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.

Letters to the Editor

Sumo Fan Magazine in print. Our present format exists to better emulate formats of publications actually in print; however, we have recognized the desire of our readers to have a printable version. Therefore, I am pleased to tell you, and all of our other readers, that beginning with our next issue in October, we will be adding a “Printer-Friendly” button to select articles for both our English and French versions. As with all “click-to-print” media, the facility will apply only to text, not illustrations or photos. Once again, thank you for writing and thank you to all those readers who had expressed a similar concern to us. We are happy and excited to be able to tell you about this development. Barbara Ann Klein Editor Home

Each issue, we will feature a letter from one of our readers. The sender will receive a sumo-related prize of our choosing.

FEATURED LETTER This issue, we have decided to feature a letter from one of our French readers, who has expressed the collective voice of several readers concerning SFM in print. Mr. Payre wrote to us in his native French, a source of much pleasure to all of the staff at SFM, and, we are certain, due to the diligent efforts of our resident French translator, Denis Chaton. A huge “hoorah” to Denis for his fine translation work, which opened the door to SFM being a truly international publication.  As a token of our appreciation, Mr. Payre will receive an

authentic sumo souvenir from the Kokugikan, compliments of SFM. Mr. Payre wrote: "Excellent magazine, full of exciting articles. Unfortunately, it is impossible to print them the way they're put online." Dear Mr. Payre, Thank you very much for your comment on this subject. We have received a number of communications over the year-plus that we have been publishing, and have been trying to decide the best way to approach the matter of