In recent years, the Sumo Association has bent over backward looking to put bums on seats at the six tournaments held annually.
In large part it has succeeded, particularly so in Tokyo, with the past few tournaments seeing more full-house announcements than at any other time in recent memory.
Yet, as happy as the vast majority of fans are with the varied seating options, the huge array of hot and cold food on offer, and off-the-dohyo entertainment options in and around the stadium, all it takes is one gaffe on the part of a current rikishi to break the public trust that has so diligently been rebuilt.