Takakeisho Ozeki Promotion Video

Bruce H Haru Basho 2019 (Osaka), Takakeishō (貴景勝), Ōzeki (大関) ,
Takakeisho Promotion – Courtesy of NHK’s Twitter Feed

Through the magic of the internet, we bring you a brief clip courtesy of NHK of the actual ceremony where the sumo elders delivered the good news that Takakeisho had been promoted to Ozeki. Rather than deliver any kind of yojijukugo acceptance phrase, Takakeisho stuck to literal Japanese to express is commitment to sumo, to his new rank, and his stable. As per Herouth’s translation:

  • “Not to shame the title of Ozeki”
  • “Respect the spirit of Bushido”
  • “Always remember to be thankful and considerate”

While not compact, pithy and represented by 4 lovely characters, I do like the intent of his words. I hope he reigns well and long as an Ozeki, and extracts a never ending stream of white stars from everyone around him.

Folks are already wondering if he is on track for some kind of Yokozuna billet, and I will just say that these discussions are extremely premature. While I truly enjoy Takakeisho’s sumo, and I think the whole tadpole concept is interesting, he need to greatly diversify his sumo to be able to be a dominant Ozeki, let alone consider advancement.

Necessity being the mother of invention, I am keen to see what he comes up with. I think Takakeisho would very much like to try for higher rank, and he may find ways to surprise us.

Juryo for Natsu

lksumo Haru Basho 2019 (Osaka), Juryo (十両)
Churanoumi accepting the Makushita yusho

The new promotions to Juryo have been announced (since these represent a change to sekitori status, they’re made public early, like Ozeki and Yokozuna promotions but unlike the rest of the banzuke, so that those promoted can appropriately prepare for their new rank).

The three rikishi joining the salaried ranks are: Ms1 Irodori, making his sekitori debut, Makushita yusho winner Ms5 Churanoumi, and M3 Seiro.

Although the corresponding demotions from Juryo are not announced until the full banzuke comes out, it is easy to read the tea leaves. Dropping down to Makushita in May will be J14 Daiseido (3-12), J13 Takanofuji (6-9), and J10 Wakamotoharu (5-10).

Here’s a shot at what the Natsu Juryo banzuke may look like (Makuuchi demotions in bold, Makushita promotions in italic). Toyonoshima and Ikioi should be able to return to Makuuchi quickly with winning records if they can fix what ailed them in Osaka, while Yutakayama and Chiyonokuni have longer roads ahead of them.

  East West
J1 Toyonoshima (M14w 5-10) Ikioi (M9w 2-13)
J2 Takagenji (J4e 8-7) Wakatakakage (J5e 8-7)
J3 Kyokushuho (J6e 8-7) Daiamami (J3w 7-8)
J4 Azumaryu (J7e 8-7) Takanosho (J13e 11-4)
J5 Sokokurai (J7w 8-7) Kotoyuki (J2e 5-10)
J6 Gagamaru (J8e 8-7) Hidenoumi (J10e 9-6)
J7 Kyokutaisei (J9e 8-7) Daishomaru (J5w 6-9)
J8 Yutakayama (M16w 3-12) Mitoryu (J12e 9-6)
J9 Tsurugisho (J6w 6-9) Choyonoumi (J8w 7-8)
J10 Chiyonokuni (M12e 0-0-15) Aminishiki (J11w 8-7)
J11 Arawashi (J12w 8-7) Kiribayama (J14w 9-6)
J12 Churanoumi (Ms5 7-0) Hakuyozan (J3e 3-7-5)
J13 Tobizaru (J11e 7-8) Irodori (Ms1e 5-2)
J14 Seiro (Ms3w 6-1) Akiseyama (J9w 5-10)

Ozeki promotion acceptance phrases

Herouth Japanese Culture, promotion ,

In a few hours, two representatives of the NSK will arrive at Chiganoura beya, wearing formal kimono, and formally inform Takakeisho of his promotion to Ozeki. He will bow, flanked by his oyakata and okami-san (stablemaster’s wife), and formally accept the honor.

The most recently promoted (and now demoted) Ozeki, Tochinoshin, uttering his phrase

Part of this formal acceptance speech is a phrase which is supposed to express the spirit in which the rikishi wants to undertake his new duty. This phrase is often a four-character set phrase (yojijukugo), but that’s not mandatory.

Sumo fans are speculating on the phrase Takakeisho will choose to use in his acceptance ceremony, and the Japanese media published all the phrases used by all Ozeki who were promoted in the Heisei era. I thought I’d share the list with Tachiai’s readers.

