Month: December 2023

Winter News Update 2023.12.17

Andy Breaking News, Deshi, Jungyo (巡業), Kakuryu (鶴竜) ,

Jungyo is not the only sumo news going on so I have tweaked the format of this weekend’s news update post. We’ll get to Jungyo in a bit but first there are some other sumo-related news topics to mention.

Death of Shikoroyama-Oyakata

Former Sekiwake Terao and master of Shikoroyama heya, Fukuzono Yoshifumi has died. Beloved by sumo fans of the 1980s and 1990s, Terao was known for his slender physique and spirited tsuppari. He began his sumo career in 1980 at his father’s Izutsu-beya, alongside his two brothers, Sakahoko and Kakureizan.

After five years in the lower divisions, he rose to the top division in 1985, establishing himself as a division favorite for the next 15 years. He is a key member of the Hana-no-sanpachi-gumi, wrestlers born during Showa-38 (1963). That list includes former Yokozuna Hokutoumi, Futahaguro and Ozeki Konishiki.

After retirement, he led Shikoroyama-beya where he coached Homasho to the rank of Komusubi as well as yusho-winning Abi. When Homasho retired, he remained attached to the heya as Tatsutagawa-oyakata. His brother, Sakahoko, took on Izutsu-beya and trained Kakuryu before his own death of pancreatic cancer in 2019.

Shikoroyama had been unwell in recent years due to a chronic heart condition and had been kyujo from the recent tournament in November. Abi had come back to Tokyo from where he had been on tour in order to visit with his master in hospital.

When the master of a heya dies, it obviously raises questions about the future of the heya and its wrestlers. At this time it is unclear whether Homasho will take over or whether the wrestlers will be transferred elsewhere. Tachiai will provide an update as developments become clear.

New Recruits

Isegahama-beya and former Yokozuna Kakuryu both had dueling recruitment announcements this past week. Isegahama and Kakuryu poached 18-year-old seniors from Atamifuji’s former high school, Hiryu in Numazu, Shizuoka prefecture. Isegahama claimed Suzuki Ryuichi (185cm, 130kg) while Kakuryu shook hands with Shirasaka Yuto (183cm, 140kg) who will debut with Michinoku-beya but as Kakuryu’s uchi-deshi.

Both gentlemen will debut at Hatsu 2024. That will make for some intriguing mae-zumo bouts and a very interesting Jonokuchi yusho race in March. Kakuryu also made it known that he will branch out from Michinoku at some point to run his own stable.

Kabu Kalculus

Several years ago, Kakuryu had been seen as the likely heir to the Izutsu kabu, in honor of his master. However, that kabu was picked up by Shimanoumi, who is obviously still active in Juryo and has loaned it out to Akiseyama. After the closure of Izutsu beya, Kakuryu and the other Izutsu-beya wrestlers settled into Michinoku-beya. However, the master has made it known that he will not give up the kabu after he turns 65 and must retire next year. He will keep the kabu and stay on for another 5-years as an advisor, as is his right. Suddenly, the Shikoroyama kabu will become available and one wonders if it has traded hands. Who knows? When the dust settles, Kakuryu may end up with the Izutsu kabu after all.

An aside: This practice has always fascinated me. We often assume that capitalism is capitalism, socialism is socialism, and there’s one dogmatic method of doing things when there are actually a myriad of flavors, albeit with common, fundamental tenets — like private ownership. But here in the sumo world we have ownership of the Sumo Kyokai split among former wrestlers, with a cap on the number of shares available. I’ve just been very curious how it would play out if this practice were put in place at, say, US Steel by the likes of J P Morgan and Andrew Carnegie or at Facebook or Apple, or the mom-and-pop greasy spoon down the street. It would be a system where the shares could only be owned by select workers, where eligibility is based on performance criteria, and only the best of the best can…run their own division, let’s say? But I digress…

Winter Jungyo 2023: Week 2

The tour stopped in Ehime prefecture on Shikoku before heading to Hiroshima for two dates and then Osaka this weekend. The tour will continue on for a couple more dates in Central Japan this week before wrapping up in Tochigi before Christmas. In Matsuyama, Atamifuji* got to sit and get his hair done. In Sakai, Osaka, hometown hero Ura got the same treatment with Gonoyama, Ura, and Tobizaru taking turns fielding questions from the audience in Question Corner.

