Azumazeki stable

The Sumida premises in 2014
The Sumida premises in 2014

Azumazeki stable (東関部屋, Azumazeki-beya) was a stable of sumo wrestlers, part of the Takasago group of stables. It was founded in February 1986 by the Hawaiian born Takamiyama of the Takasago stable in Higashi–Komagata, Sumida, Tokyo. It was the first stable ever to be run by a foreign-born coach.[1] Azumazeki's first sekitori was Akebono, also from Hawaii, in 1990, who subsequently reached the yokozuna rank.[1] A total of nine foreign born wrestlers have fought for the stable: seven from the United States, one from Great Britain and one (Kosei) from China who retired in January 2017. The stable's first Japanese sekitori was Takamisakari. As of January 2021 it had seven wrestlers.

The former Takamiyama reached the mandatory retirement age of 65 in June 2009 and was succeeded by Ushiomaru who announced his retirement from active competition after the May tournament. In 2012 it absorbed Nakamura stable when Takamiyama's former stablemate Fujizakura retired as a coach upon turning 65.

In February 2018 the stable moved from Sumida to larger premises in Shibamata District, Katsushika. The opening was celebrated at the Ryōgoku Kokugikan with around 500 guests from the sumo world.[2] The move was encouraged by the Katsushika ward, to help increase tourism.[3]

Azumazeki-oyakata died in December 2019 at the age of 41,[4] and after the January 2020 tournament the former Takamisakari took over as Azumazeki-oyakata. However, this was on a provisional basis for one year only,[5] and the Sumo Association announced the closure of the stable on April 1, 2021 due to no permanent successor to Ushiomaru being found, with the personnel moving to Hakkaku stable.[6]

The stable's premises were briefly used by Futagoyama stable. The original building used prior to 2018 still exists and was used for Kaonishiki's retirement ceremony in May 2021. Since 2022, the old Sumida building is home to the Miyagino stable.

Ring name conventions

Some wrestlers at this stable took ring names or shikona that begin with the characters 高見 (read: takami), meaning high and view, in deference to the coach and owner, the former Takamiyama. Examples include Takamisato and Takamiryū.

Owner

Notable former members

Kaōnishiki was the only wrestler at the stable with sekitori experience at its closure in 2021, and the last wrestler recruited by founder Takamiyama

Referee

  • Kimura Yōnosuke (makuuchi gyōji, real name Masashi Okuno)

Usher

  • Daikichi (makuuchi yobidashi, real name Yūji Ōba)

Hairdressers

  • Tokokei (third class tokoyama)

Location and Access

  • 2018–2021: 2-10-13 Shibamata, Katsushika Ward, Tokyo Prefecture 125-0052
  • 1986–2018: Tokyo, Sumida Ward, Higashi Komagata 4-6-4

3 minute walk from Honjo-Azumabashi Station on Toei Asakusa Line

Contact Information

Phone number: 03-5876-5713

Fax number: 03-5876-5714

Email: [email protected]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b Gunning, John (17 March 2021). "Fall of Azumazeki stable represents tragic loss for professional sumo". Japan Times. Retrieved 18 March 2021.
  2. ^ 東関部屋が移転　両国国技館で祝賀会　大相撲 (in Japanese). At Shizuoka. 19 February 2018. Archived from the original on 20 February 2018. Retrieved 20 February 2018.
  3. ^ Gunning, John (16 January 2019). "Sumo 101: Stable locations and layout". Japan Times. Retrieved 18 January 2019.
  4. ^ "元幕内・潮丸の東関親方を高砂一門葬". Hochi (in Japanese). 17 December 2019. Retrieved 18 December 2019.
  5. ^ "東関部屋が春場所を最後に閉鎖か、継承者選びが難航". Nikkan Sports (in Japanese). 9 March 2021. Retrieved 9 March 2021.
  6. ^ "Sumo: 1st stable run by foreign-born elder to shut its doors". Kyodo News. 12 March 2021. Retrieved 12 March 2021.

35°42′23″N 139°48′19″E / 35.7064°N 139.8054°E / 35.7064; 139.8054