What Will Become of the Dynasty? Brian Lewin The Hanada Dynasty – past or present? Rikishi of Old Joe Kuroda A look at a rikishi of yesteryear with Tenryu our man for August. Heya Peek John Gunning John attends a chanko session at Chiganoura Beya. Photo Bonanza For a glimpse at some of the sights you won't see on TV.     July Basho Review Lon Howard & John Gunning Lon gives us his Nagoya Basho summary and his take on upset of the tournament while John chips in with his ‘gem’ of the basho. Lower Division Rikishi Mikko Mattila takes a break and Eric Blair covers the lower divisions in his own ‘unique’ way. Aki Basho Forecast Pierre Wohlleben & Mark Buckton Pierre predicts the Aki Basho banzuke while Mark previews the ones to watch next time out. Sumo 101 Barbara Ann Klein Gyoji goings on and several things you never knew about the ones officiating. Kimarite Focus Mikko Mattila Mikko walks us through his 2 chosen kimarite. Minusha John McTague John's unique view of news from outside the dohyo. Boletín de Sumo en Español Eduardo de Paz Gútiez An article on sumo’s very first fan mag – Boletin de Sumo en Espanol Online Gaming Jezz Sterling Hear from the founder of Bench Sumo of one of sumo's most popular games. Kokugi Connections Todd Lambert Todd’s focus on 3 of the most interesting online sumo sites today. Fan Debate Henka – good, bad or ugly? See what our debaters think. Let’s Hear From You What was it that made you a sumo fan – the Petros Zachos story. Ngozi on the Road Ngozi T. Robinson NTR visits an amasumo event in the north-east U.S. and tells us what it was like. Sumo Quiz The Quizmaster Answer the Qs and win yourself next basho's banzuke.			splendid as the ranks get higher, from simple wooden war fans, with perhaps some significant kanji applied, to more fabulously carved rarer woods, sometimes adorned with metal. The current tate gyoji, Kimura Shonosuke, has an exquisite gunbai made of a precious wood, intricately carved, called Kamakura-bori. Some gunbai, as in the case of Kimura Shonosuke’s, can be quite heavy. Each gyoji’s gunbai is adorned with tassels following the colors of the rosettes he wears on his garments. As for the name ‘gyoji’, in the concept of Zen, “gyo” means deeds, actions, or conduct; and “ji” means observance of precepts. So gyoji means "pure conduct and observance of precepts”. This is never more evident than in the tradition dictating that the tate gyoji must also wear a dagger to show readiness to take the ultimate responsibility and pay the ultimate price should they disgrace themselves on the dohyo in case of a misjudgment. Photographs by Barbara Ann Klein Home