Japan Sumo Association: Difference between revisions

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The members are also the only persons able to train new sumo wrestlers. They do this by opening a training stable, or ''[[heya]]'' (changed to ''beya'' as a suffix) which will go by the membership name they own. Thus ''Dewanoumi-oyakata'' will be the owner of ''Dewanoumi-beya''. Typically about 50% of the Association members have their own stable, while the rest are affiliated to 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-oyakata (former yokozuna [[Sadanoyama Shinmatsu|Sadanoyama]]), swapped names with Sakaigawa-oyakata (former ''sekiwake'' [[Washūyama Yoshikazu|Washuyama]]) who took over the running of [[Dewanoumi stable]].
The members are also the only persons able to train new sumo wrestlers. They do this by opening a training stable, or ''[[heya]]'' (changed to ''beya'' as a suffix) which will go by the membership name they own. Thus ''Dewanoumi-oyakata'' will be the owner of ''Dewanoumi-beya''. Typically about 50% of the Association members have their own stable, while the rest are affiliated to 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-oyakata (former yokozuna [[Sadanoyama Shinmatsu|Sadanoyama]]), swapped names with Sakaigawa-oyakata (former ''sekiwake'' [[Washūyama Yoshikazu|Washuyama]]) who took over the running of [[Dewanoumi stable]].


The Association Members are also split into various ranks. A new retiree will have ''oyakata'' rank, except for former ''[[ōzeki]]'' and ''[[Yokozuna (sumo)|yokozuna]]'' who are automatically granted ''Committee Member'' rank. Most experienced Association members are ''Committee Members''. At the top are a group of elected ''riji'' or directors, who form the Association Board. The public face of sumo is presented by chairman of the directors, called the ''rijicho''. He is effectively President of the Association.
The Association Members are also split into various ranks. A new retiree will have ''oyakata'' rank, except for former ''[[ōzeki]]'' and ''[[Yokozuna (sumo)|yokozuna]]'' who are automatically granted ''Committee Member'' rank. Most experienced Association members are ''Committee Members''. At the top are a group of elected ''riji'' or directors, who form the Association Board. The public face of sumo is presented by the chairman of the directors, called the ''rijichō''. He is effectively President of the Association.


All members are required to retire when they reach the age of sixty five, after which they can sell or pass their stock to another, provided that person meets the Association's eligibility requirements. In the case of a one-time membership the name merely lapses.
All members are required to retire when they reach the age of sixty five, after which they can sell or pass their stock to another, provided that person meets the Association's eligibility requirements. In the case of a one-time membership the name merely lapses.


In September 2008, at the Ministry of Education' insistence after a series of scandals hit sumo, three external Directors were appointed. One of the three, [[Hiroyoshi Murayama]], served as acting Chairman for the July 2010 tournament while the then head, Musashigawa, was suspended.<ref>{{cite web | author= | title=Sumo punishment meted out | publisher=[[The Japan Times]] | url=http://www.japantimes.co.jp/text/ed20100707a1.html | date=2010-07-07 | accessdate=2012-10-04}}</ref>
In September 2008, at the Ministry of Education's insistence after a series of scandals hit sumo, three external Directors were appointed. One of the three, [[Hiroyoshi Murayama]], served as acting Chairman for the July 2010 tournament while the then head, Musashigawa, was suspended.<ref>{{cite web | author= | title=Sumo punishment meted out | publisher=[[The Japan Times]] | url=http://www.japantimes.co.jp/text/ed20100707a1.html | date=2010-07-07 | accessdate=2012-10-04}}</ref>


==Association Board==
==Association Board==
Line 77: Line 77:
*Matsugane (former ''ōzeki'' [[Wakashimazu Mutsuo|Wakashimazu]])
*Matsugane (former ''ōzeki'' [[Wakashimazu Mutsuo|Wakashimazu]])


==''Rijicho''==
==''Rijichō''==
*[[Hirose Masanori]] 1928&ndash;1938
*[[Hirose Masanori]] 1928&ndash;1938
*[[Isamu Takeshita]] 1939&ndash;1944
*[[Isamu Takeshita]] 1939&ndash;1944

Revision as of 04:28, 5 March 2013

Japan Sumo Association
FormationDecember 28, 1925; 98 years ago (1925-12-28)
Region served
Japan
Membership
105
Official language
Japanese
Parent organization
Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology
Websitewww.sumo.or.jp/eng/index.html

The Japan Sumo Association (日本相撲協会, Nihon Sumō Kyōkai) 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 (active wrestlers), gyōji (referees), tokoyama (hairdressers), and yobidashi (ushers/handymen), are all on the Association's payroll, but the organisation is run entirely by toshiyori (elders). The organization has its headquarters in Yokoami, Sumida, Tokyo.[1]

Membership

Membership is obtained by purchasing, or inheriting a share (toshiyori kabu) in the Association, of which there are 105. The value of these shares is extremely high and rules only permit them to be purchased by former sumo wrestlers who either reached at least a san'yaku rank (komusubi or higher) or been ranked for a significant number of tournaments as a sekitori. Each share is associated with a particular name and in the sumo world the former wrestler will be known by that name, usually with the suffix oyakata. The members are also often called elders in English.

An exception to the purchase requirement is made for the most successful former yokozuna who may be offered a one-time membership (ichidai toshiyori) of the Association. Three former wrestlers, Taihō, Kitanoumi and Takanohana obtained this status.[2][3] 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.[2]

The members of the Association receive a salary and are expected to assist in the running of the Association, from selling tickets at the most junior level, to taking charge of one of the Association Departments as a director.

The members are also the only persons able to train new sumo wrestlers. They do this by opening a training stable, or heya (changed to beya as a suffix) which will go by the membership name they own. Thus Dewanoumi-oyakata will be the owner of Dewanoumi-beya. Typically about 50% of the Association members have their own stable, while the rest are affiliated to 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-oyakata (former yokozuna Sadanoyama), swapped names with Sakaigawa-oyakata (former sekiwake Washuyama) who took over the running of Dewanoumi stable.

The Association Members are also split into various ranks. A new retiree will have oyakata rank, except for former ōzeki and yokozuna who are automatically granted Committee Member rank. Most experienced Association members are Committee Members. At the top are a group of elected riji or directors, who form the Association Board. The public face of sumo is presented by the chairman of the directors, called the rijichō. He is effectively President of the Association.

All members are required to retire when they reach the age of sixty five, after which they can sell or pass their stock to another, provided that person meets the Association's eligibility requirements. In the case of a one-time membership the name merely lapses.

In September 2008, at the Ministry of Education's insistence after a series of scandals hit sumo, three external Directors were appointed. One of the three, Hiroyoshi Murayama, served as acting Chairman for the July 2010 tournament while the then head, Musashigawa, was suspended.[4]

Association Board

As of February 2013:

Chairman

Directors

Vice Directors

Rijichō

References

  1. ^ "Kyokai Information." Japan Sumo Association. Retrieved on February 6, 2011. "〒130-0015 東京都墨田区横網1-3-28 財団法人日本相撲協会."
  2. ^ a b Hall, Mina (1997). The Big Book of Sumo. Berkeley, CA, USA: Stone Bridge Press. p. 95. ISBN 1-880656-28-0. {{cite book}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help); |format= requires |url= (help)
  3. ^ "Injured Takanohana retires from sumo". The Japan Times. 2003-01-21. Retrieved 2012-10-04.
  4. ^ "Sumo punishment meted out". The Japan Times. 2010-07-07. Retrieved 2012-10-04.
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