[sumo] Fwd: [Sumo news] - Imperial Family visit today

[Jeff A]

Moti

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Moti Dichne <niramiai at gmail.com>
Date: Sun, Jan 18, 2026 at 5:14 PM
Subject: [Sumo news] - Imperial Family visit today
To: Sumo Newsletter2 <sumo-newsletter2 at googlegroups.com>

Riyo Ohta has a hanamichi report with Chairman Hakkaku. :-)


The second Imperial Sumo Basho of the Reiwa era was held today, with two
Yokozuna and two Ozeki defeated in an eventful turn of events. After the
day was over,  Chairman Hakkaku, Yokozuna Houshouryuu, Oonosato, Ozeki
Kotozakura, and Aonishiki held a discussion with the Imperial Family inside
the Ryogoku Kokugikan. After the discussion, Chairman Hakkaku held a press
conference. The full text of the press conference is as follows:

- It seems that all the Yokozuna and Ozeki collapsed in the Imperial Sumo
Tournament. What do you think about that?

-I don't know if there was pressure after all, but I think it was just that
the lower-ranking rikishis were getting too excited. In front of His
Majesty. The best thing is to fight good sumo. Winning and losing is
inevitable.

-Which rikishi impressed you the most in the second half?

- The rikishi who made the biggest impression on me in the second half of
the Makuuchi division was Yoshinofuji. He lost, but I understand what he
was trying to do. He ended up in a left-handed grip. That was also a
learning experience. His right hand didn't go in. It's rare for Aonishiki
to end with both hands in the air like that.

- Kirishima was good today.

-Aonishiki  was not his usual self. Kirishima  wanted to thrust to the
left,and he managed to change grips nicely.

-How about Houshouryuu? He went on the offensive a little too eagerly at
the edge of the dohyo.

-That can't be helped. He was on the attack. Oonosato's sumo was bad. His
hands weren't working..

- The second half of the basho. I'm worried about tomorrow and beyond..,

- He has two losses at  nakabi.  I think it's going to be from now on..
Considering what happened before the tournament. I think he probably
anticipated two losses or so.

-With the COVID-19 pandemic and everything, this is the first time the
Emperor has been present at sumo in six years, so what are your thoughts?

-They came because Japan is at peace, and  I'm really glad that there
haven't been any natural or man-made disasters or earthquakes or anything
like that. There was an earthquake two years ago. Sumo is possible because
we are living in peace, and sumo is about praying for that, and the
dohyo-iri has that same meaning. In that sense, when you asked me about the
meaning of the four pillars, I couldn't answer right away. There are blue,
green, and all sorts. I know they are east, west, north, and south. But
what do they mean? I know there are Gods, but I couldn't answer right away,
so I asked later and explained it here just now.

-It seemed like they were quite interested in what was going on..

. That's right. I tried to use polite language from the beginning, but I
stumbled. It was no good at all. I couldn't come up with the first words.
At first. Because I've never used polite language before. Then His Majesty
spoke to me. I did the best I could. I had never spoken the "high" language
before.

- (From the Imperial Household Agency Press Club) Sorry for bothering you
when you're tired. I think Aonishiki was also there during the meeting.
Would you tell us what Their Majesties and Princess Aiko said to him?

-They said, "Your Japanese is good despite your young age," right?

- Did they ask anything about Ukraine, or anything like that?

-Of course, they knew he was from Ukraine, so I think they were saying it
must be tough. That was about it. They also asked him how he managed to
learn the language, being so young. He said he just joined the heya and it
came naturally..  And then Houshouryuu started talking, I think.
Houshouryuu came from high school, and then I started talking, and it just
got longer and longer.

-Well, I'll wrap it up here. Thank you very much.

-- 

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-- 
Best regards,
Jeffrey Anderson

For of all sad words of tongue or pen,
The saddest are these:
It might have been.
- John Greenleaf Whittier
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