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Sumo, the Internet and rikishi-fan relations |
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Chris Gould
A certain breed of sumo fans took a beating last time out at the hands of our very own EB. This time, CG looks at the increasingly close relationship fans share with their sumotori idols - but thinks it isn't as close as it at first appears.
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Rikishi of Old |
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Joe Kuroda
Yokozuna Haguroyama was a man often overlooked during his career. Sat in the shadows of Futabayama, the big man's own records, still unbroken are unknown by many. With JK poking around through his past thought, this is no longer the case.
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Don't spare the rod |
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Michiko Kodama
A new SFM writer gives us an interesting insight into the Japanese mentality on the NSK's recent dealings with MEXT - and the decision to remove the 'bamboo sword' from keikoba throughout Ozumo.
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The Ozeki |
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Lon Howard
What makes the difference between a great ozeki and an average ozeki? What role do high scores play when balanced against longevity? Lon takes a look in this first of a new series of pieces aiming at ranking the men who occupy the second rank of sumo.
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SFM Obituary - Lyall Watson |
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Chris Gould
Lyall Watson is a name many newer fans may not know, but without the gall and determination shown by Lyall - early on in sumo's broadcasting expansion west - odds are sumo would still be largely limited to the Japanese archipelago.
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Eric Evaluates |
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Eric Blair
EB frowns at the reaction to last months's column. He obviously hit a nerve with some fans - and has opted to wallow in the 'success'.
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Nagoya Basho Summary |
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Lon Howard
Lon runs us through the events at last month's basho in Nagoya - and as per usual includes a few of his own little observations and puns.
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Aki Basho - Ones To Watch |
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Alexander Herrmann
Aki, autumn in Japanese and the basho many rikishi 'relax' a tad - cooler for the real heavy lads than was Nagoya, and it is at the over 170kg sekitori Alex will look in this one.
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Heya Peek |
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Mark Buckton
Michinoku Beya. The closest heya to the Kokugikan but one of the smallest in Ozumo, the former Kirishima's place attracts so many fans that we thought we'd give it the once over.
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Heya Rivals |
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Mark Buckton
Rivalry is supposedly discouraged in sumo but is never too far away, bubbling below the surface - something MB continues to look at in this second in a run of pieces on an emerging rivalry developing in Kokonoe.
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Sumo Menko |
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Ryan Laughton
Ryan takes us on an interesting trip through some of the myths of menko collecting that apply in many fields - but keeps his focus on sumo.
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Amateur Angles |
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Howard Gilbert
International events, the run up to the current world championships and how sumo was an international sport well before the IFS had ever been formed. Nothing escapes HG and for fans of the ama game, these pages will truly delight.
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Kokugi Konnections |
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Todd Lambert
SFM's TL scours the WWW and introduces us to two more of the lesser known sumo sites out there - again à la Nihongo as this is truly where the gems lie. Time to dust off those dictionaries if you still haven't.
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I was there - I remember |
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Shunsuke Nakamura
Latest in a line of Japanese viewers - casual and passionate - of sumo and some of their early memories as we keep the spotlight on the locals.
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Morph Corner |
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Olivia Nagioff
Morphing part VIII - unique to SFM - and thanks to the imagination of our own Olivia Nagioff - some weird changing images of several of sumo's finest.
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Sumo Odds & Ends |
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SFM's interactive elements, as always including Henka Sightings and Elevator Rikishi - Lon and Ben do their stuff.
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Readers' Letters |
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See what our readers had to say since we last hit your screens.
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News Snippets!
Joe Kuroda
In the shadow of one of the greatest yokozuna of all time, Futabayama,
walked another yokozuna whose achievements are often overlooked by sumo fans.
... the longevity of Haguroyama's position atop the banzuke is known by very
few. In addition, Haguroyama's 15-0 makuuchi yusho at the age of 37 is today
a record that will likely never be broken...
Read more...
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Mark Buckton
One of the easiest heya to find in the Ryogoku area, and the closest to
the Kokugikan, Michinoku Beya is perhaps one of the most visited heya when
it comes to those out for a spot of asageiko viewing. This is particularly
the case with the foreign tourists who throng the area pre-basho.
Read more...
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Olivia Nagioff
What should Kotomitsuki wear for the Mummy Roadshow?
See more...
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Chris Gould
At first glance, innovations such as the Internet, with their focus on
spreading information to the common people, would seem rather a nightmare for
organisations which aspire to be secretive. The Japan Sumo Association (NSK),
for example, would be expected to despise ...
Read more...
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Chris Gould
For the thousands of Brits who, like me, came into contact with sumo through
the UK's Channel Four broadcasts of the late-1980s, controversial biologist Dr
Lyall Watson was unquestionably the 'voice of sumo'. For 15 weeks a year, his smooth
dulcet tones seemed to glide across the airwaves, gently enlightening viewers as
to the inner workings of a basho.
Read more...
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For all the sumo related news, views, tournament
coverage and historical analysis you will ever need -
in English, French, German and Spanish.
We welcome your comments so if you have
something to say please mail us at
editor@sumofanmag.com.
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You Could Be Advertising Here!
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Sumo Fan Magazine (SFM) logo and slogan are © Copyright 2005 by Sumo
Fan Magazine. Furthermore, all submissions and other content found on
this site are © Copyright 2005-2008 SFM and the writers, photographers and
artists who produced them, except where otherwise indicated. No part
may be reproduced in any form, without express written permission of
SFM.
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fx Service
(Foreign Exchange) |
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Editor-in-Chief and Creative Director – Japan
Mark Buckton
Staff Writers
Eric Blair
Howard Gilbert
Chris Gould
Lon Howard
Joe Kuroda
Todd Lambert
Ryan Laughton
Contributing Photographer
Carolyn Todd
SFM Interactive
Ben Doolan
Website System Admin & Hosting
Alisdair Davey
Magazine & Website Layout Designer
Olivia Nagioff
Cartoonists
Benny Loh
Stephen Thompson
Staff Translators
Denis Chaton – French
Alexander Herrmann – German
Eduardo de Paz – Spanish
SFM Interpreter
Enatsu Watanabe
SUMO ARTIST
Lynn Matsuoka
Asanowaka
was a classic looking figure in sumo, and briefly carried the sword
during Akebono's dohyo-iri. He was incredibly funny and would say some
things other rikishi wouldn't dare say. He was, of course, famous for
his froglike shikiri for which the Kyokai kept reprimanding him, the
crowd loved it! This ink jet print, ed. 100, 9.5 x 11 inches is signed
and numbered by the artist, available for $550. from the studio. Please
contact artist@aloha.net
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