The following is an alphabetical list of heya or training stables in professional sumo . All belong to one of five groups, called ichimon . These groups, led by the stable by which each group is named, are in order of size: Dewanoumi ichimon , Nishonoseki ichimon , Tokitsukaze ichimon , Takasago ichimon and Isegahama ichimon . Occasionally there have been independent stables, but the Japan Sumo Association agreed at a director's meeting in July 2018 that all sumo elders must belong to one of the five ichimon .[ 1] The founding dates listed below are for the current incarnation of each stable; in most cases this is not the first stable to exist under a given name, however.
The number of stables peaked at 54, with the opening of Onoe stable in August 2006. In order to limit the over-proliferation of stables, the Japan Sumo Association introduced new rules the following month that greatly raised the qualifications needed by former wrestlers wishing to branch out (namely, those ranked below yokozuna or ōzeki must have spent at least 60 tournaments in the top makuuchi division or 25 in the titled san'yaku ranks). Discounting the temporary closure of Kise stable from 2010-2012, over six years no new stables established while eleven folded, bringing the number of stables to 43. The streak of closures ended with the opening of former yokozuna Musashimaru 's Musashigawa stable in April 2013, hence the opening and closing of stables has stabilized. There are 44 stables, all of which are located in the Greater Tokyo Region, especially in Tokyo's Ryogoku district.
The governing body of professional sumo is the Japan Sumo Association. Six tournaments are held every year: three in Tokyo (January, May and September) and one each in Osaka (March), Nagoya (July) and Fukuoka (November). Each tournament lasts 15 days during which wrestlers compete in one bout per day. All sumo wrestlers are classified in a ranking hierarchy (banzuke ), which is updated after each tournament based on the wrestlers' performance. Wrestlers with more wins than losses go up while those with negative records are demoted. The top division is makuuchi and the second division is jūryō . The 70 wrestlers ranked within the two top divisions are called sekitori . At the pinnacle of sumo hierarchy stands the rank of yokozuna .
Pronunciation note
Due to a Japanese speech phenomenon known as rendaku , when the word for stable, heya , comes second in a compound word, the "h" in heya changes to "b" to become beya . A sumo stable is pronounced in Japanese as "sumo-beya " and Arashio stable, as an example, is pronounced "Arashio-beya ".
Active stables
There are 46 stables as of May 2024.
Name
Ichimon
Year opened
Notable active wrestlers
Notable past wrestlers
Other notable information
Ajigawa
Isegahama
2022
Aonishiki
head is former Aminishiki , branched off from Isegahama stable
Arashio
Tokitsukaze
2002
Daiseizan [ja ] , Kōtokuzan , Wakatakakage , Wakamotoharu
Sōkokurai
head is former Sōkokurai , made headlines when it welcomed back exonerated Sōkokurai in 2013
Asahiyama
Isegahama
2016
head is former Kotonishiki , branched off from Oguruma stable
Asakayama
Isegahama
2014
Kaishō
head is former Kaiō , branched off from Tomozuna stable
Dewanoumi
Dewanoumi
1862 (c.)
