IN THE QUIRKS By Glen Mikkelsen, CVE THE IMPOSING TRADITION OF...
In our events, what is the price of tradition? On April 4, 2018, the Mayor of Maizuru, Japan, was de-
doyho). The mayor collapsed.
were also several women who stepped up on to the doyho. The women included a nurse, who assessed the situation, and began performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation. More people hastened to the mayor’s aid, hovering over
the patient.
Soon though, over the PA system, the sumo referee an- nounced, “Could women please step out of the ring?” Confu- sion seemed to come over the caregivers, as they were not sure how to respond. Then again, for a second, and a third time, the referee told the women to leave the ring. One woman was seen pulling at the back of her colleague’s shirt, trying to get With more men coming on to the doyho, all the women
eventually stepped down. They left the mayor’s care to the With the event documented by a fan’s phone and posted on
YouTube, people around the world have watched the scene play out. Shortly after the event, Japan’s Sumo Association Chairman Hakkaku issued an apology. “During their treatment, the referee made an announce-
ment several times saying, “Could women please step out of the ring?” He called (them) out while he was upset, but it was an inappropriate response because the situation could have been life-threatening. We extend a deep apology.” The Sumo association also “deeply thanks the women for -
rhage, was taken to a hospital for surgery – and is now recov- ering. Nevertheless, the controversy stirred discussion across Ja- pan, and around the world, about the place of women in sumo.
26 Facility Manager Magazine
In Australia, sumo wrestling referee Bill Temm recognized it is important to understand the referee’s actions in the con- text of the sport. Temm said, “He’s been raised in a particular way, his whole life is sumo and the adherence to rules.” In Australia, women compete in sumo competitions. Aus- tralian Sumo Federation John Traill says, “Sumo’s very mis- understood, so there is a lot of people every time they put a foot wrong – they will jump on it and open it up to today’s values.” There are historical references to female referees and wres-
tlers. In the 18th century, in some areas of Japan, there was a form of sumo performed by women. Usually it was just a form of entertainment, but in some areas, women did have not allowed to participate – even initially forbidden as paying spectators. Why were women barred? It is thought sumo matches were initially held to entertain harvest goddesses, and farmers be- lieved women would enrage and spur the jealousy of these goddesses, ruining the harvest. Other critics argue that the banning of women stems from traditional Shinto beliefs that women are “impure” because of menstrual blood. Nevertheless, today women make up almost half of most
tournament audiences. In 2014, Japan’s sumo association cre- ated a promotion where six women could get their photos taken in the arms of a sumo wrestlers. Over 8,000 women entered the contest.
Indeed, sumo is a sport that adheres to centuries old philos-
ophies. Its roots tie in to harvest rituals connected to the Shin- to religion. Even today, Shinto principles govern the training - monies resembling sumo matches occurred in Japanese Im- charging admission to bouts during the 17th century.
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