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Sources

• Toshiyori ja wiki article
• List of toshiyori shares via ja wikipedia article
• Toshiyori kabu inheritance rules via ja Wiki article
• Kotobank
• Kotobank terminology
• Sports Hochi following HSH forced retirement
• Asahi Shimbun elder stock
• Asahi 2
• Asahi 3 ("it's like nothing happened")
• Asahi 4
• Nikkan 2022 article on toshiyori
• record number in share vacancy
• kabu possession setteled in court
• this
• Nippon.com
• Hakuho under the light at time of retirement

A toshiyori (年寄), also known as an oyakata (親方), is a sumo elder exercising both coaching functions with active wrestlers and responsibilities within the Japan Sumo Association (JSA). All toshiyori are former wrestlers who reached a sufficiently high rank to be eligible to this status. 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 wrestlers given retirement pay.

Designations

There are many terms used to define a trainer in the world of professional sumo. Alongside the official term of toshiyori (年寄), a sumo coach is also referred by the terms of oyakata (親方) and shishō (師匠).

At the top of the social pyramid, the shishō, or stablemaster, takes on a paternal role. Of all the coaches potentially present in the stable, he alone is the owner of the stable and therefore the highest authority in communal life.

Oyakata is a prefix used in the honorific system as an honorific attached to proper nouns.

History

The function of sumo elder was born with the organization of the first tournaments authorized by the municipal administrations of major Japanese cities. Although sumo as a sport goes back several centuries, its professionalization dates back to the beginning of the Edo period. During this period, the peace established by the Tokugawa shogunate led to the vagrancy for many samurai who had lost their social standing with their previous masters, who had been deposed or killed so that the shogunate could assert itself. Masterless samurai, called rōnin, had no choice but to put their martial art skills to good use in street sumo tournaments, called tsuji-zumō (辻相撲, tsuji-sumo, lit. 'street-corner wrestling'), for the entertainment of passers-by. Eventually, the mix of disgraced rōnins with the commoners who took part in the contests of strength of the street tournaments created many conflicts over betting money. Tense brawls, even deaths, sometimes occurred. During the Keian era, public order became so disturbed that, in 1648, the Edo authorities issued an edict banning street sumo and matches organized to raise funds during festivities. In 1684 (Jōkyō era), a sumo rōnin named Ikazuchi Gondaiyū obtained permission to lift the sumo ban edicted by the Edo authorities. Because he allowed the return of matches by proposing a new etiquette associated with the conduct of fights, Ikazuchi was recognized as a key interlocutor by the authorities, which earned him a tournament organizer's license referring to him as a "toshiyori", one of the first mentions of the term in sumo. Later, the term was definitively adopted by his successors in the organization of tournaments where it came to be used specifically to refer to the masters at the head of groups of wrestlers who took part in charity tournaments in support of sanctuaries, and who were responsible for enforcing discipline during festivities and avoiding fights. In parallel with the emergence of toshiyori in the Edo-based sumo association, the associations in the cities of Osaka and Kyoto were organized around elders known as totori or tōdori (頭取).

During the Genroku period, the various sumo groups were no longer scattered across the country, but rather concentrated in the major cities of Edo, Osaka and Kyoto. These groups were self-organised under the leadership of elders, who welcomed the wrestlers into their homes, which took the name of heya (meaning "fraternity house") in reference to the rooms in which these elders met to organise matches during tournaments. In 1719, the Edo municipal authorities issued an edict prohibiting all sumo groups that had not become professionalized from taking part in charity tournaments. The direct consequence of this edict was the disappearance of the elders who came directly from the ranks of the rōnins, and only the elders who were wrestlers who had retired from the ring remained. The organization based on Edo municipality edicts was gradually implemented in the other major sumo associations based in Osaka, Kyoto and Nagoya during the eighteenth century. With the reform of the charity tournaments, the number of elders grew significantly, tripling in Edo between 1720 and 1780. During the Hōreki era, masters began to inherit the names of their predecessors, and heya were gradually referred to by the name borne by the master. The practice of becoming an elder until death or final retirement also became widespread around this time. From the 1750s onwards, the practice of welcoming novice wrestlers into the elders' homes became more widespread, these houses becoming the first examples of stables. During the Edo period, any wrestler or referee of any rank could inherit the name of his master, under whose protection he had placed himself, in order to perpetuate his legacy.

