Another sumo story
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Moti Dichne
Sep 13, 2025, 10:12:11 AM (10 days ago) Sep 13
to Sumo Newsletter2
2021 was marred by the onslaught of the Coronavirus. Tokyo, Kanagawa, Osaka, Saitama, and all of Japan were in trouble. They said that the best thing to do is avoid the three Cs, avoid unnecessary outings, and stay indoors, but there is a limit. At times like these, it's a good idea to take the plunge and change your mood*. This change of mood, this freshening of spirit, is a special skill of the rikishi. How do they do it? Well, let us introduce you to their unique ways of changing their mood.
*Note-Do NOT go out to a club at midnight, and DO NOT sneak out to meet your mistress when there's a curfew.. You are very easy to spot, wearing a hoodie and sunglasses notwithstanding.
With all due respect
Kyokai regulations prohibit rikishi from growing beards because they consider them unsightly, but prior to February 2019, many rikishi would grow or shave their beards to change their mood. For similar reasons, long nails and tattoos are also prohibited. However, there were some rikishi who went so far as to change moods by shaving their beard. On the 10th day of the Hatsu basho 2017, East Maegashira 5 Takekaze (now Oshiogawa Oyakata), who was doing well with a record of 6 wins and 3 losses up to that point, appeared with the beard he had been growing completely shaved off, despite having won the day before. Unsure of the reason or motivation behind this, he was asked, "Why?" and without hesitation he mentioned the name of his opponent that day, East Maegashira 8 Hokutofuji, a rising star 13 years his junior in only his second tournament since his debut. "He's a student Yokozuna like me. He's more than a decade younger than me, but I shaved my beard as a sign of respect. That's how a match starts – clean!" Takekaze remained active until he was 39 years old. The secret to this was humility, and the way he uses his energy in a different way. Of course, Takekaze's spirit won the match that day as well. After a fierce clash of heads, he won by hatakikomi, toying with the young Hokutofuji. It's sad that beards can no longer be used as a means to mix things up.
Sumo editorial Department- BBM Sports
*Note-Do NOT go out to a club at midnight, and DO NOT sneak out to meet your mistress when there's a curfew.. You are very easy to spot, wearing a hoodie and sunglasses notwithstanding.
With all due respect
Kyokai regulations prohibit rikishi from growing beards because they consider them unsightly, but prior to February 2019, many rikishi would grow or shave their beards to change their mood. For similar reasons, long nails and tattoos are also prohibited. However, there were some rikishi who went so far as to change moods by shaving their beard. On the 10th day of the Hatsu basho 2017, East Maegashira 5 Takekaze (now Oshiogawa Oyakata), who was doing well with a record of 6 wins and 3 losses up to that point, appeared with the beard he had been growing completely shaved off, despite having won the day before. Unsure of the reason or motivation behind this, he was asked, "Why?" and without hesitation he mentioned the name of his opponent that day, East Maegashira 8 Hokutofuji, a rising star 13 years his junior in only his second tournament since his debut. "He's a student Yokozuna like me. He's more than a decade younger than me, but I shaved my beard as a sign of respect. That's how a match starts – clean!" Takekaze remained active until he was 39 years old. The secret to this was humility, and the way he uses his energy in a different way. Of course, Takekaze's spirit won the match that day as well. After a fierce clash of heads, he won by hatakikomi, toying with the young Hokutofuji. It's sad that beards can no longer be used as a means to mix things up.
Sumo editorial Department- BBM Sports
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