*Correction: an earlier version incorrectly stated that Mitakeumi sat for the oicho-mage demonstration in Matsuyama.

Shin Makushita 2024

hochiyama Makushita (幕下)

The anticipated shin-makushita (新幕下) wrestlers for the Hatsu 2024 tournament will be: Anōshō, Ōyamada, Ōka, Nishida, and Nagamura.  However, before we turn to them, we should see how the crop of Makushita debutants performed in Kyūshū.

A Look Back at Kyushu

The great:  Satorufuji – he won the division as shin-makushita.  He may soon join his fellow Hiryū high stablemate, Atamifuji, in the top division. Isegahama has recruited another Hiryū high prospect, Suzuki, who will join in January. 

The good: Ōnokatsu, who I did not cover as he was given special dispensation to join at Makushita 15 last time.  The Mongolian college Yokozuna from Nittaidai performed well in his debut, with a 5-2 record.  Haruyama also did well, showing that the solid Uni- performers do not really reach a good challenge until the top of division three.

Needs work: Kenshin – actually, his getting a 3-4 record was a bit of a surprise for me.  He is around his peak performance and after so many years in division 4, I figured he would never reach division 3. I figured a big flame out if he ever did – but he was solid.  I enjoyed seeing his sumo, too, in some of the makushita videos I found.

The wheels fell off:  I figured that Kenshin would have a tough time, but also I thought that Asashinjō was ranked well above his abilities.  Expectations were met with a 2-5 record.  The biggest disappointment was 1-6’ Gōnoumi.  The former high-school Yokozuna was overmatched, even against the limited competition he faced (Sadonhikarai, Okinohama, Kenshin, and others).  I am guessing there is more to this story (injury or other reasons) and that he will come back once the issue is resolved.

Looking Ahead to Hatsu

Anōshō (安大翔) is one of the first recruits to come out of the new Ajigawa stable (oyakata is former Aminishiki).  He began sumo in third grade and was a part of Sanbongi Agricultural High School’s team. He finished in the top 8 at the national championships before being scouted by Ajigawa. He is 18 years old and 5’8” (175cm)/ 350 lbs (159kg) wrestler out of Miyagi prefecture.  He made his debut in May 2023 and has shot up the ranks like a rocket. He won the Jonokuchi division in May and Jonidan in July, defeating former Jūryō, Ōki, in the playoff. He has generally fought only against lower division lifers, so this tournament may be the first real challenge he has faced.  He is an oshi sumo specialist. He currently has a lifetime record of 19-2 (.905)

Ōyamada (欧山田) is an interesting recruit out of Naruto-beya. He is already 24 years old, and on the light side at 5’10” (180cm)/ 223 lbs (101kg) and hails from Akita prefecture. He comes from a wrestling background and was on the wrestling clubs at Akita Commercial High School and Yamanashi Gakuin University. He is a former Asian champion in the 86kg freestyle wrestling class – essentially performing at the top levels and even with dreams of representing his country in the Tokyo Olympics. However, he lost in the semifinals of the All-Japan Championships and did not qualify. He made his debut in Natsu 2022 and has only one make-koshi tournament on his way up the banzuke. He aims to “purge himself of lingering regrets” from his wrestling career by joining sumo. Because of his background, he is often interesting to watch as he applies his wrestling techniques on the dōhyō. He currently has a lifetime record of 38-22-3 (.633)

Ōka (鷹翔) is a veteran out of Minato-beya. He made his debut in Natsu 2011, so he has more than 12 years’ experience as a journeyman in the lower divisions. He is now 30 years old and 6’3” (191cm)/ 357 lbs (162 kg). He is from Saitama prefecture and comes out of Hakuyō High School in Utsunomiya, where he was a member of the Judo club.  Here is a short video about his 30th birthday: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PPUWaeY57KQ   It took him over three years to make Sandanme, and he has been in Sandanme exclusively since the March 2016 tournament. His 6-1 record in November was only the third time he has achieved 6 wins in a tournament across his long career. His career record currently stands at 260-258 (.502).  I like to cheer on such veterans who find themselves in a new division after a long-career.

