This morning in Tokyo, officials from the Nihon Sumo Kyokai brought official word that Georgian sumotori Tochinoshin had been promoted to Ozeki. After an amazing 37 wins over the last three basho, the former Sekiwake had over-achieved almost every promotion criteria. As is customary for these announcements, the officials from the NSK take one side of the raised platform, with the promotee, his Oyakata and his wife take the other.
As far as I could tell, Tochinoshin did not utter a traditional 4 glyph motto, but did state “I will follow and revere my Oyakata’s instructions, and act as a role model for other rikishi. I will train hard.”.
Additional details available from NHK
Thanks for posting this.
The only other rikishi to start a successful ozeki run with a yusho from maegashira was Kaiketsu (and it was his second go at the rank). If we permit the run to start with a jun-yusho from maegashira then we can Futahaguro to the list.
may Tochinoshin stay healthy so he can perform at the sumo highest level for at least 5 more years, which he is able to be doing regularly as we all see in the 13 wins.
His sumo has been truly fantastic to watch over the past 3-4 basho, and he’s made the leadership race a lot more competitive and interesting. Enormous fan of his sumo and hope he can enjoy more success! What a comeback story.
Congrats to the big ‘Shin!
Apparently mentioning your oyakata in this formal speech is rare, but Tochinoshin insisted on it to show his gratitude, while Kasugano-oyakata, who was against being mentioned, repeated that he tried to keep the language as simple as he could to match T’s Japanese skills.
At 51 seconds there are two fishes in the frame – Tochi is holding one and the other is stage left, in front of Oyakata’s wife. Does anybody know what species of fish these are? Also is two normal for Ozeki, or is one a special prize?
So many details in Sumo!
It’s a Red Sea Bream. It’s name is a pun on “congratulations” in Japanese. It’s become customary as a congratulatory symbol in the sumo world now. They are also hideously expensive.
More here: Who, What, Why: Why do Japanese politicians wave fish?
To piggy-back on Bruce’s reply, It is “Tai” (Sea Bream also called Red Snapper). The color red has special significance in Japanese culture – luck, fortune, achievement – as you also see with the red rope for former Yokozuna’s 60th birthday celebration.
Thank You Bruce and Andy. I recall hearing Sea Bream, but that didn’t match google images. Red Sea Bream makes perfect sense!
Love the link to fish and other good luck symbols of politicians.