Two Years After Kitanofuji's Death, Hakkaku Plays His Singing Voice and Nakasu's 'Tajima' Mama Watches From the Hanamichi
Day 5, November 12, marked two years since the death of former yokozuna and longtime NHK commentator Kitanofuji at 82. 'It feels like it's already been two years, and also like it's only been two years,' JSA chairman Hakkaku said. He attended the third-year memorial service and briefly played reporters a recording of Kitanofuji singing that he keeps on his smartphone: 'I listen to his songs sometimes. More than the songs, it's the voice. It's in my favorites. People who sing well are lucky; their voice remains' (Nikkan Sports).
In the stands, as she has every year since 2009, was Emiko Tajima, 48, mama of the snack bar 'Tajima' in Nakasu, Fukuoka, where Kitanofuji was a regular. In kimono near the east hanamichi each day, she often appears on the broadcast. 'Today is the anniversary, so I think Kitanofuji is watching over us from the commentary booth,' she said. She enjoys the small wrestlers and had her picture taken with Arashifuji at a pre-basho party. During Kirishima's Day 5 win over Asanoyama, ABEMA cameras caught her behind the ozeki, and fans wrote 'It's the Tajima mama from Nakasu,' 'the queen of Nakasu' and 'The woman in kimono has an incredible aura' (ABEMA TIMES).
Sources: Yahoo! Japan Sports (Nikkan Sports / Hakkaku) · Yahoo! Japan Sports (Nikkan Sports) · Yahoo! Japan Sports (ABEMA TIMES)