Episode 171: Peaches and Chestnuts Three Years, Persimmons Eight Years, Ace One Hundred Years

October 19, 2026

The other day, I did a public recording of the CBC Radio show Tanahashi Hiroshi's Energy Time at Malera Gifu in Gifu. The guests were Shota Umino and a persimmon farmer from Mizuho City.

Between recordings, at the Dole booth, Umino was wolfing down bananas like crazy. The total count was a whopping 10 bananas! Wrestlers really do eat a lot. Since I'm fond of bananas too... I feel a little jealous of him having such a classic wrestler-like anecdote (laughs).

Now then, during the public recording, I talked with the persimmon farmer, and while we were chatting in the green room after the stage event ended, one thing led to another, and it was arranged for them to send persimmons to the New Japan Pro-Wrestling Dojo.

Actually, persimmons are packed with vitamin C. In the upcoming season, they are a reassuring ally for cold prevention and fatigue recovery. There's even a Japanese proverb that says, "When persimmons turn red, doctors turn blue."

And there's another effect we can look forward to... When wrestlers who come to the Dojo are told by the trainees, "These persimmons are from the President." Hehehe. Nice ground-laying (Nemawashi). Everyone's loyalty will surely grow rapidly too. Hehehe ♪

This word Nemawashi (laying the groundwork) originally comes from the task of transplanting garden trees and fruit trees. Before transplanting a tree, you treat around the roots to prepare new roots to stretch out. It's a crucial preparation to ensure it takes deep root after being transplanted.

A story of laying groundwork starting from a persimmon tree. If I do say so myself, that's a total smash hit. Kakeeeeeen (Crack of the bat)!

By the way, they say "Peaches and chestnuts take three years, persimmons take eight years." My tenure as President is only in its third year. Compared to a persimmon tree, I'm still young and green. I have no choice but to firmly spread my roots without rushing.

A company is the exact same way. Not everything produces instant results right away. Nurturing people, building relationships, and making preparations that connect to the future. I believe that stacking up those efforts will eventually bear great fruit.

Above all, if the wrestlers who put their bodies on the line eat persimmons at the Dojo and condition themselves in high spirits, that's what matters most. As long as there is a feeling of gratitude... No, no, directed toward the persimmon farmer, not me! (laughs)