Toshiyori
Encyclopedia
A toshiyori is a sumo
elder
of the Japan Sumo Association
. Also known as oyakata, former wrestlers who reached a sufficiently high rank are the only people eligible. The benefits are considerable, as only toshiyori are allowed to run and coach in sumo stables, known as heya
, and they are also the only former rikishi given retirement pay.
To become an elder, a retiring wrestler must have fought at least one tournament
in the sanyaku ranks, or else twenty tournaments in the top makuuchi
division or thirty as a sekitori
(makuuchi or juryo division). However, membership can only be obtained by purchasing toshiyori-kabu, or elder stock, in the Japan Sumo Association. There are only 105 shares available for purchase, and the increasing lifespan of elders has meant that they take longer to become vacant. As a result, their decreasing availability has caused their price to greatly increase, with stock now reportedly selling for up to 500 million yen. Often the only way wrestlers, even very successful ones, can afford a share is if they have a large and wealthy group of supporters and financial backers.
An exception to the purchase requirement is made for the most successful former yokozuna who may be offered a one-time membership of the Association. Three former wrestlers, Taihō
, Kitanoumi and Takanohana obtained this status. A fourth, Chiyonofuji, was offered this status but preferred a normal share. These four all achieved more than twenty tournament championships in their active career.
Alternatively, any former yokozuna can stay in the Japan Sumo Association for up to five years under their shikona
or ring name, while former ōzeki can stay for three. Musashimaru and Tochiazuma were current examples in 2008. Ex wrestlers below that rank, since the abolition of the jun-toshiyori system in December 2006, have no such grace period and must leave the sumo world permanently unless they have either already purchased a share or can borrow one from a rikishi still active in the ring. It is not uncommon for a former wrestler to go through several elder name over the years while searching for a permanent one. Former sekiwake Kotonishiki for example, was in 2008 borrowing Kaio
's Asakayama elder name, having previously used the Takenawa and Wakamatsu name.
All toshiyori have a mandatory retirement age of 65. It is rare for a man with a permanent toshiyori name to leave before that time, but former yokozuna Wajima
was asked to resign in 1985 after putting up his stock as collateral on a loan, and former komusubi Futatsuryu, head of Tokitsukaze stable
, was expelled in 2007 because of his involvement in the death of one of his young recruits.
Promotion up to iin occurs almost exclusively by seniority and is generally a fairly quick process; the majority of all elders are ranked as iin. Two exceptions apply: Elders using a borrowed share cannot be promoted from toshiyori, while very successful former wrestlers (generally, yokozuna and ōzeki) immediately receive full iin privileges as iin taigu toshiyori upon their retirement from active competition, even before their normal advancement up the ladder will take them to shunin and later iin status.
Furthermore, the fuku-riji and riji positions require a nomination for and subsequent election to the Association Board
(or direct confirmation in case there are no more candidates than positions), with elections being held biennially. Yakuin taigu iin are named to their position by the chief director.
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...
elder
Elder (administrative title)
The term Elder is used in several different countries and organizations to indicate a position of authority...
of the Japan Sumo Association
Japan Sumo Association
The is the body that operates and controls professional sumo wrestling in Japan under the jurisdiction of the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology. Rikishi , gyōji , tokoyama , and yobidashi , are all on the Association's payroll, but the organisation is run...
. Also known as oyakata, former wrestlers who reached a sufficiently high rank are the only people eligible. The benefits are considerable, as only toshiyori are allowed to run and coach in sumo stables, known as heya
Heya
In sumo wrestling, a heya , usually translated into English as stable, is an organization of sumo wrestlers where they train and live. All wrestlers in professional sumo must belong to one. There are currently 49 heya , all but four of which belong to one of five ichimon...
, and they are also the only former rikishi given retirement pay.
To become an elder, a retiring wrestler must have fought at least one tournament
Honbasho
A is an official professional sumo tournament. There are six held each year, a system established in 1958. Only honbasho results matter in determining promotion and relegation for rikishi ....
in the sanyaku ranks, or else twenty tournaments in the top makuuchi
Makuuchi
or is the top division of professional sumo. Its size is fixed at 42 wrestlers , ordered into five ranks according to their ability as defined by their performance in previous tournaments....
division or thirty as a 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...
