Konisihiki Kapers

My Autographed Konishiki Sumoworld Issue

Working at a Record Store in Hawaii, we’ve had quite a few local artists come in for autograph sessions or in-store performances, ranging from well known artists (Israel Kamakawiwo’ole) to lesser known acts, but none quite as unusual as the time in 2000 when retired Sumo Wrestling sensation Konishiki had a signing to promote his new project: debuting as a singer on his first music CD simply called "Simply Sale" Sale, of course, short for his real name, Saleva'a Atisanoe.

 We had set up a display table loaded with his CDs and posters to get signed, but I knew there was only one thing I wanted autographed- a copy of Sumo World I had with Konishiki on the cover, purchased back in the days when I really was invested in Sumo. Only problem was, I wasn’t going to be in town when he had the signing! One of my co-workers Holly told me that she didn’t care much for Konishiki one way or the other, but she had to attend the signing because her Granny loved Konishiki and told her she HAD to get his autograph for her.  I was about to ask her if she wouldn't mind taking my magazine to get signed, too, when my manager said, “Don’t worry, Give me the magazine, and I’ll make sure he autographs it for you!” Okay, I could relax!
 Upon my arrival back at work the following week, my manager presented me with the autographed Sumo World issue (you see scanned above) and a little story: He said that everyone was getting the Music CD and posters signed, and when there was a lull in the crowd, he brought out my magazine and told Konishiki, “My artist is a big fan of yours but couldn’t be here and wondered if you could sign this for him.” Konishiki took one look at the magazine, and with a big smile said “WHOA! This is a CLASSIC!” He happily signed it and then went back to signing the music CDs.
  Later that day I saw my friend Holly and asked her if she got her granny Konishiki’s autograph. She said “I went up to him and told him I wanted an autographed poster for my Grandmother. He signed one, handed it to me, and then said, Well, What about one for YOU?”  I was cornered and so I mumbled, “Ummm… Okay.” “So yeah,  I ended up with one for myself." LOLOL, Oh MAN, we all started cracking up! She got stuck with an autograph she didn’t care about, and I ended up with one that I’m pretty happy to have!
Posted by zdorama @ zdoramaagain.blogspot.com