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Miyagino stable

Coordinates: 35°41′39″N 139°48′23″E / 35.6941°N 139.8064°E / 35.6941; 139.8064
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Former building of the stable on Yahiro district

Miyagino stable (宮城野部屋, Miyagino-beya) is a stable of sumo wrestlers, part of the Isegahama ichimon or group of stables. It was founded by the 43rd yokozuna Yoshibayama as Yoshibayama dōjō while he was still an active wrestler, before changing to its current name in 1960.[1] As of January 2023, the stable had 20 wrestlers, with two of them ranked in the second highest professional division.

In March 2024 the Sumo Association closed Miyagino stable for the foreseeable future in the aftermath of physical abuse by former Miyagino wrestler Hokuseihō and the subsequent punishment of its stablemaster, the 69th yokozuna Hakuhō. Wrestlers and coaches in the stable were transferred to Isegahama stable.[2]

History

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In August 2004 former jūryō division wrestler Kanechika took over in controversial circumstances from former maegashira Chikubayama, who had been in charge since 1989. Unusually, the new stablemaster was from a different ichimon (Kanechika belonged to Kitanoumi stable, part of the Dewanoumi ichimon, in his days as an active wrestler). Kanechika was able to take control of the stable because he married one of the daughters of the 9th Miyagino's widow, who owned the toshiyori name, which Chikubayama was only borrowing, and was adopted by her as her son. Chikubayama, who had guided future yokozuna Hakuhō to the top division, was able to stay on as a coach in the stable by acquiring the Kumagatani name.[3][4] However, in December 2010 he regained control of the Miyagino name and stable after Kanechika was disciplined by the Sumo Association for being caught on tape discussing match-fixing.[5][6]

Miyagino stable missed two tournaments in 2021 due to outbreaks of COVID-19. The stable withdrew from the January tournament after Hakuhō tested positive, and from the September tournament after Hokuseihō and another lower-division wrestler tested positive.[7]

In July 2022 the Sumo Association announced that Magaki-oyakata (Hakuhō) and Miyagino-oyakata (former maegashira Chikubayama) would be exchanging elder-stocks, with Hakuhō becoming the 13th Miyagino and officially becoming the main coach at the stable.[8] In August of the same year, Miyagino stable also changed location for the second time in the past seven years and started to use the building of the former Azumazeki stable.[9]

Recruitments

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The stable has strong links to Tottori Jōhoku High School's sumo program, with Hakuōhō, Hokuseihō and Ishiura all being graduates. Ishiura's father is the coach of the high school team.[10]

Under the recommendation of Hakuhō, the stable began to scout promising talents. In 2020, when Hakuhō was not yet the stablemaster, the stable recruited Hokuseihō, a 2-meter-tall Mongolian wrestler.[11] As he was raised in Hokkaido from the age of five, Miyagino was allowed to circumvent the Sumo Association's "one foreigner per stable" rule.[12] Hokuseihō won consecutive championships in the second half of 2020 with perfect records in the jonokuchi, jonidan and sandanme divisions. In July 2021, he won the makushita championship and was promoted to jūryō. He reached the top makuuchi division in March 2023, reaching the rank of maegashira 6 later that year.

In July 2022, Hakuhō recruited 23 year-old Kawazoe Keita, a college yokozuna, into Miyagino-beya. Given Kawazoe's university title, he would enter at the rank of makushita 15 as his accomplishments allows him to use the makushita tsukedashi system.[13] On December 1, it was announced that the stable recruited Ochiai Tetsuya, a two time High School Yokozuna. Similarly to Kawazoe, his high school accomplishments allows him to use the makushita tsukedashi system and enter at the rank of makushita 15.[14] After a strong performance in his first professional tournament, Ochiai managed to win the makushita tournament with a perfect score, securing a promotion to jūryō, a first for a makushita tsukedashi. Following his achievement, Ochiai became the fourth sekitori in Miyagino stable and the first wrestler to achieve this rank since Hakuhō took charge of the stable.[15] Ochiai received the shikona (ring name) of Hakuōhō prior to his top division debut.[16]

In February 2024, the stable recruited Matsui Kanato, a Jōhoku High graduate who qualified among the top 8 national corporate wrestlers, becoming the first wrestler to qualify for tsukedachi status to be recruited by the Sumo Association since the new system was installed in September 2023. This recruitment makes Matsui the first tsukedachi in 24 years to be able to start his career at the lowest makushita rank, having to start at makushita tsukedachi 60.[17]

