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Japan Sumo Association: No cushion throwing at Kyushu tournament

zabutonnage

In sumo tournaments, there’s nothing quite as exciting as seeing fans react to a yokozuna’s loss by throwing their seat cushions into the ring. You’d think that the Japan Sumo Association, which is suffering from declining fan interest and a string of scandals, would allow the tradition of cushion throwing to continue. However, that does not seem to be the case:

Fears over health and safety have prompted the Japan Sumo Association to introduce a new type of cushions that will be harder to throw, association officials said.

“The measures are aimed at preventing injuries,” said stablemaster Dewanoumi, who is in charge of the Kyushu tournament.

The customary single cushions in the four-seat boxes (masu-seki) will be replaced by two larger cushions each measuring 50 by 125 centimeters, which will then be tied together with strings.

According to Mainichi, there has never been a report of someone being injured by a cushion thrown during a sumo tournament.

16 comments - What do you think? Posted by James - October 18, 2008 at 9:03 pm

Categories: General Japan Tags: sumo, 座布団投げ

http://www.feitclub.com feitclub

I’m getting the impression that the Sumo Association would much rather we all stayed home and watched sumo on TV. At this point, NHK coverage gives you a better experience anyway, since there are replays and graphics to offer actual context to the matches, to say nothing of the commentary. At the arena, all they’ve got are fast-paced announcements and a make-shift “scoreboard” that half of the paying customers can’t see.

http://www.chirimotsumoreba.net/ Jordan

Well, hate to knock the armchair fan, but nothing is better than going to see sumo. If you need someone to tell you the context, you haven’t been paying close enough attention.

http://www.victorymanual.com Alex

*The distant sound of a nagging mother-figure* “It’s all fun and games until someone puts an eye out!”
The Overthinker

You wouldn’t expect this kind of Spanish Inquisition stuff from the Sumo Associat—

Ximinez:
NOBODY expects the Spanish Inquisition!
Our chief weapon is surprise…surprise and fear…fear and surprise….
Our two weapons are fear and surprise… and ruthless efficiency….
Our three weapons are fear, surprise, and ruthless efficiency…
and an almost fanatical devotion to the Sumo Association….
Our four… no…
Amongst our weapons… Amongst our weaponry…
are such elements as fear, surprise…
I’ll come in again.

Ximinez:
Now, old sumo wrestler – you are accused of winning on three counts – winning by uwatenage, winning by oshidashi, winning by shitatenage, and winning by yorikiri – four counts. Do you confess?

Asashoryu:
I don’t understand what I’m accused of.

Ximinez:
Ha! Then we shall make you understand! Biggles! Throw…THE SOFT CUSHIONS!

(JARRING CHORD)

(Biggles throws out two ordinary sumo ring cushions)

Biggles:
Here they are, lord.

Ximinez:
Now, old wrestler – you have one last chance.
Confess the heinous sin of soccer-playing, reject the works of the stable-master – two last chances.
And you shall be free – three last chances.
You have three last chances, the nature of which I have divulged in my previous utterance.

Asashiryu:
I don’t know what you’re talking about.

Ximinez:
Right! If that’s the way you want it – Cardinal! Throw the soft cushions!

(Biggles carries out this rather pathetic torture)

Ximinez:
Confess! Confess! Confess!

Biggles:
It doesn’t seem to be hurting him, lord.

Ximinez:
Have you got all the stuffing up one end?

Biggles:
Yes, lord.

Ximinez:
(angrily hurling away the cushions)
Hm! He is made of harder stuff! Cardinal Fang! Fetch…THE COMFY CHAIR!

Fang:
(terrified)
The…Comfy Chair?

(Biggles pushes Asashoryu in a really plush comfy chair)

Ximinez:
So you think you are strong because you can survive the soft cushions. Well, we shall see. Biggles! Put him in the Comfy Chair!

http://www.chirimotsumoreba.net/ Jordan

Haha. “Your oyakata was a hamster and your beya smelt of elderberries.”

Level3

To make it “safer” you make the cushions harder to aim and twice as heavy? So the people will try to throw these things but hit more spectators in the back of the head.

Good going sumo ‘tards.
How about not fixing the matches or having anti-gaijin witch hunts and outright discrimination?

http://www.chirimotsumoreba.net/ Jordan

Anti-gaijin witch hunts? All three of them tested positive for smoking dope, no witch hunts were even needed.

ankoku

Sooooo….basically they are going to make it harder to throw these cushions, however when you do manage to throw them (and don’t doubt that they will be thrown) it will actually be more dangerous for them. Good job, Japan.
Montsan

It amazes me how many people are so out of touch with their own occupation. Every time you see a horrible decision like this (or TV show/commercial/movie/etc.), you KNOW it was probably approved by a group of high-level decision makers who thought it would be a great idea. Things like “New Coke,” Sarah Palin, and the Cavemen TV sitcom.
onceuponatime

sumo is finished. throwing or not throwing is irrelevant.

LB

“Sumo is finished.”

Somehow I am sure that is what some were saying back in the 18th Century when Daidouzan Bungorou was doing his Dohyouiri and turning Sumo into a freakshow carnival event….

The Overthinker

Well, sumo finishes several times a year. And then it starts again….

http://www.chirimotsumoreba.net/ Jordan

ZING!

cheese pizza

I’m going to go and throw them anyway.
tzvete

It’s a pity to have this custom stopped.It’s a part of the thrill when watching sumo.I’ll miss it.
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Japan Sumo Association: No cushion throwing at Kyushu tournament

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