The practice of allowing former wrestlers to coach new aspirants was eventually capped in 1927, when the sumo associations based in Osaka and Tokyo merged. At that time it was decided that the quota of Tokyo (and its eighty-eight elders) and Osaka (seventeen elders) would form the maximum number of names that could be inherited into the newly proclaimed All Japan Sumo Association. At the beginning of the twentieth century, the conditions for inheriting one's master's name generally became stricter. In 1920, it was decided that only wrestlers and referees who had obtained the status of sekitori would be eligible for the privilege of inheriting the names. In 1951, some historical shares (including the name Negishi) were discontinued. In 1958, referees definitively lost their right to inherit a name share.

During the 1970s, the question of opening up the toshiyori title, and ultimately the creation of stables, to foreign wrestlers arose for the Japan Sumo Association, the latter declaring firstly that sumo being Japan's national sport, it was inconceivable that a foreigner could participate as a trainer. In 1976, an internal rule defined that only Japanese nationals could become elders, with the unofficial aim of preventing foreigners from having a lasting influence on the sport by occupying decision-making positions within the association. The statement was subsequently severely criticized in the press. There have also been calls for foreign wrestlers with notable careers to benefit from an exceptional regime and inherit toshiyori status. This led the association to correct its position in this regard, with the JSA subsequently declaring that the two rising stars of foreign origin Takamiyama and Kaneshiro would indeed be eligible to become coaches within the association after their retirements. Takamiyama was the first to retire, becoming a coach under the name Azumazeki and founding Azumazeki stable, the first foreign-born sumo wrestler to do so.

Known shares

List of normal shares

The current 105 elder shares was defined at the time of the merger between the Tokyo and Osaka sumo associations in 1927. At the time, the Osaka association was composed of 17 elders while the Tokyo association was headed by 88 elders. Since the merger, the official elder shares are:

Historical shares

Before the establishment of a fixed number of elder shares, the various sumo associations had lineages of elders whose legacy of names has now disappeared. Others, such as the names of the two tate-gyōji, or those of wrestlers who became elder under the lifetime share system, have been discontinued and can no longer be used as elder shares.

Becoming a toshiyori

The Japan Sumo Association relations between its members are primarily shaped by rules and norms related to the ownership and transfer of "elder shares" held by the association coaches. It can take several years for a share to become available for purchase, during which time many wrestlers retire without being able to continue as coaches in the Sumo Association. Acquiring a share is extremely difficult, as the elders' privileged status within the association, with a guaranteed position and salary, develops a strong demand among retired wrestlers, which keeps the value of a share very high. Since shares are limited in number, their monetary value is high, and a retired wrestler must be able to buy his share. At the very least, a share is worth millions of yen, traded in the 1990s at around ¥200 million.

Standard share

Normal process

• Nippon on Hakuho and Magaki !!!

To become a toshiyori, a retired wrestler must acquire an elder share, called kabu (株), within the Japan Sumo Association. Each kabu is named after a myōseki (名跡), or family name.

Only wrestlers who have reached the ranks of san'yaku (meaning yokozuna, ōzeki or sekiwake and komusubi) and have held it for at least one tournament are directly entitled to apply to remain as an executive within the association. Wrestlers who have attained the rank of maegashira must have held their status for twenty tournaments, while jūryō wrestlers must have held theirs for thirty tournaments. However, these conditions of access to toshiyori status are much stricter than they were in the 1990s. During those years, the conditions were to have competed in one makuuchi tournament or twenty jūryō tournaments. Wrestlers who had competed professionally for a total of twenty-five tournaments in any division were also eligible for a share inheritance.