(makuuchi or juryo division). However, membership can only be obtained by purchasing toshiyori-kabu, or elder stock, in the Japan Sumo Association. There are only 105 shares available for purchase, and the increasing lifespan of elders has meant that they take longer to become vacant. As a result, their decreasing availability has caused their price to greatly increase, with stock now reportedly selling for up to 500 million yen. Often the only way wrestlers, even very successful ones, can afford a share is if they have a large and wealthy group of supporters and financial backers.
An exception to the purchase requirement is made for the most successful former yokozuna who may be offered a one-time membership of the Association. Three former wrestlers, Taihō
Taiho Koki
Taihō Kōki is the 48th Yokozuna in the Japanese sport of sumo wrestling. He is generally regarded as the greatest sumo wrestler of the post-war period. He became a yokozuna in 1961 at the age of 21, the youngest ever at the time, and he won a record 32 tournaments between 1960 and 1971...
, Kitanoumi and Takanohana obtained this status. A fourth, Chiyonofuji, was offered this status but preferred a normal share. These four all achieved more than twenty tournament championships in their active career.
Alternatively, any former yokozuna can stay in the Japan Sumo Association for up to five years under their shikona
Shikona
A shikona is a sumo wrestler's ring name.As with standard Japanese names, a shikona consists of a 'surname' and a 'given' name, and the full name is written surname first. However, the given name is rarely used outside formal or ceremonial occasions. Thus, the former yokozuna Asashōryū Akinori is...
or ring name, while former ōzeki can stay for three. Musashimaru and Tochiazuma were current examples in 2008. Ex wrestlers below that rank, since the abolition of the jun-toshiyori system in December 2006, have no such grace period and must leave the sumo world permanently unless they have either already purchased a share or can borrow one from a rikishi still active in the ring. It is not uncommon for a former wrestler to go through several elder name over the years while searching for a permanent one. Former sekiwake Kotonishiki for example, was in 2008 borrowing Kaio
Kaio Hiroyuki
Kaiō Hiroyuki is a former professional sumo wrestler from Nōgata, Fukuoka, Japan.He made his debut in 1988, reaching the top makuuchi division in 1993. He held the second highest rank of ōzeki or champion for eleven years from 2000 to 2011, and is the longest-serving ozeki of all time in terms of...
's Asakayama elder name, having previously used the Takenawa and Wakamatsu name.
All toshiyori have a mandatory retirement age of 65. It is rare for a man with a permanent toshiyori name to leave before that time, but former yokozuna Wajima
Wajima Hiroshi
is a former sumo wrestler and professional wrestler from Nanao, Ishikawa, Japan. He was sumo's 54th Yokozuna. He won a total of 14 tournament championships or yusho during his career and retired in March 1981....
was asked to resign in 1985 after putting up his stock as collateral on a loan, and former komusubi Futatsuryu, head of Tokitsukaze stable
Tokitsukaze stable
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...
, was expelled in 2007 because of his involvement in the death of one of his young recruits.
Ranking
Much like other staff members of the Sumo Association (such as referees and ushers), elders are also subject to a rank structure; only the lowest-ranking members are strictly known as toshiyori. The ranks are as follows:- rijicho (chief director, primus inter paresPrimus inter paresPrimus inter pares is Latin phrase describing the most senior person of a group sharing the same rank or office.When not used in reference to a specific title, it may indicate that the person so described is formally equal, but looked upon as an authority of special importance by their peers...
among riji) - riji (director)
- fuku-riji (vice director)
- yakuin taigu iin (executive member)
- iin (committee member)
- shunin (senior member)
- iin taigu toshiyori (elder receiving iin privileges)
- toshiyori (elder)
Promotion up to iin occurs almost exclusively by seniority and is generally a fairly quick process; the majority of all elders are ranked as iin. Two exceptions apply: Elders using a borrowed share cannot be promoted from toshiyori, while very successful former wrestlers (generally, yokozuna and ōzeki) immediately receive full iin privileges as iin taigu toshiyori upon their retirement from active competition, even before their normal advancement up the ladder will take them to shunin and later iin status.
Furthermore, the fuku-riji and riji positions require a nomination for and subsequent election to the Association Board
Japan Sumo Association
The is the body that operates and controls professional sumo wrestling in Japan under the jurisdiction of the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology. Rikishi , gyōji , tokoyama , and yobidashi , are all on the Association's payroll, but the organisation is run...
(or direct confirmation in case there are no more candidates than positions), with elections being held biennially. Yakuin taigu iin are named to their position by the chief director.