Attention to Akeni Carolyn Todd SFM's newest addition to the writing staff takes an in-depth look at akeni, their history and production techniques Rikishi of Old Joe Kuroda Joe Kuroda slides former yokozuna Minanogawa under his SFM microscope Eric Evaluates Eric Blair Eric's wit scythes through the SML and makes clear his opinion of where the future lies for online sumo forums. Eternal Banzuke Phase II Lon Howard Stats, equations and mathematics all lead to a list of sumo's most prolific up and downers Matta-Henka: Another View Lon Howard A row that will never be fully decided but Lon gives his impressions on it all the same Heya Peek Mark Buckton Mihogaseki, former home of Estonian sekitori Baruto is toured (and peeked at) by SFM's Editor-in-Chief SFM Interview Mark Buckton Mark interviews shin-komusubi Kokkai Photo Bonanza See the Nagoya basho and Akeni photo bonanzas Nagoya Basho Summary Lon Howard Lon gives us his Nagoya basho summary, along with the henka sightings results Lower Division Rikishi Mikko Mattila Mikko Mattila casts his watchful eye over lower division goings on in makushita and below. Aki Ones to Watch Carolyn Todd Carolyn takes over the job of rikishi job performance prediction for SFM as she looks at those to keep an eye on come September Kimarite Focus Mikko Mattila Our man Mikko's latest trio of kimarite get thrown about the SFM literary dohyo Amateur Angles Howard Gilbert Howard returns with the second of his columns on the amateur sumo scene. Sumo Game SFM's very own quiz comes in for a bit of self scrutiny by our secretive man of questions. We'll call him 'X'. Sumo in Print Barbara Ann Klein SFM’s Editor reviews “The Little Yokozuna”, a book for “young” (and older) adults Kokugi Connections Todd Lambert Check out Todd's bimonthly focus on 3 of the WWW's best sumo sites Fan Debate Facilitator - Lon Howard Keri Sibley and Eduardo de Paz  ponder the concept of ‘to pay or not to pay’ makushita salaries SFM Cartoons Stephen Thompson Sit back and enjoy the offerings of one of sumo's premier artists Lets Hear From You What was it that made you a sumo fan? SFM’s own Todd Lambert details his path into sumofandom 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.

you would have a lot of rikishi that would have no incentive to go any higher than where they can get a paycheck every other month. It brings to mind professional sports in America, where an all-star player can make $10 million a year and be on a losing team.  The guy is set for life and he has done nothing but lose ball games his whole career.  One of the reasons that I like sumo is for its pay system.  It rewards performance.  In baseball, pay is based on potential.  I don’t want sumo to become like baseball.  You should not be rewarded for just going through the motions, which is what I think, might happen in sumo to some degree if salaries are introduced to the lower ranks.  Certainly, I agree with you that rikishi who truly love the sport will go to where their destiny takes them, but you would have a lot of “lunch meat” as well - big boys that have no real motivation. So maybe a combination of a

salary with incentives is what is really needed.  In that system there would be money for McDonald’s after each basho, but the rikishi will also get either instantly rewarded for good performance or instantly reminded as to why they should go back to the heya and train harder.  Maybe after a good basho the rikishi could go out for Kobe Beef instead of a Big Mac. LH:    Once again, SFM would like to thank both Eduardo and Keri for taking from their busy schedules to contribute to our effort to bring you in-depth insights into the world of ozumo.  Keri was actually on vacation for most of this time so his level of dedication is most evident.  This is the second consecutive Fan Debate in which the two participants, though advocating on opposite sides of the issue, appear to have moved their positions closer together as the Debate progressed.  This is not a bad thing because it shows that sensible ideas are always welcome

among sensible people, and that listening carefully is just as important as arguing with passion.  Since all of our Debate themes lately have centered on ideas that have been  proposed as solutions to sumo’s declining popularity within Japan, it’s striking how many times during these Debates that ideas from one Debate show up later in a discussion on a separate topic.  As always, if you have comments on anything you see here in the Debates, please contact us at fan_liaison_director@sumofanmag.com.  We would especially like to hear any suggestions you have for future discussions, and also what positions you would be willing to advocate.  Of course we can’t promise that each and every request will be fulfilled, but we do promise that all of your suggestions will be thoughtfully considered.     Home