Story and photos by Lawrence I. Charters
Seahawk, February 8, 1985, pp. 1, 11.
When the most popular person in Japan has his first haircut in twenty years, it is an Event with a capital “E.” Jesse Kuhaulua, the Hawaiian-born sumotori who rewrote sumo record books in his two decades in the ring, had his topknot cut off on Feb. 3, and over 11,000 well-wishers watched in person while millions more were glued to their television sets.
“One of the best Ambassadors of good will the United States has ever produced”
Among the many distinguished guests were Ambassador Mike Mansfield, who also contributed a moving dedication to the danpatsu program book.Only the highest-ranking sumotori are permitted the distinctive ginko leaf-shaped hairstyle, so this particular haircut was hardly a casual affair. In a sport that is older than Christianity, the danpatsu (hair clipping) ceremony marks a wrestler’s official retirement from active competition. Dressed in formal kimono, Jesse sat for over an hour and a half as some 230 friends and dignitaries used gold-plated scissors to snip away at this trademark. U.S. Ambassador Mike Mansfield headed an American contingent paying tribute to Takamiyama (Jesse’s ring name). By the time Takasago Oyakata, Jesse’s former coach and head of his heya (stable), made the final cut, tears were streaming down Jesse’s face. He was no longer Takamiyama; now he would be known as Azumazeki Oyakata, sumo coach and elder statesman.
Ambassador Mansfield called Jesse “one of the best Ambassadors of good will the United States has ever produced,” claiming “the man with the body of a giant had a heart to match.” Coming to Japan as an 18-year-old football star from Happy Valley, Hawaii, Jesse had humble aspirations, wanting nothing more than to strengthen his legs, crushed in a childhood highway accident. Struggling against cultural conflicts in a sport originally intended for Japanese alone, Jesse succeeded beyond anyone’s wildest dreams. He became the most enduring top-ranked player in the sport’s history, the first foreigner ever to enter the sport’s upper division, and the first foreigner ever to win the coveted “Emperor’s Cup.”
Adopted by the American military community in Japan, Jesse also became a hero in Hawaii as well, and veterans of the renown 442nd Regimental Combat Team offered him their slogan: “Go for Broke.” Now a Japanese citizen, Jesse has avoided answering questions about his future plans. Many want him to open his own heya, including his fan club president, Sasagawa Ryoichi, chairman of a Japanese shipping firm and one of Japan’s wealthiest men. While one era has ended, another, different era is beginning.