Mitakeumi
Chiyonoyama , Mainoumi , Mienoumi , Tochigiyama
head is former Oginohana , demotion of its last sekitori left the stable without any sekitori for the first time since 1898
Fujishima
Dewanoumi
1981
Bushozan , Fujiseiun [ja ]
Shōtenrō , Dejima , Miyabiyama , Musashimaru , Musōyama , Wakanoyama
head is former Musōyama , was the strongest stable in early 2000s, name was changed from its previous incarnation as Musashigawa
Futagoyama
Dewanoumi
2018
Mita [ja ] , Nabatame [ja ] , Rōga
Head is former Miyabiyama , branched off from Fujishima stable
Hakkaku
Takasago
1993
Kitanowaka
Hokutōfuji , Hokutōriki , Kaihō , Ōiwato [ja ] , Okinoumi
head is former Hokutoumi , branched off from Kokonoe stable
Hanaregoma
Nishonoseki
1990
Ichiyamamoto , Shimazuumi
Shōhōzan
head is former Tamanoshima , branched off from Futagoyama stable
Hidenoyama
Nishonoseki
2024
head is former Kotoshōgiku , branched off from Sadogatake stable
Ikazuchi
Dewanoumi
1993
Shishi
Masatsukasa , Yōtsukasa , Sagatsukasa
head is former Kakizoe , who inherited the stable from former Tochitsukasa who branched off from Kasugano stable
Isegahama
Isegahama
1979
Atamifuji , Kusano , Nishikifuji , Midorifuji , Takarafuji , Takerufuji
Aminishiki , Asōfuji , Harumafuji , Homarefuji , Kasugafuji , Terunofuji , Terutsuyoshi
head is former Asahifuji , until 2018 one of the most well represented stables in the upper divisions, renamed from its original incarnation as Ajigawa stable
Isenoumi
Tokitsukaze
1949
Nishikigi , Wakaikari [ja ]
Hattori , Ikioi , Kashiwado , Tosanoumi
head is former Kitakachidoki , the Isenoumi name has one of the longest traditions in sumo
Kasugano
Dewanoumi
1925
Tochimaru [ja ] , Tochimusashi [ja ] ,Tochitaikai [ja ]
Aoiyama , Tochinishiki , Tochinoshin , Tochinoumi , Tochihikari , Tochinowaka , Tochiōzan
head is former Tochinowaka , active since the Meiji era, currently one of the most successful stables
Kataonami
Nishonoseki
1961
Tamashōhō , Tamawashi
Tamaasuka , Tamakiyama , Tamaryū
head is former Tamakasuga , branched off from Nishonoseki stable
Kise
Dewanoumi
2003
Churanoumi , Daiseidō [ja ] , Shiden [ja ] , Hidenoumi , Kinbozan , Shimanoumi , Ura
Akiseyama , Gagamaru , Higonojō [ja ] , Jōkōryū , Kiyoseumi , Kizenryu [ja ] , Kizakiumi [ja ] , Tokushinho ,Tokushōryū
head is former Higonoumi , was dissolved over a ticket selling scandal, then allowed to reform two years later, well represented in two top divisions
Kokonoe
Takasago
1967
Chiyomaru , Chiyonoō [ja ] , Chiyonoumi , Chiyosakae [ja ] , Chiyoshōma
Chiyonofuji , Chiyonokuni , Chiyoōtori , Chiyotaikai , Chiyotairyū , Chiyotenzan , Hokutoumi , Kitanofuji , Kitaseumi , Takanofuji
head is former Chiyotaikai , as of March 2018 five of its 17 wrestlers were sekitori
Minato
Nishonoseki
1982
Ichinojō
head is former Minatofuji , who is the only top division wrestler the stable had ever produced until Ichinojō in 2014.
Miyagino [ a]
Isegahama
1960
Enhō , Hakuōhō , Kihō , Tenshōhō [ja ]
Hakuhō , Myōbudani , Mutsuarashi , Kōbō , Ryūō , Ishiura , Hokuseihō , Daikiho [ja ]
head is former Hakuhō , has had a convoluted series of successions
Musashigawa
Dewanoumi
2013
Wakaichirō
head is former Musashimaru , who is only the second foreign born wrestler to open his own stable
Naruto
Nishonoseki
2017
Ōshōma , Ōshōumi [ja ]
head is former Kotoōshū , branched off from Sadogatake stable
Nakamura
Nishonoseki
2024
Kayo [ja ] , Miyanokaze [ja ] , Tomokaze
head is former Yoshikaze , branched off from Nishonoseki stable [ 2]
Nishiiwa
Nishonoseki
2018
head is former Wakanosato , branched off from Tagonoura stable
Nishikido
Takasago
2002
Mitoryū
Gokushindo [ja ]
