see When East meets West

 

Continued…………………..By Hank F.Miller Jr. 

 

A typical bout for the rikishi:  

 

A sumo bout doesn\’t begin when the rikishi steps up to the ring, but when they start to think about it, or obsess on it. Some rikishi play back certain bouts–usually losing one\’s–dozens of times on their VCRs. At night, they usually spend long hours staring up at the ceiling, going over techniques in their head (insomnia is a common complaint of rikishi shooting for a big promotion or a tournament win; Yokozuna Kitanofuji once dropped out of a tournament because of it). 

 

Sumo is largely a mental game; rikishi have plenty of time to psych themselves up (or out) for the big bout. For fans watching on TV, the bout begins when the rikishi first appear in the isles that lead to the dohyo or ring. The fans haven\’t seen them practice this morning, trying out what they hope will be the winning move, or in the dressing room that afternoon, polishing their initial jump-off. But can see the confidence, or nervousness, in their faces, read it in their body language. 

 

The rikishi first confront each other after they walk down the aisles and lower themselves onto their cushions ringside. Here battle begins with stares. Some rikishi look off into space with elaborate indifference, the others send laser beams of intimidation across the ring. 

Once again, fans have a chance to take a reading of the rikishi mental states. Who locks eyes? Who glances away? 

 

This psychological gamesmanship continues when the yobidashi 

(Ring announcer) calls their names and they step up onto the dohyo. Watching it escalate is one of the pleasures of the warm-up period. 

The rikishi go to their corners–the east rikishi under the red tassel and the west rikishi under the white–and perform shiko, a traditional foot-stamping exercise. This is not just a way of limbering up, but a way of driving away demons, personal or otherwise, that lurk beneath the dohyo. 

 

Next the rikishi receive a dipperful of chikaramizu (Power water) from either the winner of the previous bout. Losers are disqualified because they might pass along their bad luck. The rikishi rinse out their mouths, wipe their arm pits with chikaragami (power paper),and spit the water into a receptical.While they are thus occupied, the referee raises his gunbai (war fan) and calls out their names–twice, if rikishi in the top four ranks are taking part. 

 

When he finishes, the two rikishi toss salt into the ring and proceed to the recessed spaces on the east and west sides of the ring. They squat on the balls of their feet, their knees spread, in a pose called the sonkuo.  

The rikishi then approach the shikirisen, the white lines 70 centimeters apart, in the middle of the ring. They perform shiko, squat in the sonkyo position, and brushing the decorative starched cords called sagari to the right and left, squat again. This time they put their fists down on the clay, behind the white lines, and glare at their opponents. This is called shikiri.Rising, they return for more salt–and repeat the shikiri once again. 

Thus the Battle begins, most bouts lasts only a few seconds and they\’re over so quickly, \”at the blink of an eye.\” 

 

This will be the end of the commentary regarding sumo a traditional a traditional Japanese sport for now, but I will continue with many other stories of my experience here in Japan these 30 odd years. 

I hope that many readers find my commentaries interesting and enjoy them all. Please do let me know if you have any questions regarding Japan, I\’ll try to answer all inquiries. Until next week,

 

\”Warm Regards From \”THE MILLER ENGLISH SCHOOL\” Kitakyushu City, Japan. 

 

Hank F. Miller Jr. Director  

FISH, WILLIAM HOWARD
Age 53, a resident of Westmont, formerly of Pennsauken, NJ. On Sunday Sept. 30, 2007, at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Camden.
He was born Nov. 11, 1953 in Camden to the late William M. and Jane A. (Ruth) Fish, He married Dorothy (Dolly) on Sept. 27, 1975. He was a graduate of Pennsauken High School Class of 1972, and was a Butcher by trade. He enjoyed bowling, and coaching baseball which he did for 20+ years, and was the former president of Babe Ruth Baseball, and was very active in the PYAA and the South Jersey Bowling Associaion.
He is survived by his beloved wife Dorothy Marie (nee Veitenheimer), a daughter Michelle Marie and sons, Michael William and Scott Howard. Three sisters, Elizabeth Garcia, Susan Birgl, and Kathleen Candelaria, his aunt Doris Ruth and many loved nieces and nephews.
Relatives and friends may call Tuesday eve beginning 7:00 PM and on Wednesday 8:30 AM at the ROEDEL-KRAUSE FUNERAL SERVICES,33 W. Maple Ave. (at Chapel Ave.), Merchantville. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Wednesday 10:00 AM at the Holy Saviour R.C. Church, Westmont. Interment will follow at Calvary Cemetery. Contributions in his memory may be made to the American Cancer Society, 851 Old Cuthbert Road, Cherry Hill, NJ 08034.

