(the) Road to the Deep East

Thanks to the Internet ( mainly because of a famous anime, Ouran High School Host Club I guess) now one of the most unique sex culture for women, 'Host' is recognized by the world with its too precise synonym, 'boy geisyha'. Now it looks hosts are becoming as famous as other Japanese unique professions, such as geisha, ninjas, sumo wrestlers, cosplay maids, and otakus. It'll be a matter of time some foreign women go to host clubs in Shinjuku to experience exoticism of this country, just like they go and see kabuki or sumo in Japan.

But hotel charge in Tokyo is very high, so if possible, foreign travelers must want to see those unique products all together in one day, to save the money. For those travelers, now a man is preparing for his debut. Interestingly, an ex-host is going to make his debut as a sumo wrestler.

This man, Yamashita Tomonori, 20 years old, was working in Japanese sex industry in Minami, Osaka for years after he left high school. He was working at Kyabakura as a waiter, and he experienced 'host' job as a part time, 1,000 yens for one hour hosting.

However, last February, he visited a Takasago beya, a famous sumo gym where Yokozuna Asashoryu belongs to, with his father, and he was impressed by this very manly job. And he came to think that he has to train himself again as a sumo wrestler, leaving the sex industry. And thanks to the connection of his father, who is rakugo-ka (Japanese traditional style comedian), he could enter the gym, and started his sumo training.

His debut was delayed for one serious problem comes from his past career. Needless to say, for Japanese women's preference, hosts have to become skinny. But sumo wrestlers are... So, first thing he had to do was to gain his weight until 67kg. He eats 3 bowls of rice for one meal, and drinks a lot of milk, advised by Asashoryu. And now he is going to attend to the trial to become professional sumo wrestler in May. If he can pass this trial, he will become the first host sumo wrestler in its 300-year history.

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It's a very interesting tale. One boy, who was working in sex industry, finds his vocation after seeing a live sumo wrestling. And I think his career as a host will help in his sumo road. It may sound sumo wrestler and host are quite different jobs, but there are things in common.

First, a host sometimes has to embrace fat, ugly, stinky human beings reluctantly, but it's exactly same as sumo wrestlers. Only the difference is its sex.

Second, a host has to flatter to old human beings, to get some money as a boy geisha. But it's also same as sumo wrestlers. Sumo wrestlers usually has sponsors from their hometown(what is called tanimachi), and receive financial supports from them. Although it is considered as sports, but in some important matches (for example, when one more winning required to become yokozuna) the money helps the wrestler a lot. I don't mention in details, but please just guess. It's a kind of taboo of this sacred sport, and I'll be assassinated by a yakuza if I do.

Not for only fixed matches , to become a trainer(oyakata) and open a sumo gym (sumo beya)after the retirement, sumo wrestler has to purchase the license from other oyakatas, and its price is over 100,000,000 yens, and can't be managed from the monthly wage paid by the Sumo commision.

*It's off topic, but this system why some gaijin sumo wrestlers (such as Akebono or Konishiki) couldn't become oyakatas after their retirement. They couldn't get enough money from their sponsors.

Anyway, his sociability trained in host clubs will help his career mainly in two points.

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And now Sumo is in its Ice Age, as well as music industry. Almost all the strong ones are gaijins, and Japanese audience is waiting for the appearance of handsome and strong wrestler, just like ancient heros like Takano hana or Chiyono Fuji. Will this ex-host sumo man able to become the handsome hero of the next generation?? Let's look at his picture.

http://www.nikkansports.com/sports/sumo/news/p-sp-tp3-20080409-345959.html
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Oh, Hmm... well, he looks very strong!! Yes, very strong!! I say. Strong ne!! One thing I could learn is, everybody can become hosts and sumo wrestlers easily, if we want, only we are tall enough. The point is after the person became the one. It seems he still looks closer to hosts, so I wish he tries his best and can become more like sumo wrestlers.