2012年10月16日大日乃光第２０２４号の２
親から子へと引き継ぐ良き伝統が人類の文化と根源
新横綱誕生の九月場所千秋楽
The Advent of a New Yokozuna - from the final bouts of the September Grand Sumo Tournament
秋も深まり、いよいよ奥之院大祭が近づいてまいりました。今年は久しぶりに、新横綱が誕生しました。
Autumn has descended upon us and the Annual Okuno-in Grand Festival is only a motion away. This year a brand new Yokozuna Champion has claimed his title of the highest order on the traditional Japanese Sumo ring.
九月場所の千秋楽、第六十九代横綱白鵬と、二回目の全勝優勝を目指す大関日馬富士の結びの一番は、総理大臣杯を渡した時の野田総理の言葉通り、鳥肌が立つほどの名勝負でした。下手投げを決めた直後、日馬富士は額を土俵に付けて祈っているように見えました。
その姿に言い知れぬ感動が、私の心に湧き起こりました。
I was glued to the television screen watching the final bout of the September Basho (Round) of Ohzumo Tournament, where the 69th Yokozuna Champion Hakuho and Ozeki Harumafuji, who was challenging the wrestler of a higher stature to clinch the final victory with his second time no-loss 15 days' winning streak, faced each other for the verdict. As expressed by Prime Minister Noda, who presented the Winner's Cup to the victorious Harumafuji; "the match was so awe-inspiring, I had goose bumps all over me". Once the challenge was won, the Ozeki Harumafuji stared at the dohyo (ring) as if he were praying to hear his name called by the judging gyohji. I searched in vain for words to express the sensation that almost toppled me while watching the Ozeki come to his own realization of his victory.
その後の優勝インタビューでは、
「（この勝利と今回の優勝を）自分の先祖の霊と、僕を生んでくれた父と母、この体、この力を与えて下さった両親に感謝したい。良き運勢の気の流れと、良き師匠に恵まれ、加えて多くの応援して下さった方々にも恩返しできた事が何よりです。これからも多くの皆さんに勇気と希望を与えられる相撲を取って行きたい」
と、私の記憶を辿ってようやく思い出した内容です。皆さんはどう思われましたか？
In the interview that followed the victory, he said;
"I would like to dedicate this Cup to my ancestors, parents who gave birth to me, and my body whose power and spiritual resilience was given to me by those who have guided me thus far. I have been given the gifts of good luck, splendid guidance from the master, as well as the support and cheers of fans who have placed their faith in me. My aim from now is to continue to provide, through my bouts, the courage and hope that many people so desire to be inspired by."
I admit that above is from my personal recollection of the event that unfolded on screen. What were your takes on the drama that might have unfolded in front of your own eyes?
私は結びの一番の素晴らしさと同じぐらいに、これらの言葉を発する新横綱（三日後に第七十代横綱に推挙された）の言葉に、妻と二人で感激の涙を流しながら、手を取り合って喜び合いました。彼はちょうど私達の子供の世代です。その若者に、現代の日本人以上に立派な日本人の心を持つ青年の姿を見せてもらいました。
I viewed the chain of actions in front of the TV set with my wife, both of us in tears of joy, hand in hand, celebrating the advent of the 70th Yokozuna Champion. Harumafuji belongs to the generation of our children. In the eyes of a young man, the new Champion (who originally came from Mongolia), we caught a glimps of what it was to be a true Japanese with a splendid mind, spirit and heart.
もちろん横綱白鵬関も立派な人格を持っておられることは、佛像の心象モデルを務めて頂いたり、何度も接していますから、私は個人的にも充分知っております。
I shall not, for even a moment, forget about the admiration I have harboured for the existing Yokozuna Hakuho, who, too, is equipped with a character and a personality that is of the highest order and splendor. I know this through my first hand numerous encounters with the gentleman as he stood in front of us to be the model for one of the Buddha statues which were carved and displayed at the temple grounds in recent times.
最近、日本人の横綱が少ないことについて、「ハングリー精神が足りないからだ」とよく言われますが、三人のモンゴル出身の横綱の発言や行動に、ハングリーさだけではない、家族の助け合いや尊敬と感謝し合うといった人としての基本的な心構えにも関係しているのではないかと思っております。
It has been a long time since we have witnessed the advent of a domestically born and bred Yokozuna. Many attribute this to the lack of a mentality of the deprived. However, my observation of the more recent three Yokozunas that joined the ranks from Mongolia leads me to believe this; not only is it important to "be hungry for more", all of us as humans must have the basic building blocks rooted in the mind, spirit and heart at the foundation. This is translated as mutual help, respect and appreciation for members of one's family as well for others around you.