Memories from the Past-The photo was taken in the 1950\’s. It was submitted by Bill Gross. How many can you name? ……some I can reconize are kneeling left side, BoBevan, Chipper Miller, Albie Brandt, Geo Strobel, Matt Mullin, Tom Reade, John Lang, Bart Rettew, Ed Hubbs, Bud Ross, Toby Frymire, Joe Battersby, Butch Shaffer….

Below is one side of the photo that was enlarged.

MAGNOTTA, NINA V.
On September 29, 2007. (nee Lombardo) Age 90. Of Mount Ephraim. Formerly of Audubon. Loving wife of 68 years to the late Rocco E. Magnotta who passed away on March 5, 1989. Cherished by her children: Frank Magnotta of Gibbstown, Doretta Geserick (Bill) of Gibbsboro and Cared for and resided with her daughter, Margaret \”Peggy\” Maxwell and her husband Joe and their family since 1995 of Mount Ephraim. Dear Sister of thelate Theodore P. Lombardo, Rose Moffa (late Joseph) of Tyrone, PA, late Andrea Lombardo (late Jennie), Antonetta Derewiany of Voorhees, Mary Redstreak (late Charles) of Cherry Hill, Samuel Lombardo (Dorothy) of Tyrone, PA, Angelina Waite (late Herbert) of Getzville, NY, Josephine Laczkowski (Edward) of Tuscon, Arizona, the late Anna Laute (late William) and Margaret Lombardo of Cherry Hill. Beloved grandmother of 9 and 12 great-grandchildren. Nina was born and raised in Tyrone, PA. Survived by several nieces and nephews. She lived in Audubon and was a resident from 1959 to 1995. She was a devoted parishioner of Saint Rose of Lima R.C. Church from 1960 to present.
She worked as a supervisor for Curtis Publishing Company in Philadelphia for 24 years and was retired. Nina was an avid Philadelphia Phillies fan, loved to cook, bake pies and Christmas cookies for the holidays. She loved to crochet, cherished her friends and adored her cat Cody.
Due to renovations at Saint Rose of Lima R.C. Church, the viewing and Mass will be at Saint Vincent Pallotti R.C. Church and will be celebrated by Msgr. John Frey. Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend her viewing on Thursday morning from 9:30 to 10:30 am at Saint Vincent Pallotti R.C. Church: 901 Hopkins Road, Haddon Township. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10:30 am in the church. Interment New Saint Mary\’s Cemetery, Bellmawr. There will be no evening viewing. Family requests memorial donations in Nina\’s memory to Saint Rose of Lima R.C. Church: 300 Kings Highway, Haddon Heights, NJ 08035 or to the Leukemia Society: Southern New Jersey Chapter: 216 Haddon Avenue, Suite 328, Westmont, NJ 08108. Please write in memo: Nina V. Magnotta.
Expressions of sympathy can be e-mailed to the family throughour Funeral Home website www.mccannhealey.com under online obituaries of Nina V. Magnotta.

By Sara Martino

NEWS Correspondent

A possible new ordinance regarding the parking of boats, trailers, campers, etc. on public and private property was discussed at the September meeting Brooklawn Council, and tabled for another meeting.

\”Our ultimate goal is take a survey of the town, in the alleys and on public property, and create a list.

\”We then will contact residents that may possibly have a problem with parking their boats and other possessions and invite them to attend a special meeting to discuss the concerns on both sides,\” May-or John Soubasis said.

