Former Yobidashi Hideo-san was popular with sumo fans, who nicknamed him the “elf of the dohyo.” The former top yobidashi eloquently discusses the work of sumo’s urakata (men behind the scenes); the yobidashi, gyoji, and tokoyama, as well as the rikishi, oyakata, heya, bouts, and other topics. This book will make watching bouts even more enjoyable for you, and will deepen your understanding of sumo! With a glossary of 90 items.
Born in 1949 in Shimoda-shi, Shizuoka-ken, he is a former ozumo yobidashi. His real name is Yamaki Hidehito. He initially joined Isegahama Beya, was subsequently transferred to Kiriyama Beya, and finally belonged to Asahiyama Beya. Yobidashi Hideo made his debut in the March 1969 tournament. After Yobidashi Yasuo reached retirement age after the July 2003 tournament, Hideo became his successor as the top yobidashi from the September 2003 tournament, and thereafter called the final bout of each day during tournaments. Yobidashi Hideo reached retirement age himself on December 27, 2014.
March 1969 tournament Made his debut as an Isegahama Beya yobidashi. July 1994 tournament Was listed as a jumaime yobidashi when the yobidashi were listed on the banzuke. January 1996 tournament Promoted to makuuchi yobidashi. May 2002 tournament Promoted to sanyaku yobidashi. January 2004 tournament Promoted to fukutate yobidashi. March 2007 Moved to Kiriyama Beya after Isegahama Beya closed. January 2008 tournament Promoted to tate yobidashi. May 2001 Moved to Asahiyama Beya after Kiriyama Beya closed. November 2014 tournament Final tournament as a yobidashi.
Born in New Zealand in 1955. Moved to Japan at age of five. Graduated from Sophia University in Japan, in 1978. Working in the import-export field. Editor and publisher of Sumo World magazine.
Foreword――Life as a Yobidashi from My Entrance into Isegahama Beya to Retirement
Chapter 1 Let’s Start with Discussion of the Urakata
The People Who Support Sumo The Yobidashi are in Charge of Calling the Rikishi as Well as Sweeping Dohyo I Only Thought I Called Out Well on Three Days in An Entire Tournament The Cheat Sheet Used by Yobidashi Taiko――Yaguradaiko and Furedaiko are Important Tasks for the Yobidashi Constructing the Dohyo――Manual Labor by All the Yobidashi We Have Many Tasks to Fulfill, Including Hitting Wooden Clappers and Carrying Kensho Banners The Daily Life of a Yobidashi――in My Case The Taikozuka――Performing Religious Services for the Souls of Departed Yobidashi Gyoji――Sumo’s Referees-Judging Bouts is Their First Responsibility Gunbai――Essential Item for Gyoji Gyoji Handle the Public Address System Presenting the Kaobure――Done by the Gyoji and Yobidashi The Banzuke is Written in Sumoji Gyoji Wear Different Costumes According to Their Rank The Tokoyama’s Work――They Become Full-Fledged When They Can Arrange Oichomage Former Rikishi Become Wakaimonogashira and Sewanin
Chapter 2 Sumo’s Leading Actors-Rikishi and Oyakata
What is Needed to Become a Rikishi The Promotion of Rikishi――Those Who Reach Jumaime are Called Sekitori Shikona――A Rikishi’s Ring Name, Real Names are Acceptable Mawashi――A Rikishi Loses if his Mawashi Comes Off A Day in the Life of a Rikishi――Keiko Is Done Only in the Morning Chanko――If There is Not Enough Chanko Sen Dohyoiri――The Sekitori Show Their Faces Bouts――From Entering Shitakubeya to Leaving Torikumi are Decided Upon Every Day There are Currently 82 Winning Techniques The Yumitorishiki――A Ceremony Performed on Behalf of the Winner Yusho, the Sansho and kenshokin――The Makuuchi Yusho Winner Receives Prize Money of 10 Million Yen Jungyo and Hanazumo Rikishi I Remember――Hokutenyu Had Style To Become an Oyakata, One Must Succeed to One of the 105 Toshiyori Myoseki Oyakata Operating Heya and Oyakata Belonging to Heya Okamisan Have a Role Akin to that of Mothers Managers Koenkai――Membership is Available from 10,000 Yen Upwards There are Six Ichimon
Chapter 3 Enjoying Sumo
Sumo is Said to Have Originated with Nomino Sukune From the Edo Era to Today――There was a Crisis After the Meiji Restoration Nihon Sumo Kyokai Seeing Sumo Beya――Watching Keiko Watching Sumo at the Kokugikan
In Conclusion
Glossary
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“Yobidashi Hideo no Sumo-banashi” http://www.gendaishokan.co.jp/goods/ISBN978-4-7684-5780-1.htm
