Regarding the Oct. 10 sports brief "Tokitsuumi replaces fired elder": The tragic death of the young wrestler in the Tokitsukaze stable has brought many private details of sumo life to light. For the 34 years I have intensely covered sumo as a reportage artist, and having been married to a Japanese rikishi (wrestler) for many years, I have been a silent spectator of this feudal world. I have understood that the outside world cannot encroach on the sumo world and then expect it to remain what it is -- that which draws us to it.

Many criticisms "on the street" and on Internet sumo lists, especially regarding yokozuna Asashoryu's situation, are voiced by fans who love sumo but don't have a depth of understanding of this world. When even Japanese people have little insight -- unless they have a personal involvement -- the international community of fans can hardly be expected to take a proper stance, outside of wanting the training and discipline to stop short of inhumane. We must remember that sumo is a living extension of traditional Japanese Bushido, and if we want that world to continue, we have to agree to most of the necessary boundaries.

The majority of rikishi and elders are caring and dedicated men who take pride in training their proteges, hoping that they surpass their own achievements. The rare expression of frustrated anger taken out on lesser deshi (apprentices) is something that happens among human beings.

Only the actions of fellow deshi can prevent undue harm to the target. Hopefully, the attention and changes precipitated by this tragedy will encourage all rikishi to be willing to step up and stop such behavior in the future. Of course, this is very difficult in a feudal society where even a man who is your senior by just one day has authority. I hope the Japan Sumo Association will be more attentive to the treatment and good health of the young men under their authority while continuing to be strong against well-intentioned but ill-informed pressures from outside.

lynn matsuoka