For the present time, the vehicles can be parked on private property but not on the street or borough property.

Two ordinances were introduced on first reading.

Soubasis said emergency vehicles have problems navigating the equipment while turning on some borough streets and Ordinance 14-07, Chapter 141, will be amended to delete some of the problems.

Council will look into residents\’ comments from a previous meeting, especially regarding basketball equipment on streets and sidewalks before approving Ordinance 15-07, Chapter 124 regarding streets and sidewalks.

\”Out of 36 known violations with sports equipment, 33 residents have come into compliance so far,\” the mayor said.

Soubasis asked residents to please call the police department if they observe any vandalism in town, especially at the two gazebos that have been damaged.

\”It\’s a sad situation when the damage is done by children within our town,\” he said. \”The two gazebos have had railings taken off and thrown into the water, and graffiti is on the property in Memorial Park and at the waterfront gazebo.

\”A police officer will patrol the area on bicycle. We are trying to get the waterfront clean and the vandalism must stop,\” he said.

In old business, Council approved an ordinance that will change the time that trash may be put out for collection. Borough Clerk Barbara Lewis said the times will be after 4 p.m. the day before pick-up, and trash cans in by 7 p.m. on collection day.

Also, an ordinance that was partially demanded by the state, sets the price of $21 yearly for both cat and dog licensing.

Borough Engineer Chuck Riebel Jr. reported that a state archaeologist said artifacts were found in the area of the proposed steam bank improvement area and may temporarily delay state approval.

 

BRANIN, EDWARD REED
A popular Cherry Hill educator and a resident of Cherry Hill since 1964, passed away on September 30, 2007. Age 86.
Mr. Branin is survived by his beloved wife, Mary Ellen, 2 daughters, Bonnie Traynor and Kim Branin, 2 sons, Andrew and Thomas, 2 sisters, Francis Bergen and Lois Harris, 8 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren.
Mr. Branin was born and raised in Ocean City and worked in Florida and Phila. prior to entering the US NAVY shortly after the attack on Pearl Harbor. After boot camp in Great Lakes IL, he volunteered for submarine service and attended submarine school in New London CT. During WWII, he was active in the Pacific area on a number of different submarines from the old style \’S\’ boats to the modern fleet type boats until the Japanese surrender in 1945.
After discharge he entered Trenton State College and after graduating began his teaching career in Atlantic City at Central and Chelsea Jr. High schools. While teaching in Atlantic City, he and a former shipmate founded the National Submarine Veterans of World War II and served as its first President. The organization is devoted to perpetuating the memory of the submarine men who lost their lives while serving on submarines during WW II.
Mr. Branin received his Master\’s degree from Rutgers Univ. He was active at the State Level in the NJ Education Association while teaching and later in the NJ State Principal\’s Association. When he lived in Northfield, Atlantic County, he was active in the Lion\’s Club and after moving to Absecon joined the Kiwanis Club, eventually serving as President, prior to moving to Cherry Hill.
Mr. Branin became Supervising Principal in Absecon upon leaving Atlantic City, serving the Absecon Schools for 8 yrs. as its only administrator. He was also Sunday School Superintendent for Absecon Presbyterian Church.
After leaving Absecon for Cherry Hill, Mr. Branin served as an Elementary Principal in a number of elementary schools and closed out his 23 years in Cherry Hill as a high schoolAssistant Principal at Cherry Hill East H.S. He was chairman of the Sex Education Committee that developed the K-12th grade program. This program served as a model for many school districts throughout New Jersey. Mr. Branin was an active member of Trinity Presbyterian Church serving 2 full terms as deacon and frequently an usher.
Relatives and friends are invited to the viewing on Thursday from 7:00 to 9:00pm at the BRADLEY FUNERAL HOME, Rt. 73 and Evesham Rd., Marlton. Funeral Service will be held Friday 10:00am at Trinity Presbyterian Church Rt. 70 Cherry Hill. Interment Locustwood Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Cherry Hill Education Foundation, PO Box 3701, Cherry Hill, NJ 08034.