Musashimaru	Retirement Ceremony
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What's this? Mini photo essay of Yokozuna Musashimaru retirement ceremony held on Oct. 4, 2004.
A larger photo essay is forthcoming on this page.
Last modified: October 3, 2004

Story and photos by Philbert Ono

Musashimaru's final dohyo-iri (ring-entering ceremony). He is flanked by Ozeki Musoyama on the left and Miyabiyama on the right. Both are from Musashimaru's sumo stable. I had expected Yokozuna Asashoryu to be in it, but no.

The retirement ceremony's progression was almost the same as Akebono's retirement ceremony. However, I was disappointed that there were no dignitaries or representatives from Hawaii and the United States. No ambassadors, no Hawaii governor, no nobody. No congratulatory messages either. And a big disappointment was Akebono who was not there either. If Konishiki came, why not Akebono??

Musashimaru happens to be the winningest foreign sumotori ever. He won twelve sumo tournaments. That's one more than Akebono's record. These media people don't know what they are missing. So I give Maru the attention he deserves.

Toward the end, his brothers went up to cut some hair strands.

Stablemaster Musashigawa (former Yokozuna Mienoumi) cuts it all off.

With his topknot freshly cut off, he receives flowers from his nephews and his mom (above). Notice that she stands on the steps instead of the sumo ring. (Women are not allowed to enter the sumo ring.) A more complete photo essay is forthcoming.

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