RIP Taro Akebono, Hawaiian born Grand Champion of Sumo wrestling, who
died this April 2024 aged 54 years. The outpouring of respect for
this giant of a man, both physically and from his achievements in the
ancient ‘national sport’ of Japan, is deeply moving. The wrestler who
came to Japan as a teenager to pursue a career in one of the most
traditional sports in Japanese culture, made a good impression on
both; a champion after six years and eventually a naturalised citizen.
I remember watching sumo wrestling as a child enthralled by the
ceremony of all those involved, the fans, and the brief ‘winner takes
all’ / ‘do or die’ action of the wrestling matches. When reading the
obituary from the BBC, they described the retirement of Akebono from\
sumo, with a ceremony attended by 11, 000 (eleven thousand) people,
who watched as his traditional ‘top-knot’ was cut by “320 friends and
former competitors”. Having never met the man i can only judge him by
his record, and the reputation he held within Japan. In so doing, i am
reminded of another foriegn born man who made Japan his home and
final resting place, (aged 55) over 400 years ago, 16 May 1620:
William Adams. Both died about the same age and both became honoured
members of Japanese society- one ‘Yokozuna’, one ‘Hatamoto’ -both
acting as ambassadors for there respective countries of origin: Hawaii,
USA / England and Japan. Both will be remembered by future generations,
their lives short but their character and spirit goes on.
Leave a Reply