The number of shares has been fixed, in particular to avoid the proliferation of unnecessary titles. The transfer of a share to a new owner is not automatic, and prospective buyers must wait until an elder has left the association, usually because he has reached the maximum age for membership of the association (set at 65 years old), to obtain his share. In the event of the death of an elder, a purchaser can also obtain the share through the deceased's family. In the latter case, the new buyer is traditionally expected to provide financially for the family of the deceased, although transfers are often simply settled with a sum of money.

Special cases

Share rented to a family or owner who is still active

Yokozuna and ōzeki receive preferential treatment and can remain in the association without acquiring elder status for five years (yokozuna) and three years (ōzeki).

Since it's not uncommon for several wrestlers to come from the same family, it's commonly accepted that a retiring wrestler can avoid the minimum tournament requirements if he wishes to inherit a share already owned by a family member.

Since shares are difficult to obtain, an active wrestler who has already secured possession of a share can rent it to a retired wrestler in a process known as kari-kabu (借株). This system enables the tenant of the share to work as a toshiyori, while also having more time to obtain a share of his own. For the annuitant, this system ensures an inflow of cash without encroaching on the use of his share, which he retains in full ownership.

Extraordinary process

Former lifetime share system

An exception to the normal acquisition is made for the most successful rikishi, with era-defining yokozuna being offered a "single generation" or "lifetime" elder share, called ichidai toshiyori kabu (一代年寄株). This process allows a wrestler to stay as an elder without having to use a traditional share in the association, and enter his retirement duties with his ring name. Only wrestlers with extraordinary careers were eligible for this privilege.

This exception system has been offered to three former wrestlers : Taihō, Kitanoumi and Takanohana. A fourth, Chiyonofuji, was offered this status but preferred a normal share and became known as Kokonoe. These four all achieved more than twenty tournament championships in their active careers. This system of obtaining toshiyori status is the only way to extend the maximum number of elders within the association. During the 1990s, 107 elders coexisted, with the 105 classic shares and Taihō and Kitanoumi, who had both earned the right to become elders under their ring names.

In October 2021, Yokozuna Hakuhō, the Emperor's Cup number record holder, was however denied the ichidai toshiyori kabu and Masayuki Yamauchi (a Yokozuna Deliberation Council member) declared to a press conference that "no such system exists" under the new Public Interest Incorporated Foundation [ja] statutes of the association, implying that the system would no longer be used.

Ranking

Historically, the beginnings of a hierarchical organization developed around the 1780s, when the highly profitable charity tournaments were organized. During this period, the main tournament organizer and his assistant emerged as the two most important elders of the Edo-based sumo association.

Much like other staff members of the JSA (such as referees and ushers), elders are also subject to a rank structure; only the lowest-ranking members are strictly known as toshiyori. The current ranks are as follows:

• rijichō (理事長, Chairman), primus inter pares among riji
• riji (理事, Director)
• fuku-riji (副理事, Deputy director)
• yakuin taigū iin (役員待遇委員, Special executive)
• iin (委員, Committee member)
• shunin (主任, Senior member)
• iin taigū toshiyori (委員待遇年寄, Elder receiving sitting committee privileges)
• toshiyori (年寄, Elder)
• san'yo (参与, Consultant), elders re-hired as consultant between 65 and 70 years old

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. However, it is customary for all new elders, even former yokozuna, to be assigned as security guards for the hanamichi in their first tournament after retirement.

Furthermore, the fuku-riji and riji positions require a nomination for and subsequent election to the board of the JSA (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.

The elders of the Association receive a salary that depends on their rank within the association.

Tasks and occupations

Association members who have secured ownership of a share are involved in the management of the association's various departments until their compulsory retirement at the age of 65. Officially, toshiyori are recognized as trustees in the association's statutes.

Coaching

Only retired wrestlers can open stables.

Elders are not distributed evenly between stables. This distribution creates quite wide discrepancies in the quality of training within the stables, with some, like Musashigawa stable having only the stablemaster for fourteen wrestlers, and others, like Kasugano stable, having seven masters for almost the same number of wrestlers.

