JAPAN: Japanese and international sumo champions offer holy matches and solemn rituals before Japan's controversial Yasukuni war shrine

Record ID: 464153

  • Title: JAPAN: Japanese and international sumo champions offer holy matches and solemn rituals before Japan's controversial Yasukuni war shrine
  • Date: 6th April 2008
  • Summary: (L!3) TOKYO, JAPAN (APRIL 4, 2008) (REUTERS) EXTERIOR OF YASUKUNI SHRINE
  • Embargoed: 21st April 2008 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Japan
  • Country: Japan
  • Topics: Lifestyle,Sports
  • Reuters ID: LVA31RPJINTOK2T30558R14B7RNC
  • Story Text: The Sumo wrestlers of Japan offered holy matches on Friday (April 4) to Japan's main war memorial -- Tokyo's Yasukuni shrine --- to honor the two-and-a-half-million "souls" of Japanese war dead enshrined there in an annual event which dates back to almost 130 years.
    About three thousands people gather around the specially erected arena in shrine to get a glimpse of their favorite sumo wrestlers, who is especially honored in Japan for its ancient and traditional origins.
    But the gods to whom Japan's ancient sport of sumo was offered as entertainment may be a little in a shock to see the fact that Japan's traditional sport is now mostly occupied by foreign nationals.
    Professional Sumo now has around 60 foreign-born wrestlers from 12 countries, ranging from nearby South Korea, China to as far away as Brazil with many more from Eastern Europe.
    And during the event, more than half of last 20 matches including the final match between two Yokozunas, Sumo's highest rank, were involved with foreigners (two of them were fought between foreigners), meaning half of high ranks of sumo wrestlers are dominated by foreigners.
    While the participation of foreigners raised eyebrows in the conservative sumo world in the past especially when Mongolian Yokozuna Asashoryu last August sparked outrage throughout Japan by playing in a charity soccer match in his native Mongolia despite having withdrawn from a regional sumo tour with a back injury.
    But opposition has faded in recent months especially last month when Asashoryu won the Spring Grand Sumo tournament by defeating yokozuna rival Hakuho, also Mongolian.
    The rivalry between Asashoryu and Hakuho is being credited with a slight recovery in the sport's popularity.
    "I have a positive impression of them. I wish both Japanese and foreign wrestlers will be in friendly rivalry," said 32-year-old Iwayo Niwa, one of visitors.
    Not everyone agrees, some sumo fans express concern about foreign wrestlers taking over Japan's roly-poly sport.
    "It is disgraceful that most of top ranks have been dominated by Mongolians in recent years. Japanese wrestlers should go through rigorous training just like they used to be and become stronger than them," said 65-year-old Seijiro Kakiwata, another visitors and has been a sumo fan for more than a half-century.
    Many young Japanese are reluctant to enter the rigid world of sumo, and commentators say more foreigners especially those from countries where wrestling is popular, are likely to test their skills in the sumo ring.
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