head is former Mitoizumi , was home to the only Kazakh wrestler
Nishonoseki
Nishonoseki
2021
Ōnosato , Shirokuma
founder and head is the former Kisenosato , the 72nd yokozuna ; branched off from Tagonoura stable
Oitekaze
Tokitsukaze
1998
Daiamami , Daieishō , Daishoho , Daishōmaru , Endō , Hitoshi , Tobizaru , Tsurugishō
Hayateumi , Kokkai , Hamanishiki
head is former Daishōyama who branched off from Tatsunami stable
Onoe
Dewanoumi
2006
Baruto , Satoyama , Tenkaihō , Yamamotoyama
head is former Hamanoshima , branched off from Mihogaseki stable, lost three sekitori due to match fixing scandal in 2011
o Ōnomatsu
Nishonoseki
1994
Ōnokatsu , Yuma [ja ]
Amūru , Daidō , Katayama , Keitenkai [ja ] , Ōnoshō , Wakakōyū
head is former Daidō , forced out of Nishonoseki ichimon and joined Takanohana ichimon in 2010
o Ōshima
Isegahama
1941
Asahishō , Kaiō , Kaisei , Kyokudōzan , Kyokushūhō , Kyokushūzan , Kyokutaisei , Kyokutenhō , Sentoryū , Tachiyama
head is former Kyokutenhō , incarnations have a long and prestigious history, absorbed a number of strong wrestlers in 2012 from a previous, now defunct Ōshima stable
Oshiogawa
Nishonoseki
2022
Amakaze , Kazekenō [ja ] , Yago
head is former Takekaze , branched from Oguruma stable upon its closure
o Ōtake
Nishonoseki
1971
Mudoho [ja ] , Ōhō
Ōzutsu , Rohō , Ōsunaarashi
head is former Dairyū , the previous head (former Takatōriki ) was forced out in a gambling scandal
Otowayama
Tokitsukaze
2023
Kirishima II
founder and head is the former Kakuryū , the 71st yokozuna ; branched off from Michinoku stable
Sadogatake
Nishonoseki
1955
Kotoeihō , Kotoeko , Kotozakura , Kotoshōhō
Hasegawa , Kotokaze , Kotomitsuki , Kotonishiki , Kotoshōgiku , Kotoōshū , Kotozakura , Kotoyūki , Kotoyusho [ja ]
head is former Kotonowaka , has produced many wrestlers in makuuchi and san'yaku over the years
Sakaigawa
Dewanoumi
1998
Hiradoumi , Sadanoumi , Tsushimanada
Gōeidō , Hochiyama , Iwakiyama , Myōgiryū , Sadanofuji , Toyohibiki
head is former Ryōgoku , has produced many sekitori
Shibatayama
Nishonoseki
1999
Daishōchi , Daiyubu [ja ] , Sakigake [ja ] , Wakanoshima [ja ]
head is former Ōnokuni , in 2013 absorbed its parent stable (Hanaregoma), its only home-grown sekitori quit under acrimonious circumstances
Shikihide
Dewanoumi
1992
Sensho [ja ]
head is former Kitazakura , took almost 20 years to produce a sekitori in 2012
Shikoroyama
Nishonoseki
2004
Abi , Oki [ja ]
Hōmashō , Seirō , Irodori [ja ]
head is former Homasho , stable founded by former Terao
Tagonoura
Nishonoseki
1989
Takayasu
Kisenosato , Rikiō , Takanowaka , Takanoyama , Wakanosato
head is former Takanotsuru , founded by yokozuna Takanosato but renamed from Naruto and moved to Ryōgoku following his death
Takadagawa
Nishonoseki
1974
Dairaidō [ja ] , Hakuyozan [ja ] , Kagayaki , Otsuji [ja ] , Ryūden , Shōnannoumi
Kenkō , Maenoshin , Shobushi
head is former Akinoshima , stable was ousted from Takasago ichimon in 1998, finally accepted into Nishonoseki ichimon in 2013
Takasago
Takasago
1878
Asabenkei , Asanoyama , Asagyokusei , Asakōryū , Asanowaka [ja ] , Asashiyu [ja ]
Asashio , Asashōryū , Azumafuji , Konishiki , Maedayama , Takamiyama
head is former Asasekiryū , the second oldest and arguably one of the most successful stables throughout its history
Takekuma
Dewanoumi
2022
Gōnoyama
head is former Gōeidō , branched off from Sakaigawa stable
Tamanoi
Dewanoumi
1990
Fujiazuma , Tōhakuryū , Yoshiazuma
Azumaryū , Ryūkō
head is former Tochiazuma Daisuke , passed onto him by his father, the stable's founder Tochiazuma Tomoyori
Tatsunami
Dewanoumi
1916
Akua , Hōshōryū , Kiryūkō [ja ] , Meisei
Annenyama , Futabayama , Futahaguro , Haguroyama , Hanakaze , Mōkonami