Running the association

Management of the association is organized solely around the elders, who are the only ones that can manage the organization. Elders are divided into a board of trustees overseeing the actions of a board of directors, itself made up exclusively of elders.

The sumo association is made up of several departments that oversee all the association's activities and are staffed by elders elected to these positions.

The members receive a salary and are expected to assist in the running of their stable and the association, from selling tickets and security work at the most junior level, to taking charge of one of the association departments as a director. These members are also the only persons given the authority to train new sumo wrestlers. They do this by opening or taking over a training stable, or heya (changed to -beya as a suffix) which will take the same name as the founder's elder name. Thus Dewanoumi will be the owner of Dewanoumi stable. Typically about 50% of the association members have their own stable, while the rest are required to be affiliated with one and assist the principal owner. It is common for the most senior members of the association to concentrate on their association responsibilities and pass the day-to-day management of a stable to another. If a senior oyakata wishes to do this, the two may elect to swap names so that the stable can keep the more prestigious name. A recent example was in 1996, when the association's chairman Dewanoumi (former yokozuna Sadanoyama), swapped names with Sakaigawa (former sekiwake Washūyama) who took over the running of Dewanoumi stable.

The association members are also split into various ranks. A new retiree will begin his career as a coach at toshiyori rank (commonly called oyakata), except for former ōzeki and yokozuna who are automatically granted "Committee Member" rank. The most senior Association members are "Committee Members."

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• adding small things

Supervising the matches

The elders' judging function developed around 1750, with the emergence of interests linked to the prestige of local lords. The latter, by sponsoring wrestlers, increasingly questioned the refereeing of matches involving their wrestlers, to the detriment of the gyōji's decisions. To avoid tensions, elders were placed in the corners of the ring to discuss the results of matches.

Like any other senior manager in the Sumo Association, the elders responsible for judging matches have a two-year term. The number of judges is set at twenty, and places are distributed equitably among the various ichimon, or clans, of stables within the association. Among the five judges seated around the ring, one serves as group leader and another as timekeeper. The latter is responsible for keeping the pre-bout rituals on schedule, discreetly announcing to the gyōji (referee) that the time is up. In the event of a disputed result, it is the shimpan who can challenge the gyōji's decision by calling in a mono-ii (物言い, lit. 'talk about things'). When doing so, they correspond through an earpiece to a further two judges in a video review room. Judges can confirm the decision of the gyōji by announcing gunbai-dōri (軍配通り, lit. 'way of the gunbai'), overturn it by announcing gunbai-sashichigae (軍配差し違え, lit. 'gunbai mistake'), or order a torinaoshi (取り直し, rematch).

See also

• Glossary of sumo terms
• Japan Sumo Association
• Sumo stable
• List of sumo elders
• List of past sumo wrestlers
• List of sumo stables
• Coach (sport)
• Japanese honorifics
• Senpai and kōhai
• Sensei

Notes

1. ^ Although spelled similarly, two shares named Kagamiyama coexisted in the Tokyo and Osaka based sumo association until both merged in 1927, at which point only the Tokyo line survived when the Osaka line was discontinued.

