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A scale showing the heights of the following rikishi, from left to right: Shakagatake Kumoemon, 5'11"; Ikuzuki Geitazaemon, 6' 0"; Oozora Buzaemon, 6' 0"; Ryuumon Yoshigoro, 6' 2"; Chiyonoyama Masanobu, 6' 3"; Oozutsu Manemon, 6' 6"; Yamakawa Toshio, 6' 6"; Hokuseiho Osamu, 6' 7"; Akashi Shiganosuke, 6' 7"; Kotooshu Katsunori, 6' 8"; Ouchiyama Heikichi, 6' 8"; Dewagatake Bunjiro, 6' 8"; Akebono Taro, 6' 8"; Fudoiwa Mitsuo, 7' 0".

Who Was the Tallest Rikishi in Japanese History?

On Jason’s All-Sumo YouTube channel, Jason wondered who might have been the tallest Japanese-native rikishi. My interest now piqued, down into the rabbit hole I dove.

Anita Y. Tsuchiya July 14, 2022 0

Soccer broadcast setup showing a microphone, sound board, and laptop.

Five Key Differences Between Announcing and Broadcasting

Announcers and broadcasters play distinctly different roles at sports events. Use these five reminders to help keep them straight.

Anita Y. Tsuchiya December 30, 2019 0

What I Have Learned About Announcing Soccer

The past few seasons of announcing men’s and women’s collegiate soccer have been a joyous ride, and every year I learn something new.

Anita Y. Tsuchiya October 24, 2019 0

A Viewer’s Guide to RobiHachi: Getting Started

On its surface, the gag anime RobiHachi [ロビハチ] directed by Shinji Takamatsu is filled with contemporary and pop cultural references. But the story and characters are inspired from a book series titled Tōkaidōchū Hizakurige written by Jippensha Ikku and published during the late Edo Period.

Anita Y. Tsuchiya May 13, 2019 0

Made in Japan: Kanjinchō (The Subscription List)

I found a terrific video of a live kabuki performance of Kanjinchō 勧進帳 (The Subscription List), which is a favorite of yours truly. The play is listed among the 18 Famous Kabuki[…]

Anita Y. Tsuchiya September 25, 2018 0

Made in America: Hey, How Are You Doing?

That breezy little greeting still gives me pause. During the fleeting seconds after hearing it, my mind races to come up with an answer. So why do I struggle over[…]

Anita Y. Tsuchiya September 9, 2018 0

Behind the Story of Blood and Tears – Making a Map and Banners for the Battle of Ueno

Credit: sabakuINK CC BY-SA 4.0 Source: C.V. Starr East Asian Library, University of California, Berkeley Episode 12 (13AUG) of Blood and Tears includes a map detailing troop movements during[…]

Anita Y. Tsuchiya August 28, 2018 0

Made in America: Working in the film “American Pastime”

(Originally published in my blog, The Sporkball Journals, on July 20, 2008.) There is no small irony in the fact I now live just a 2-hour drive away from where[…]

Anita Y. Tsuchiya August 25, 2018 0

Behind the Story of “Blood and Tears” – Yaba Onna

In Episode 2, Usaburo informs O-Bun that a yaba onna is not the type service worker she had in mind. yaba = archery range onna = woman

Anita Y. Tsuchiya June 12, 2018 0

Kidney Disease in Pets and Enteric Dialysis

Chronic kidney disease in pets, usually dogs and cats, can be treated with a novel therapy called enteric dialysis to improve their quality of life and life span.

Anita Y. Tsuchiya February 2, 2017 0

Female Sports P.A. Announcers: A Rare Breed

This article originally appeared in the March 2020 issue of “The Voice“, the official newsletter of the National Association of Sports P.A. Announcers (NASPAA). Photo credits: (left) Jonathan Okanes, (right) University[…]

Anita Y. Tsuchiya March 10, 2020 0

Now Open! P.A. Announcing and Emcee Services Page

I have reached a few professional milestones: creating of a PA Announcer landing page, Becoming a Certified Public Address Announcer (CPAA), and announcing a women’s basketball game at the University of Utah on National Girls and Women in Sports Day.

Anita Y. Tsuchiya February 3, 2020 0

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