Nagoya Nears
Eric Blair
As Nagoya nears, EB gets a head start on the pack by focussing on points of interest, past and present surrounding sumo's hottest basho

Rikishi of Old
Joe Kuroda
The 42nd yokozuna Kagamisato falls under the JK microscope

Heya Peek
Barbara Ann Klein
Kokonoe-beya and the Chiyo Boys

SFM Interview
Mark Buckton
SFM's Ed-in-Chief interviews Estonian up and comer Baruto

Sumo 101
Barbara Ann Klein
SFM's Editor looks at all the twists and turns involved in the tsunauchi-shiki and adds a photo bonanza to boot

Photo Bonanza
See the Natsu
Basho and Kokonoe-beya photo bonanzas

Natsu Basho Summary
Lon Howard
Lon gives us his Natsu Basho summary, along with the henka sightings results

Lower Division Rikishi
Mikko Mattila
Mikko Mattila lets you know what is going on down below the curtain

Nagoya Ones to Watch
Mark Buckton
MB's mixed bag of things to look out for in Nagoya

Kimarite Focus
Mikko Mattila
Our man Mikko takes us on a tour of several defensive oriented kimarite

Amateur Angles
Howard Gilbert
The first of our regular column pieces on the amateur sumo scene from a man who knows more than most

Sumo Game
Bruce Rae
For a look at his very own: PTYW (Pick The Yusho Winners)

Sumo in Print
Barbara Ann Klein
SFM's Editor reviews the newly published biography of Akebono, Gaijin Yokozuna – but sees it as more than just a biography

Kokugi Connections
Todd Lambert
Check out Todd's bimonthly focus on 3 of the WWW's best sumo sites around

Fan Debate
Facilitator – Lon Howard
Sumo author Mina Hall and long long time fan Jim Bitgood discuss how to make sumo more entertaining – if such a concept is even necessary

SFM Cartoons
Benny Loh & Stephen Thompson		  
Sit back and enjoy the offerings of sumo's premier artists

Let’s Hear From You
What was it that
made you a sumo fan? James Vath in rural Japan lets us in on his gateway to the sport

Readers’ Letters
See what our readers had to say since we last went out

Sumo Quiz
The Quizmaster
Answer the Qs and win yourself next basho’s banzuke.

  didn't know that I would be up against an expert. When Lon told me that I would be debating Mina Hall, my first thought was “I'm dead. How can I possibly compete with a respected author and expert on the subject?” There are so many gaps in my knowledge of sumo that I thought I would have to read Mina's book again. And I'd like to thank Lon for editing that makes it sound like I know what I'm talking about.

MH: I absolutely agree with Jim that we both are supporters of sumo and want it to survive and thrive. While I appreciate the artistic and traditional aspects of sumo, I also love the one-on-one competitive aspect of the sport. I follow a lot of team sports in the U.S., but I must admit that there is something special about the simplistic approach of sumo. There are no teammates, no equipment, no balls, no goals, no padding. It's sport in the purest sense, stripped down to the core. It is the oldest, most primitive of all contests – man against man in a somewhat violent test of strength and technique. Yet, it is inherently ritualistic and dignified, a unique quality among sports.

I'm also a childhood baseball card collector, and was
pleasantly surprised to see sumo cards on the shelves a few years ago. Collecting sport cards is an American tradition, but I was tickled to watch Japanese kids sorting through their stacks at the Kokugikan, chasing after rikishi for autographs. I also thought that this was a positive step and a successful campaign to marketing the wrestlers. Obviously, the more you can learn about the individual wrestlers, the more interesting it becomes to follow them throughout their careers. I don't think the bobblehead doll is far off either. They already sell wooden and clay dolls in Ryogoku, some more comical and cute while others could be considered serious works of art with uncanny resemblances to many rikishi.

Again, I'm not against some types of updates to sumo, as long as it doesn't affect the traditions that have been so painstakingly preserved and protected for hundreds of years. I hope the Japan Sumo Association will use common sense, but still continue to be selective in making changes to their sport. I want the sumo of yesterday to be the same sumo of tomorrow.

In closing, I'd like thank Lon for
patiently moderating, and to Jim for a fun and interesting debate. While Jim and I have some different views, I think they are actually more similar than dissimilar (are we too soft to be effective debaters?). We both love sumo and want it to be successful. I do think that the sumo association should embrace the world and open its doors to the many fans who are curiously observing from the outside. It is a fascinating world, one much too interesting to keep secluded.

Finally, while I appreciate Jim's kind words, and for supporting my book, by no means am I an expert on sumo. I'm just someone who happened to be living in Japan during an exciting time when three Hawaiian fellows were at the top of the banzuke. I'm simply a fan of the sport, just like you and everyone else reading this online magazine. Good timing and a lot of luck are the only credits to my credentials. Gotsuan desu!

LH: SFM would like to thank both Jim and Mina for carving out the time necessary to give this issue a fair hearing, as we know it's hard to keep something like this going while

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