head is former Asahiyutaka , one of the most prestigious stables in sumo but declined by the 1980s
Tokitsukaze
Tokitsukaze
1941
Shōdai , Tokihayate
Yutakayama , Kitabayama , Kurama , Ōshio , Tokitenkū , Aogiyama , Toyonoshima
founded by Futabayama , head is former Tosayutaka who took over when previous head (former Tokitsuumi ) was expelled for failure to follow COVID-19 protocols
Tokiwayama
Nishonoseki
2004
Takanoshō , Takakento Wakanosho [ja ]
Masunoyama , Takagenji , Takakeishō , Takanofuji , Takanoiwa
head is former Takamisugi , branched off from Kasugano stable
Yamahibiki
Dewanoumi
1985
Kitaharima , Nionoumi [ja ]
Hakurozan , Kitazakura , Kitataiki , Ōrora
head is former Ganyū who inherited it on the death of founder Kitanoumi , who branched off from Mihogaseki
Mergers and closures (1994 to present)
Miyagino stable closes April 2024, wrestlers and coaches move to Isegahama stable [ a]
Michinoku stable closes April 2024, wrestlers and coaches move to the Otawayama , Oitekaze , Isenoumi and Arashio stables
Oguruma stable closes February 2022, personnel split between Oshiogawa stable and Nishonoseki stable
Kagamiyama stable closes July 2021, all wrestlers and personnel move to Isenoumi stable
Azumazeki stable closes April 2021, wrestlers move to Hakkaku stable
Minezaki stable closes April 2021, wrestlers move to Shibatayama stable , some other personnel to Takadagawa stable and Nishiiwa stable
Nakagawa stable closes July 2020, wrestlers and/or personnel move to Arashio , Asahiyama , Isenoumi , Kataonami , Miyagino , Oitekaze , Tokitsukaze , and Tomozuna stables
Izutsu stable closes September 2019, wrestlers and personnel move to Michinoku stable
Takanohana stable closes October 2018, wrestlers and personnel move to Chiganoura stable
Kasugayama stable closes October 2016, some wrestlers retire, other wrestlers and personnel move to Oitekaze stable
Asahiyama stable closes January 2015, all wrestlers and some personnel move to Isegahama , some other personnel move to Asakayama .
Mihogaseki stable closes October 2013, wrestlers move to Kasugano
Magaki stable closes March 2013, wrestlers move to Isegahama
Hanaregoma stable closes February 2013, wrestlers move to Shibatayama
Nishonoseki stable closes January 2013, remaining wrestlers retire, other personnel move to Matsugane
Nakamura stable closes December 2012, wrestlers move to Azumazeki
Hanakago stable closes May 2012, wrestlers move to Minezaki
Ōshima stable closes April 2012, wrestlers move to Tomozuna
Tagonoura stable closes February 2012, wrestlers move to Dewanoumi and Kasugano
Takashima stable closes June 2011, head coach moves to Kasugayama
Kiriyama stable closes January 2011, wrestlers move to Asahiyama
Araiso stable closes September 2008, one remaining wrestler moves to Hanakago
Isegahama stable closes February 2007, wrestlers move to Kiriyama
Hatachiyama stable closes June 2006, wrestlers move to Kitanoumi
Oshiogawa stable closes March 2005, wrestlers move to Oguruma
Takekuma Stable closes March 2004, no wrestlers are left but head coach moves to Tomozuna
Kabutoyama stable closes December 2002, no wrestlers are left but head coach moves to Minato
Wakamatsu stable merges with Takasago in February 2002
Tatsutagawa stable closes November 2000, wrestlers move to Michinoku
Kise stable closes February 2000, wrestlers move to Kiriyama
Kumagatani stable closes April 1996, wrestlers move to Tatsunami
Ōnaruto stable closes December 1994, wrestlers move to Kiriyama
Name changes (2003 to present)
See also
Notes
^ a b As of April 2024, the stable is temporarily closed and its staff transferred to Isegahama stable.
References
External links