References

Citations

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2. Buckingham 1994, p. 7.
3. Buckingham 1994, p. 82.
4. West 1997, p. 171.
5. Buckingham 1994, p. 83.
6. Kakuma 1993, p. 189.
7. Cuyler 1979, p. 57.
8. Kakuma 1993, p. 16.
9. Cuyler 1979, p. 58.
10. ^ Kakuma 1993, p. 14.
11. ^ Cuyler 1979, p. 59.
12. Cuyler 1979, p. 60.
13. Cuyler 1979, pp. 62–63.
14. Cuyler 1979, p. 63.
15. Cuyler 1979, pp. 63–64.
16. ^ Cuyler 1979, p. 72.
17. "相撲年寄". The World Encyclopaedia (in Japanese). Heibonsha. Retrieved 7 December 2023 – via Kotobank encyclopedia.
18. ^ Naoki Iida (9 March 2005). "第32回 特集展示 大阪相撲の歴史" (in Japanese). Osaka Museum of History. Retrieved 26 December 2024.
19. ^ Ikeda, Masao (1998). "相撲部屋". The Revised New Edition of the World Encyclopaedia (in Japanese). Heibonsha. ISBN 4582040012. Retrieved 23 February 2024 – via Kotobank.
20. ^ Cuyler 1979, p. 144.
21. ^ Cuyler 1979, p. 143.
22. Cuyler 1979, p. 128.
23. ^ Hall 1997, p. 125.
24. Cuyler 1979, pp. 128–129.
25. ^ Cuyler 1979, p. 129.
26. West 1997, pp. 195–196.
27. ^ Hall 1997, p. 95.
28. "List of elder stocks by occupation and attachment to sumo stables and clans". Sumo Reference. Retrieved 1 April 2024.
29. ^ "大相撲名門列伝シリーズ(4) 立浪部屋" [Sumo Famous Biographies Series (4): The Tatsunami stable]. Sumo Magazine [ja] (November 2017). Baseball Magazine, Inc.: 25.
30. "大相撲名門列伝シリーズ(1) 出羽海部屋・春日野部屋" [Sumo Famous Biographies Series (1): The Dewanoumi and Kasugano stables]. Sumo Magazine [ja] (May 2017). Baseball Magazine, Inc.: 8.
31. "大関伝　93人目～103人目 - 103人目 源氏山 吉太夫". Atsuo Tsubota Database (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 8 December 2014. Retrieved 12 October 2023.
32. Cuyler 1979, pp. 61–63.
33. ^ "大相撲人物大事典" [Encyclopedia of Sumo Personalities]. Sumo Magazine [ja] (April 2001). Baseball Magazine, Inc. ISBN 978-4583036403.
34. ^ "式守伊之助". Heibonsha Encyclopaedia (in Japanese). Retrieved 6 November 2023 – via Kotobank.
35. "大相撲名門列伝シリーズ(5) 時津風部屋" [Sumo Famous Biographies Series (5): The Tokitsukaze stable]. Sumo Magazine [ja] (January 2018). Baseball Magazine, Inc.: 30–34.
36. ^ "大相撲名門列伝シリーズ(2) 二所ノ関部屋" [Sumo Famous Biographies Series (2): The Nishonoseki stable]. Sumo Magazine [ja] (July 2017). Baseball Magazine, Inc.: 32.
37. ^ "年寄名跡の代々" [The generations of sumo elders]. Sumo Magazine [ja] (January 1997). Baseball Magazine, Inc.
38. "木村瀬平". Kodansha Digital Dictionary of Japanese Biography +Plus (in Japanese). Kodansha. 2015. ISBN 4-06-210800-3. Retrieved 13 December 2024 – via Kotobank.
39. Koike, Ken'ichi. "名門歴史探訪 相撲部屋物語1 三保ケ関部屋" [Prestigious Sumo Stable History Investigation (1): Mihogaseki Stable]. Sumo Magazine [ja] (January 2016). Baseball Magazine, Inc.: 30.
40. Ogita, Ryōji (November 2009). 江差の刀工 萬歳安国一代記 [A History of Yasukuni Manzai, a swordsmith of Esashi] (in Japanese). Ogita Kozo. pp. 22–23.
41. Iwata, Kozo (January 1962). 関址と藩界 その歴史地理的解明 [Seki Ruins and Clans: A Historical Geographical Clarification]. Yokura Shobo. p. 192.
42. "白河二所の関碑". Nasu Match. 29 March 2017. Retrieved 30 November 2024.
43. Atsuo Tsubota. "Biographies of Yokozuna (4th to 13th)" (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 5 March 2002. Retrieved 21 February 2023.
44. Cuyler 1979, p. 98.
45. "大相撲名門列伝シリーズ(5) 時津風部屋" [Sumo Famous Biographies Series (5): The Tokitsukaze stable]. Sumo Magazine [ja] (January 2018). Baseball Magazine, Inc.: 36–39.
46. ^ Kakuma 1993, p. 55.
47. Cuyler 1979, p. 152.
48. West 1997, p. 165.
49. ^ Kakuma 1993, p. 42.
50. Kakuma 1993, p. 43.
51. ^ Kitade Koichi (29 March 2024). "「力士をやめたらどうなるの？」". NHK (in Japanese). Retrieved 14 November 2024.
52. ^ "知っておきたい！大相撲の年寄株についてわかりやすく解説！". Spaia Sports (in Japanese). 11 August 2016. Retrieved 27 December 2023.
53. Kitade Koichi (6 July 2021). "特集 - 大相撲の力士をやめたらどうなるの？". NHK (in Japanese). Retrieved 16 December 2023.
54. Buckingham 1994, p. 89.
55. ^ West 1997, p. 181.
56. Buckingham 1994, pp. 89–90.
57. "Injured Takanohana retires from sumo". The Japan Times. 21 January 2003. Archived from the original on 14 September 2012. Retrieved 30 March 2024.
58. ^ "白鵬が目安クリアの一代年寄、第三者委が問題視". The Asahi Shimbun (in Japanese). 19 April 2021. Retrieved 22 August 2024.
59. "一代年寄の栄誉、辞退した千代の富士 北の富士さんが明かす舞台裏". The Asahi Shimbun (in Japanese). 26 November 2022. Retrieved 21 August 2024.
60. Yoshiaki Shichino (3 October 2021). "FOCUS: Sumo fights hard to muzzle era-defining former yokozuna Hakuhō". Kyodo News. Retrieved 6 September 2022.
61. "Ex-yokozuna Hakuho begins new role, provides security at Kyushu sumo tournament". The Mainichi. 15 November 2021. Retrieved 15 November 2021.
62. West 1997, pp. 182–183.
63. West 1997, p. 176.
64. Gunning, John (28 February 2024). "How a rethink of supervision at stables could curtail bullying in sumo". The Japan Times. Archived from the original on 6 December 2024. Retrieved 6 December 2024.
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66. Cuyler 1979, p. 75.
67. ^ Hall 1997, p. 98.
68. Hall 1997, p. 75.
69. Buckingham 1994, p. 72.