Nishida (西田) is a 19-year old wrestler from Nishonoseki-beya.  He is 5’11’’ (183cm)/ 369lbs (167kg) and hails from Fukuoka prefecture. He made his debut in the Covid-cancelled Haru 2020 tournament. He has been taking sumo for many years, beginning in the second grade at the Tsukiage-cho Boys Sumo Club. While in fourth grade he won third place in the Hakuhō Cup team competition and 16th place in the individual competition. In sixth grade he participated in the All-Japan Elementary School Sumo Championship Tournament. Nishida’s was scouted during his third year of junior high school when he placed second in the junior high division at the “Yoshikaze Sumo Tournament” as he was approached directly by Nakamura Oyakata (former Sekiwake Yoshikaze) and decided to join the Oguruma-beya. Upon closure of Oguruma-beya, he joined Yoshikaze in the move to Nishonoseki-beya. He currently has a career record of 82-65 (.558) and has been steadily rising up the ranks.

Nagamura (長村)  is also 19 years old. Unlike other Hiryū High School prospects (Atamifuji and Satorufuji) he did not join Isegahama and was scouted by Kise-beya. He is 5’7” (172cm)/277 lbs (126kg) and hails from Miyazaki Prefecture. He made his debut in Hatsu 2023.  He began participating in local children’s sumo tournaments in the third grade, but did not really pursue sumo until 6th grade when he want a local sumo tournament and qualified to participate in a nationwide tourney. He joined the Kitakata Sumo Club in elementary school and then attended Nobeoka Sumo Dojo at Nobeoka Minami Junior High.  In his junior year at Hiryū he placed 8th at the National High School Tournament and his team finished in 3rd. He wants to emulate the pushing/thrusting of Takakeishō and the also hails Midorifuji (also Hiryū grad) as a model. Satorufuji is a rival, given their common background. He has a career record of 25-10 (.714).

Winter Jungyo 2023: Week 1

Andy Jungyo (巡業) , ,

For the last week the tour has been island hopping, counter-clockwise, around Kyushu. It started in Kumamoto before heading for Miyazaki, Oita, and Fukuoka before capping off this weekend with two dates in Nagasaki. Next week, the tour will head to Shikoku before landing on Honshu and heading back toward Tokyo. For those wrestlers collecting manhole cover trading cards, these tours give an awesome opportunity to check out their favorites!

Fuyu 2023: The first seven tour dates

Bad news hit the Winter Tour early as both Kirishima and Takakeisho went to the hospital and were forced to limit their participation with flu-like symptoms. Terunofuji was already kyujo. Hoshoryu then also fell victim at the Kikuyo stop. As they say in show business, “The Show Must Go On.” And for the time being, the stars of the show are the native Kyushu wrestlers, such as Sadanoumi, Hiradoumi, and everyone’s favorite Emo-zeki, Shodai.

While researching these venues, I was particularly struck by Yatsushiro’s Myoken Festival featuring a procession of horses and a half-turtle/half-snake called a “ga-meh.” Much of the festival actually occurred during Kyushu basho, and the highlight was on November 23rd — just before the basho’s final weekend as the drama was building between Kirishima and Atamifuji. Nonetheless, Yatsushiro may have been chosen as the first stop on the tour because of the importance of this festival, which concluded on December 1, as well as being Takakento’s hometown. If you have a spare 4.5 hours (since there is no hon-basho, I know you do) there is great footage of the 2019 event to see above. Better yet, if you are ever in Kyushu for the tournament, you might want to check out the Yatsushiro Myokensai for yourself!

Miyazaki-city food porn

On December 4, the tour stayed in Kumamoto prefecture but shifted over to a town called, Kikuyo. and then headed down to Miyazaki. Judging by the short video above, our favorite wrestlers were able to enjoy amazing food, especially wagyu beef. Miyazaki prefecture awards the Makuuchi yusho winner (Kirishima) with a head of their famous cattle as well as a ton of fresh produce.