YearOzekiPhraseReadingMeaning
1990Kirishima一生懸命isshōkenmeiWith all my might
1992Akebono名を汚さぬようna o yogosanu yōNot to disgrace the title [of Ozeki]
1993Takanohana
不撓不屈futō-fukutsuIndomitable, Unyielding
1993Wakanohana一意専心ichiisenshinWholeheartedly
1994Takanonami勇往邁進yūōmaishinPush forward
1994Musashimaru日本の心を持ってnippon no kokoro o motteWith a Japanese heart
1999Chiyotaikai名を汚さぬよう(See Akebono)
1999Dejima力のもののふを目指しchikara no mononofu o mezashiAim to be a warrior of strength
2000Musoyama正々堂々seisei-dōdōOpen and aboveboard
2000Miyabiyama初心を忘れず
Shoshin o wasurezuAlways remember my initial resolve
2000Kaio地位を汚さぬようchii o yogosanu yōNot to disgrace the status [of ozeki]
2001Tochiazuma名に恥じぬようna ni hajinu yōNot to shame the title [of ozeki]
2002Asashoryu一生懸命(See Kirishima)
2005Kotooshu名に恥じぬようにna ni hajinu yō ni(See Tochiazuma)
2006Hakuho全身全霊zenshin-zenreiBody and Soul
2007Kotomitsuki力戦奮闘rikisenfuntō
Fighting with all my might
2008Harumafuji全身全霊(See Hakuho)
2010Baruto栄誉ある地位を汚さぬようeiyo aru chii wo yogosanu yōNot to disgrace the honorable status [of ozeki]
2011Kotoshogiku万理一空banri ikkūMany principles under one sky
2011Kisenosato名を汚さぬよう(See Akebono)
2012Kakuryu喜んでもらえるようなyorokonde moraeru yōnaTo be able to make people happy
2014Goeido大和魂を貫いて
Yamato-damashi o tsuranuiteTo carry on the Japanese spirit
2015Terunofuji心技体の充実に努めshin-gi-tai no jūjitsu ni tsutomeWork to bring heart, technique and body to the utmost
2017Takayasu正々堂々(See Musoyama)
2018Tochinoshin力士の手本rikishi no tehonA role model for rikishi

Some of these are quite unique. Dejima’s “chikara no mononofu” is actually written as 力の士 – the kanji that make up the word “rikishi” – “a man/warrior/samurai of power”. It’s not usually pronounced “mononofu”.

Kotoshogiku’s phrase is a kind of Zen phrase, which famously appeared in the “Book of Five Rings” by Miyamoto Musashi. Its meaning is unclear and is supposed to be something to ponder as you prepare for a challenge.

Personally, I really like Kakuryu’s artless phrase. All he wants is to make people happy!

So, with a few hours to go, what kind of resolve or feeling do you think Takakeisho’s phrase will express?

Takakeisho’s Upcoming Ozeki Promotion

Bruce H Takakeishō (貴景勝), Ōzeki (大関)
Abema TV’s Takakeisho Title Card

Following his 10-5 finish at Haru, he was once again eligible for promotion to Ozeki. His first eligibility came following the Hatsu 2019 tournament, when he had reached 33 wins over the 3 prior tournaments (Aki 9-6, Kyushu 13-2. Hatsu 11-4), but the sumo elders declared that his sumo was not ready for the Ozeki rank, citing his final day loss to Goeido. For more details…

Takakeisho – Ozeki Denied (For Now)

But at the close of Haru, he had added another double digit winning record to his roster, and this time the word from the sumo elders was that his promotion to Ozeki would be approved. Ounomatsu Oyakata and Hakkaku Rijicho were quoted on day 15 as saying that the promotion would be approved, and sumo fans around the world are eagerly awaiting the anticipated photos of Takakeisho, in formal black kimono, microphones on the floor with all present performing a saikeirei. Later, it will be time for Takakeisho to hoist “the fish” in triumph.

Beside the expected, there are a few things that might happen. First, there may be a change of shikona. This is not uncommon that as a rikishi moves higher in rank, their change their names to reflect their status. Takakeisho was once known as Sato, until he broke into Makuuchi, and he took the name Takakeisho. In the time since that promotion, Takakeisho has joined the Chiganoura heya, and it’s possible that he may take a new shikona out of respect for Chiganoura.

There is also a customary “acceptance phrase” or motto, that is represented both by words and by meaningful glyphs in kanji. Some folks (mostly in Japan) put significance in this phrase, and Tachiai is curious to see what Takakeisho might choose.

In the broader context, the timing of this 22 year old rikishi achieving the Ozeki rank might be cited in years hence as a further marker on this evolutionary period. With a new imperial period starting in May and the possibility of the Hakuho facing a career ending injury, we have a strong, fierce young man stepping into sumo’s second highest rank. He is the first of the “tadpole” cohort to ascend to this level, and we think it portends great things for sumo.

Team Tachiai wishes young Takakeisho well, and look forward to his powerful sumo for years to come.