Bibliography

• Buckingham, Dorothea M. (1994). The Essential Guide to Sumo. Bess Press. ISBN 1880188805.
• Cuyler, Patricia Lee (1979). Sumo: From rite to sport. New York: Weatherhill. ISBN 9780834801455.
• Hall, Mina (1997). The Big Book of Sumo: History, Practice, Ritual, Fight. Stone Bridge Press. ISBN 978-1-880656-28-0.
• Kakuma, Tsutomu (1993). Sumo watching. Yohan Publications. ISBN 4896842367.
• Kenrick, Douglas M. (1969). The Book of Sumo: Sport, Spectacle, and Ritual. New York: Weatherhill. ISBN 083480039X.
• Newton, Clyde; Toff, Gerald J. (2000). Dynamic sumo. Kodansha International. ISBN 4770025084.
• Schilling, Mark (1994). Sumo: a fan's guide. Japan Times. ISBN 4789007251.
• Sharnoff, Lora (1993). Grand Sumo:The Living Sport and Tradition. New York: Weatherhill. ISBN 0-8348-0283-X.
• West, Mark D. (1997). "Legal Rules and Social Norms in Japan's Secret World of Sumo". The Journal of Legal Studies. 26 (1). The University of Chicago Press: 165–201. doi:10.1086/467992. JSTOR 10.1086/467992.

External links

• Complete list of toshiyori at the Japan Sumo Association
• Kabu history
• Oyakata Gallery

Toshiyori Category:Sumo terminology Category:Titles and rank in Japanese martial arts Category:Titles Category:Management occupations Category:Japanese business executives Category:Nonprofit chief executives Category:Education and training occupations