横綱の伝統を繋ぐ奥之院大祭の奉納土俵入り
In Maintenance of Traditional Roles of the Yokozuna Champion
Harumafuji's Traditional Dohyoh-iri (Ring Entering Ritual) at Okuno-in Grand Festival
その新横綱が、来たる十一月三日の大祭で土俵入りを奉納して下さいます。二代目若乃花以来、全ての新横綱（十四人）が九州場所前に、奥之院で土俵入りを奉納して頂いています。
The New Yokozuna Grand Champion will adorn the November 3rd Grand Festival with his traditional Ring Entering Ritual at Okuno-in Annex of Renge-in Temple, Tamana, Kumamoto Pref. The first ever such ritual to take place at our compounds was one that was performed by Wakanohana II, and, ever since, has been an annual ceremonial event that takes place right before the Kyushu Basho Tournament. To date, we have had the honor of inviting all 14 new Yokozunas in succession to conduct the ceremony.
二十六年前、大相撲行司の神様とも言われる吉田司家（熊本市内）と相撲協会との縁が切れてしまいました。新横綱は江戸時代から代々吉田司家に参上して、横綱としての心構えと土俵入りの作法を伝授されて、横綱の免状を授けられます。その上で初めて吉田司家に設えられた土俵で、奉納土俵入りをする習わしでした。
26 years ago, the long standing relationship between the Yoshida Family, a family that had served as the accreditation authority for the issuance of licenses in sumo, and the Nihon Sumo Kyokai (Association), had been severed. Since the Edo Period (16th to 19th century) new Yokozunas would first make the journey to the Yoshida Family to undergo thorough training in order to understand, through body as well as mind, the code of conduct and ceremonial rites of the wrestler of the highest rank. Only then could they officially be crowned as Yokozuna, upon which the new champion would perform their rituals on a dohyo (ring), erected in the compounds of the Yoshida Family, and formerly announce their ascension to the rank.
第五十九代横綱の隆の里が、この吉田司家から横綱の免状を受けた最後の横綱になってしまいました。この事を知られた先代の真如大僧正様は、その年に誕生した新横綱は、九州場所前の十一月三日の大祭に、奉納土俵入りをしてもらうべく、初代二子山親方のご理解とご協力の基に、これを実現してこられたのです。
The last of the Yokozuna wrestlers who was crowned through this procedure was the 59th Champion Takanosato. Upon receiving the news of the severance, the previous Venerable Shin-nyo Daisohjo approached Master Futagoyama I (Futagoyama Clan = one of the largest of powerhouses of wrestlers) to seek for his advice and cooperation in assigning Renge-in as an alternative place for the ritual and for that to be performed at the November 3rd Annual Grand Festival within the temple grounds.
その意味で、今年も新横綱日馬富士に奉納土俵入りをして頂ける事は、私個人としては、父（真如大僧正様）が残した信念と行事を無事に引き継ぐ事であり、それはまた「相撲の神様」の意志にも沿う事になると確信しております。
This is how we, once again this coming November, get to witness the ritual expected to be performed by the newly crowned Yokozuna Grand Champion Harumafuji. This will be a joyous moment where I shall undoubtedly be reminded of the resolution and the act of my late father (Shin-nyo Daishohjoh), when I am expected to ensure that the spirit of this tradition is passed on in its entire form. I have no doubt that this serves the will of the "Deity of Sumo" that prevails even in modern times.
皆様もそれぞれの家庭での良き習慣や伝統を、しっかりと子や孫に伝えるべく、凛とした生き方を後ろ姿で伝えて頂きたいと念じつつ、皆さまの大祭へのお参りを心待ちに致しております。
I sincerely hope that all of us in various forms in each of our households respect and maintain these customs and traditions that are with us to pass on to our youngsters so as to serve as shining examples of a path for them to follow. We do hope that you are able to make it to the Annual Grand Festival on November 3rd.
合 掌
Thank you with humility from the heart.
大日新聞（月3回発行）を購読されたい方は、
右の「お申し込みはこちら」からお申し込みいただくか、
郵送料（年1,500円）を添えて下記宛お申し込みください。
| お問い合わせ |
〒865-8533 熊本県玉名市築地玉名局私書箱第5号蓮華院誕生寺
TEL:0968-72-3300 |