In Oita, visitors would also be able to check out the Oita Prefectural Art Museum (OPAM). Running from November to January 21, is a very interesting exhibition, “Thermae: Ancient Rome, Japan, and the Joy of Bathing.” I am sure Takakeisho checked it out while they were in town. Guided tours on some days are offered but likely in Japanese, only. From here, it’s back to Kasuga in Fukuoka. I imagine that is to pick up more Amaō strawberries and mentaiko (presented as yusho prizes from the prefecture and city of Fukuoka).

Sasebo basho highlights

The wrestlers ended up this weekend in Nagasaki for two tour dates, Sasebo-city and Omura-city. Unfortunately, a few wrestlers are kyujo from the final Nagoya event, including Kinbozan, Takakento, and Chiyosakae. Hopefully everyone’s health cooperates as we enter another week of this tour. Sasebo city has an Open Data portal which I will be exploring for the next week, as well as Hirado. As I mentioned before, Ehime in Shikoku is next on the Jungyo calendar. The tour will then head toward Osaka on its way back to Tokyo.

Kyushu Honbasho Wrap-up

Andy Kyushu 2023, Kyushu Basho, Retirement, Yūshō (優勝) , , ,

The tournament is over but we know that the Makuuchi yusho is not the final sumo thing for the year. There was still quite a bit of news coming out of Fukuoka this week and I wanted to take a moment to cover that in this news brief. Yes, we had the final tournament results and top division special prizes but we also had a group of retirements, Juryo promotions, and we now turn to Winter Jungyo!

Kyushu Hardware Distribution

As far as the yusho, we got a thrilling showdown between Kirishima and Atamifuji on Day 14, which Kirishima won, convincingly. Then he defeated Takakeisho on Senshuraku to seal his 13-2 title and claim the Golden Macaron. Ichiyamamoto, Kotonowaka, and Atamifuji won Fighting Spirit prizes. No technique prize was awarded and only Atamifuji had a shot at Outstanding Performance but he would have had to win the yusho.

In the lower divisions, we have an interesting group of yusho winners. As Leonid covered previously, the Juryo title was claimed by Kotoshoho. He had a tough go of things in the top division but has surely reclaimed a spot there with an exciting victory over Onosato (actually two). The video below has a replay from their playoff, as well as footage from the yusho award ceremony. As Leonid also covered, Satorufuji won the Makushita yusho. Daishoryu, Dairinzan, and Aonishiki won the Sandanme, Jonidan, and Jonokuchi titles, respectively.

Retirements

The Kyokai announced seven wrestlers who retired during the tournament.

Daijo debuted in 2007 and reached Makushita for the first time in 2013 before falling back into Sandanme. He climbed back into Makushita two more times, in 2017 and 2018, peaking at Makushita 43. Kototakuya debuted in 2018 and cracked into Makushita in the summer of last year, spending much of his career in Sandanme, and much of that career in the wild pandemic era. Kirizakura called “time” on a career that began in the Spring of 1999. At 176cm and 92kg, he fought his entire career in the lower divisions, peaking at Sandanme 69 in May of 2011 (a rather contentious time).

Chiyoshishi‘s retirement was known prior to the basho as a result of the unfortunate underage drinking scandal during the Aki Jungyo. Tamanowaka began his career in 2018, peaking in Jonidan. Young Itoga had a short sumo career, starting in May of this year, and retiring after clinching his first kachi-koshi in September, and promotion to Jonidan. Similarly, Raikisho made a short effort, spending much time banzuke-gai and peaking in Jonidan.

Juryo Promotions

Leonid was spot on with his predictions for the Juryo promotions. Takerufuji and Oshoumi have earned their first-time promotions while Hakuyozan and Tochimusashi return.

Winter Jungyo Preparations

The winter jungyo tour kicks off tomorrow in Yatsushiro, Kumamoto. This first week of the tour will hop around Kyushu with dates in Kumamoto, Miyazaki, Oita, and Fukuoka prefectures before spending next weekend in Nagasaki. Afterwards, they will pop over to Shikoku in Ehime, before going back to Honshu at Hiroshima and spending a few days around Osaka, Hyogo, and finally closing out the tour on Christmas Eve in Tochigi. From there, we’ll surely see a lot of New Year holiday events back in Tokyo. I’ll give weekly updates of the tour events and the holiday happenings leading into Hatsu basho!