - and I mean a LOT. I’ve also traveled with them on exhibitions outside of Japan and saw how the press would, for the most part, shoo away foreigners from photo ops - unless it suited their purposes. Even while whatching sumo at the formal venues in Japan, one can hear (if one understands Japanese) the derisive remarks about the foreign rikishi, but not as much as against the Mongolians.
Finally, Billy, I’m sorry if you think it’s a Bad-ass comment. Perhaps you sould express your own views rather than toss mine away with a two-word comment - three, if you count the hyphened word as two.
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Billy Reply:
February 10th, 2010 at 5:28 am
Sorry for the confusion, Barbara Ann. As Roaf said, it was a compliment for being knowledgeable and stating your opinion clearly and strongly.
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February 9th, 2010 at 3:08 pm
Er, Barbara Ann, “Bad-ass” means “cool”. That was a compliment to you!
I’m going to miss Asashoryu, too. I remember going to see sumo when he was still a “tiny” young ozeki.
My Canadian female friend hits the Roppongi hiphop clubs with him sometimes. He’s got a thing for blondes, apparently!
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February 10th, 2010 at 2:34 pm
Ooops! Sorry - my bad. I guess Come to think of it, I have both a coffee and a wine called “Bad Ass”. Thanks guys, for the clarification and the comments.
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