The loss of tradition...

[laurainlimbo]

Lately everyone's all in a buzz about Michael Phelps smoking a bong, and getting suspended from his sport. I could really care less about Phelps - but you know what? I think that his getting suspended is a very lenient punishment. He's very lucky in fact that this country has such lax attitudes about drug use, especially when one is a high profile athlete such as Phelps.

As a contrast, take a look at This story , which leaves me feeling very sad.

I find it very unfortunate that Japan has been faced with this scandal, which is also a very serious breach of morals and traditions in a sport that has always been considered one of the most traditional and most rule-bound. While I'm all for having fun, and I'm not against marijuana smoking in general, I believe that it's just one of many negative influences that is affecting Japan. Having lived in that beautiful country, I realize how important tradition has always been to the Japanese people. and to quote this article: "... many Japanese believe that to stain the purity of sumo is to tarnish the heart of Japan itself." .

According to the article, one of these sumo wrestlers is being dismissed from the sport, but many think this is too lenient a punishment. Marijuana use has very stiff penalties in Japan.

Sadly, so many of the ancient Japanese traditions may soon die out because of the disinterest of the younger generations, and the negative influences of western culture. It's hard to find young people who still care about tea ceremony, ikebana (flower arrangement), and other arts; and now that sumo has been tainted, it may lose its real sense of honor.

what a sad day for the country of Japan.

Comments

[iilii.livejournal.com]

Phelps is a stupid kid, and now he's both famous and rich, so he thinks he can get away with anything. He needs better guidance or at least to learn from this mistake. I heard he is losing Kellogg as a sponsor but not any others at this point, but I hope that's enough of a lesson for him.

That's more surprising about the sumo wrestlers, because I would think they would have better guidance. From what I've heard, sumo training is a pretty strict lifestyle. I could see how it would be a very tough life to live if you're looking at what modern Japan has to offer.

Personally, I don't think pot is any worse than alcohol. I've seen people screw up their lives and their health by abusing both, but I don't think occasional use of either by adults does much harm. If your livelihood depends on you staying clean, though, you'd do a lot better to avoid both.

[laurainlimbo.livejournal.com]

I agree with you on all points. occasional use of marijuana is not a problem. it's that using it and upholding a name for yourself as an athlete, and especially in such a traditional sport such as sumo, is shameful.

[iilii.livejournal.com]

Do you think it's shameful because it is illegal or because it alters one's mental state? Do you think use of alcohol by a sumo wrestler is equally as shameful?

[laurainlimbo.livejournal.com]

I think both, and neither. It's shameful because they know it is illegal, and that it alters their mental state yet they do it anyway. If some salary man wants to do this, he isn't harming anyone but himself, really, unless he's on company time. But sumo wrestlers are highly respected, highly paid athletes in a very popular, traditional sport. they are in the spotlight and all that they do is scrutinized. that's a hard life, yes, but it's what they chose. they need to respect that, and realize that they are disrespecting not only themselves, but their country. alcohol is legal, but if an athlete decides to get stinking drunk all the time, that's shameful too. if it impairs his performance as an athlete especially. Athletes' bodies are their canvas and they need to treat their bodies with respect too.

in this situation with the marijuana, I don't think the shame just comes from the drugs being illegal, or impairing their mental state temporarily. they shouldn't be barred from having a good time ever, and everyone likes to have fun. the shame comes from what they are doing to the sport by bringing in something illegal, as well as something that has a stigma in Japan as a harmful drug. they've tainted the sport, as well as the tradition of Sumo in Japan, so that it won't have the respect it used to have by those who value the older ways. I know people say that times change, but Japan is one place that should really keep traditions sacred, even while also embracing some of western culture.