More Isegahama

[Moti Dichne]

I hope I'm not over-posting on this..

From the media, press view:

The Kyokai  held an extraordinary board meeting in Tokyo today and decided to demote former Yokozuna Terunofuji, now Isegahama Oyakata (34), by two ranks  and reduce his salary by 10% for three months for assaulting his deshi. He will remain as Shisho. The heya, which boasts the most sumo rikishis (32) and 7 sekitori among all 45 heya, avoided severe penalties such as closure. Maegashira Hakunofuji (22), who also displayed inappropriate conduct, received a stern warning from the chairman, and both parties apologized for the incident.

The outcome was one that lacked any apparent resolve. In December 2018, the Kyokai established regulations prohibiting violence and standards for punishment for violence. These regulations stipulated that if a Yokozuna committed an act of violence, the punishment would be "more severe than a recommendation for retirement," and the then-head of the Kyokai, Chairman Hakkaku (former Yokozuna Hokutoumi), stated that the punishment for Oyakata would "naturally be stricter than for active rikishi." However, this result was a punishment that could be described as "very lenient" for Isegahama. It was far removed from the slogan of "breaking away from violence," and the seriousness of the intention was not evident.

In an era where compliance is paramount, it's virtually impossible to find another company that its supervisor would resort to violence, such as "punching," to settle a mistake made by another employee. The supervisor who assigned the employee to the position also bears some responsibility. In this case, it could be said that the Oyakata made a mistake in judgment by having Hakunofuji, who had a history of getting drunk, attend a dinner with important supporters. Even if he had no choice but to be present, he could have simply said, "Don't drink." The Kyokai began advocating a break from violence in October 2017, following the violence committed by former Yokozuna Harumafuji against former Maegashira Takanoiwa. In December 2018, when various regulations were established, Takanoiwa himself became the perpetrator, committing violence against his tsukebito. Isegahama also witnessed former Harumafuji's violence firsthand in 2017, but still, history repeated itself.

Many sumo fans question the inconsistency in the punishments given to former Yokozuna Hakuhou and Miyagino Oyakata, whose heya was effectively closed due to violence from his disciples. While it's true that the violence wasn't habitual and that Hakuhou confessed, the punishment still lacks fairness. With Takanohana and Hakuhou, both Yokozunae with over 20 yushos each, having left the Kyokai after being part of the Kyokai after retirement, there's likely a desire to avoid losing the another Kyokai treasure—a "former Yokozuna"—by imposing overly harsh punishments. The closure of a heya with the most members out of 45 heyas, 32 rikishi, would have immeasurable consequences. However, the injustice of Isegahama Oyakata continuing to instruct his disciples as a shisho without a single day's change in status is unacceptable. If this continues unquestioned, the current peak of sumo's popularity could waver. [Former Sumo Correspondent, Bunta Takada]