(NOAH) "Donmai, Donmai" ~ Mitsuharu Misawa's diary ~ 1st January 2009

Cheers!

This is Misawa. Happy New Year.

2009 has already begun. I wonder what kind of year this will be. I wonder if the economy will recover. It's difficult. There was a lot of gloomy news last year, I find myself muttering to myself.

By the way(?) Going back to the topic for a moment, a year seems to go by really quickly as you get older. It really does go by quickly. Early rising goes by quickly (<--- This is the first dirty joke of 2009. Well, that's what I wanted to say.)

Going back a bit, Christmas cake used to be a buttercream cake and wasn't very tasty. I was amazed when I first tried a cake with fresh cream. Speaking of New Year's, it's definitely osechi cuisine*. However, I don't like osechi cuisine, so even if I see a luxurious osechi, I don't get very excited. Especially when I was a child, I remember that the only thing I could eat in osechi was kamaboko*. 

Chestnut kinton... I don't like it.

Black beans... I don't eat them.

Herring roe... I don't eat it.

Sesame beans... I don't like them.

Oh, I used to like datemaki. I liked datemaki and ate it, but in the end, that's two with kamaboko! 

Another reason is that in the past, stores were closed on New Year's Day, and it seems that the intention was to give housewives who normally work all year round a break, but now stores are open. Also, with our busy lives, it seems like it would be a real pain to prepare osechi just to take time off over New Year. However, it seems that sales of high-end osechi are better than usual this year. It's not like the bubble era when overly expensive items were selling, but in the current economic climate, many people seem to want to enjoy a slightly better osechi at home to relax and enjoy the festive atmosphere of New Year's, but I guess this only works if you're a fan of osechi.

My first match of the year will be on January 4th at the Tokyo Dome. The only good thing about the New Year is that there are fewer cars in Tokyo. I don't have to worry about traffic jams when I go to the Dome, so it's a bit reassuring. 

However, my car is actually not running well... I haven't had any major issues with my current car, but the other day I competed in Real Japan Pro Wrestling*, and afterwards I ran into some trouble right as I was leaving. 

If you've ever been to Korakuen Hall or Tokyo Dome, you'll probably have an idea: the Korakuen Hall parking lot opens onto Sotobori-dori, a very busy road. Everything was fine until I left the parking lot after the match, but as soon as I got onto Sotobori-dori, my car started making a humming noise and nearly ran out of power in the middle of the intersection. I managed to move it to the side of the road, and after an hour of keeping the engine going, I finally managed to get it to restart(?). I was already exhausted from the match. I sent it off for repairs and it has been returned, so I don't think there will be any problems, but I can only hope that January 4th will come without any problems. 

This year is the Year of the Ox. While the phrase "cow's pace"* is sometimes used in a negative way, such as in the phrase "snails pace", it also gives the impression of steady progress. In these challenging times, I want to carefully determine what I need to do now and move forward steadily, one step at a time...I thought I would end this with a renewed determination, but I forgot something important.

Speaking of which, Ippei has started a family. Yes! In Ippei's case, I'm more worried about whether he'll be able to manage a family, but his hair is growing out a bit and looking more presentable (I didn't realize at first that I'd feel embarrassed to be around him when he walked around with that weird hairstyle. I guess everyone has their own sensibilities, though...)

I couldn't help but tease Ippei right at the start of the New Year. 

Noah's 2009 season begins on the 11th with Marufuji's anniversary event at Differ Ariake. Last year marked ten years since Marufuji's debut. I don't usually look back on the past, but I can remember being his my assistant ten years ago, as if it were just the other day. And in those ten years that have flown by in the blink of an eye, I'm reminded of the immense growth he's shown not only in his wrestling, but also in his mental growth. Even for veterans, remembering their tenth year in the workforce is probably a somewhat emotional milestone. And for those of you who are currently in your tenth year, I know you must be facing various struggles every day, but as fellow wrestlers of the same generation, I hope this event will give you a positive feeling and motivation to keep going.

Looking back, ten years has flown by, but what kind of awareness and challenges Marufuji has faced during that time is truly reflected in his performance in the ring. Of course, I think he still has much to learn and develop. And that's true not only for Marufuji, but for all the wrestlers and staff, including myself.

It may be a difficult time, but all the wrestlers in Noah will continue to work hard with a positive attitude. And we want to move forward together with you, sharing that positive spirit. We would greatly appreciate your continued support this year as well.  

Mitsuharu Misawa

Pro Wrestling NOAH Co., Ltd. 

Notes

Osechi cuisine: Traditional Japanese New Year foods. Osechi are easily recognizable by their special boxes called jūbako, which resemble bentō boxes. Like bentō boxes, jūbako are often kept stacked before and after use. Not all parts of Japan, such as Suzu in Ishikawa, practice the custom of eating osechi. Food examples are Sweet Rolled Omelette, Candied Chestnut with Sweet Potatoes, and Candied sardines. 

Kamaboko: Traditional Japanese fish cake made from white fish paste and natural ingredients. Kazuyuki Fujita is well known for eating it. 

Chestnut kinton: Candied Chestnut with Sweet Potatoes 

Datemaki: Rolled omelette mixed with fish paste

Real Japan Pro Wrestling: Run by Tiger Mask I.

Cows pace/snails pace: Usually used in the Japanese Diet to delay a vote, the members will walk extremely slowly to the chamber in order to delay it. 

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