A literal description of my state of mind
A literal description of my state of mind
Even in that most tradition-ridden culture, Japan, the influence of modernization creeps ever closer...
A tussle has broken out in Japan's tradition-bound sumo world over the right to wear pants in the ring.
Sacrelege!
Gargantuan sumo wrestlers generally compete naked but for a "mawashi," an arrangement of wrapped cloth that preserves a bare minimum of modesty.Sumo's amateur association hit upon the idea of allowing shy youngsters to wear "sumo pants," a more substantial garment similar to cycling shorts, to try to boost the dwindling numbers of children taking up the sport, the daily Yomiuri Shimbun said on Thursday.
What's next? A kabuki version of Gigli? I'm no hidebound stick in the mud, but you have to draw the line somewhere.
And if they start allowing pants, well, I'll just have to forego my career in Sumo. I already had a great name picked out too: Yomama.
Posted by Ted at March 24, 2005 11:58 AM | TrackBackI kind of always wanted to go to Japan and toss some of those fellas around the ring. I think that the ol' wedgie inducer that they wore was certainly a drawback, but tradition is tradition...
I read somewhere that the AVERAGE weight of a Japanese sumo is 220 pounds. I had that beat in 9th grade.
Posted by: Derek at March 24, 2005 04:43 PMThey need to take into consideration their target market. Like Hooters - what man wants to go see a fully clothed waitress? I want an almost naked sumo wrestler!!!!
Uh, right.
Posted by: Amy at March 24, 2005 10:44 PM