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arashitranslation
The dignity of Sumo Grand Champion
Here at the venue in Kyushu,
Yokozuna (sumo grand champion) Hakuho won his 40th sumo tournament title which was the first in history.
Why is the “dignity” of Yokozuna questioned?
In 2017, Kisenosato, during his promotion to Yokozuna, was given the “Yokozuna Recommendation Letter”.
It wrote “With the distinguished dignity and power, he is recommended to be Yokozuna”.
At first "dignity”, followed by “power” which means capability is written.
The reason that “dignity” to such degree is required from Yokozuna only.
This could be understood by going through the history of Yokozuna.
Actually, in the first place “Yokozuna” did not refer to the status of sumo wrestler,
but referred to the white rope here.
In 1789 which was Edo era,
Yokozuna was invented by the 19th Yoshida Oikaze.
While it is an antique hanging scroll it may be difficult to see…
Could you know what he did by his appearance.
Yes, he is “Gyoji-san” (sumo referee).
At that time the Gyoji did not only referee bouts,
but also took charge of the promotion of sumo.
There, thinking about raising the popularity of Grand sumo tournament
he devised “clothe popular sumo wrestlers in Yokozuna (white rope) and perform the ceremony of entering the ring".
Then, as for what “Yokozuna” is,
the best theory is that it is the torii (front guard frame) of the shrine, and the sacred straw rope on the family altar at home.
The inside of the “sacred straw rope” represents the “sacred area” where Gods are located.
Tightening the “sacred straw rope” on the waists was an attempt to “deify” the sumo wrestlers.
After that, among the Ozeki who were the highest rank at that time,
the strongest sumo wrestler was allowed to clothe the rope and be called “Yokozuna”, then Yokozuna became a “status”.
Even now when a sumo wrestler becomes Yokozuna he would perform “dedicated ceremony of entering the ring” where the ceremony of entering the ring are performed at shrines like Meiji Shrine.
This “ceremony of entering the ring” is also said to be originally the Shinto ritual conducted when building shrines and temples, indicating the beginning of the Shinto ceremony of purifying a building site.
In the past, during the “Shinto ceremony of purifying a building site” the sumo wrestler would be called, while the sumo wrestler performed the ceremonial leg raising and stomping on the ring, it seemed that the malevolence of the ground would be removed.
In other words “Yokozuna” is the one who is “the closest to God’s existence” among the sumo wrestlers.
This is the reason that they are required to be with outstanding “dignity”.
The incident this time involves Harumafuji and his stablemaster Isegahama Oyakata.
Takanoiwa’s stablemaster Takanohana Oyakata,
Hakuho and Kakuryu who happened to be there,
and then, Hakkaku Oyakata, Chairman of the Japan Sumo Association.
They all are active or former Yokozuna.
The discussion on “dignity” is demanded.
Source: News Zeroイチメン (http://www.ntv.co.jp/zero/ichimen/2017/11/post-352.html)