Tokitsukaze stable
Encyclopedia
The is a stable of sumo
wrestlers, one of the Tokitsukaze group of stables. It was originally founded in 1769 and was dominant during the Taishō period
. In its modern form it dates from 1941 when it was established by Futabayama, who was still an active wrestler at the time. Initially known as Futabayama Dojo, it was officially named Tokitsukaze stable in November 1945 when Futabayama retired. Upon Futabayama's death in 1968 the former Kagamisato took charge for a short time, but Futabayama's widow wanted Yutakayama Katsuo
to take over, which he did upon his retirement in 1969. He in turn passed control of the stable on to his successor Futatsuryu in August 2002. As of March 2008, it had ten active wrestlers. It is currently one of the most successful stables, with four sekitori
.
The death of 17 year-old junior member Tokitaizan (real name Takashi Saito
) on June 26, 2007, eventually resulted in the dismissal of the head of the stable, Tokitsukaze (real name Junichi Yamamoto). This compelled Tokitsuumi, a long time top division wrestler from the stable, to retire from active sumo and take over as the new head of the stable.
Sumo
is a competitive full-contact sport where a wrestler attempts to force another wrestler out of a circular ring or to touch the ground with anything other than the soles of the feet. The sport originated in Japan, the only country where it is practiced professionally...
wrestlers, one of the Tokitsukaze group of stables. It was originally founded in 1769 and was dominant during the Taishō period
Taisho period
The , or Taishō era, is a period in the history of Japan dating from July 30, 1912 to December 25, 1926, coinciding with the reign of the Taishō Emperor. The health of the new emperor was weak, which prompted the shift in political power from the old oligarchic group of elder statesmen to the Diet...
. In its modern form it dates from 1941 when it was established by Futabayama, who was still an active wrestler at the time. Initially known as Futabayama Dojo, it was officially named Tokitsukaze stable in November 1945 when Futabayama retired. Upon Futabayama's death in 1968 the former Kagamisato took charge for a short time, but Futabayama's widow wanted Yutakayama Katsuo
Yutakayama Katsuo
Yutakayama Katsuo is a former sumo wrestler from Niigata, Japan. His highest rank was ozeki. Although he never managed to win a top division tournament championship he was a runner-up on eight occasions...
to take over, which he did upon his retirement in 1969. He in turn passed control of the stable on to his successor Futatsuryu in August 2002. As of March 2008, it had ten active wrestlers. It is currently one of the most successful stables, with four sekitori
Sekitori
A sekitori is a sumo wrestler who is ranked in one of the top two professional divisions: makuuchi and juryo.Currently there are 70 rikishi in these divisions...
.
The death of 17 year-old junior member Tokitaizan (real name Takashi Saito
Takashi Saito (sumo wrestler)
The Tokitsukaze stable hazing scandal occurred on June 26, 2007, when a seventeen-year old junior sumo wrestler who fought under the shikona of Tokitaizan, collapsed and died after a training session at the Tokitsukaze stable. It subsequently emerged that he was beaten with a beer bottle and a...
) on June 26, 2007, eventually resulted in the dismissal of the head of the stable, Tokitsukaze (real name Junichi Yamamoto). This compelled Tokitsuumi, a long time top division wrestler from the stable, to retire from active sumo and take over as the new head of the stable.
Tokitsukaze-oyakata
- 12th: Tokitsukaze Sadaji (former yokozuna Futabayama) 1941-68
- 13th: Tokitsukaze Kiyoji (former yokozuna Kagamisato) 1968-69
- 14th: Tokitsukaze Katsuo (former ozeki Yutakayama KatsuoYutakayama KatsuoYutakayama Katsuo is a former sumo wrestler from Niigata, Japan. His highest rank was ozeki. Although he never managed to win a top division tournament championship he was a runner-up on eight occasions...
) 1969-2002 - 15th: Tokitsukaze Junichi (former komusubi Futatsuryū) 2002-2007
- 16th: Tokitsukaze Masahiro (former maegashira Tokitsuumi) 2007-
Active wrestlers with makuuchi experience
- ToyonoshimaToyonoshima DaikiToyonoshima Daiki is a professional sumo wrestler from Sukumo, Kōchi, Japan. He made his professional debut in January 2002, reaching the top makuuchi division in September 2004. He has been a runner-up in three tournaments, and has earned eight special prizes...
(former sekiwake) - TokitenkuTokitenku YoshiakiTokitenkū Yoshiaki is a sumo wrestler. He made his professional debut in 2002, reaching the top makuuchi division just two years later. The highest rank he has reached is komusubi, which he has held for just two tournaments so far. He has one special prize, for Technique...
(former komusubi) - Tosayutaka (maegashira)
Famous former wrestlers
- Kitabayama (former ozeki)
- KuramaKurama TatsuyaKurama Tatsuya was a sumo wrestler from Yasu, Shiga Prefecture, Japan. He fought under his real name for his entire career, never adopting a traditional shikona. He made his debut for the Tokitsukaze stable in September 1968, retiring 21 years later in September 1989, at which point he was the...
(former sekiwake) - OshioOshio KenjiŌshio Kenji is a former sumo wrestler from Kitakyushu, Japan. His highest rank was komusubi. His career lasted twenty six years, from 1962 until 1988, and he holds the record for the most bouts contested in professional sumo.-Career:He was born in Yahata Higashi ward...
(former komusubi) - Yutakayama HiromitsuYutakayama HiromitsuYutakayama Hiromitsu is a former sumo wrestler from Shibata, Niigata, Japan. A former amateur champion at Tonodai University, he joined the professional sport in March 1970, debuting in the third highest makushita division...
(former komusubi)
Toshiyori
- Edagawa Hideki (former maegashira Aogiyama)
- Nishikijima Toshimasa (former maegashira Zaonishiki)