Hokuseihō assault allegations

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Following the January 2024 tournament the Sumo Association opened an investigation into Hokuseihō on allegations that he assaulted other wrestlers in his stable.[18] The Sumo Association's Compliance Committee later found the allegations to be true.[19] Hokuseihō submitted his retirement notification on 22 February 2024, the day before the full Sumo Association board was expected to take up the committee's recommendations—which included the retirement of Hokuseihō and the demotion of Miyagino by two positions in sumo's hierarchy.[18][20]

On 23 February 2024 the Sumo Association met and accepted the resignation of Hokuseihō.[21] Hakuhō was demoted from iin (committee member) to the lowest ranking of toshiyori (elder) and received a salary cut of 20 percent for three months.[22][23] Additionally, the Sumo Association took actions that effectively removed Hakuhō as stablemaster for the time being, announcing that a member of the Isegahama ichimon would be appointed temporary stablemaster of Miyagino stable for the March 2024 tournament. Thereafter, the same group would oversee training of wrestlers in the stable for an unspecified period of time.[23] Following the release of the March 2024 banzuke it was announced that Tamagaki (former komusubi Tomonohana), a coach at Ōshima stable, would be appointed acting master.[24]

Temporary stable closure

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At a meeting of elders prior to the March 2024 tournament in Osaka, Hakuhō apologized for the trouble that had been caused. The Isegahama ichimon then met to discuss several options for the stable. The options reportedly included having another coach in the stable take over as master, as well as the closure of the stable and the transfer of wrestlers and personnel to other stables in the Isegahama group.[25] On the first day of the March tournament the Isegahama ichimon submitted a proposal to the Sumo Association to close Miyagino stable from April 2024 and possibly revive it again in the future.[26] Some news reports from the pre-tournament meetings suggested that members of the stable had already proceeded on the assumption that the stable would close.[27] In mid-March, plans surfaced to transfer Miyagino staff to one or more of the Isegahama ichimon stables. It soon became apparent that the preferred solution would be to transfer all staff to a single stable,[28] with plans to transfer to the Ōshima and Asakayama stables each being rejected (respectively by the association and by Asakayama himself).[29][30]

Public broadcaster NHK reported after the March tournament that a proposal had been put forward to move Miyagino personnel to Isegahama stable, led by the 63rd yokozuna Asahifuji.[31] On 28 March 2024 the Sumo Association formally announced the closure of Miyagino stable for the foreseeable future and the transfer of wrestlers and coaches to Isegahama stable.[2] The signboard outside of Miyagino stable was removed on 3 April,[32] and personnel completed the move to Isegahama stable on 7 April.[33] Training of Miyagino wrestlers with the Isegahama wrestlers commenced the following day, with Asahifuji commenting that he hoped Hakuhō could teach the combined group of about 40 wrestlers his skills as a yokozuna.[34]

On the subject of the stable's closure, former Ishinriki confided to Tokyo Sports that the merger between the two stables would be hampered by a number of obstacles, citing in particular the difference in character and past tensions between Terunofuji and Hakuhō that could complicate cohabitation but also the fact that the Miyagino stable included wrestlers who were generally lower-ranked, and who would therefore have to keep a low profile in their new positions, as was the case for Fujishima stable when it merged with Futagoyama stable in 1993. Still according to Ishinriki, the merger situation could well last until Isegahama's definitive retirement in July 2025.[35]

Following the May 2024 tournament it was announced that four lower-division wrestlers that began their professional careers with Miyagino stable (and were subsequently transferred to Isegahama) had all decided to retire. According to reports at the time, a number of Miyagino wrestlers considered themselves proud to be affiliated with the Miyagino name, and strongly felt that they could not accept a transfer to another stable.[36]

Ring name conventions

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Many wrestlers at this stable take ring names or shikona that contains the character 鵬 (read: hō), meaning peng, in honor of the 69th yokozuna and current stablemaster Hakuhō Shō.

Owners

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Notable active wrestlers

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See also: sekitori

Notable former members

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Coaches

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  • Magaki Yoshito (toshiyori, former maegashira Ishiura Shikanosuke)

Referee

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Usher

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  • Ryūji (makuuchi yobidashi, real name Ryūji Takahashi)

Hairdresser

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Location and access

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Yoshibayama Junnosuke Kabu History". Sumo Reference. Retrieved 2012-10-01.
  2. ^ a b "Sumo: Wrestlers from scandal-hit Miyagino stable to join Isegahama". Kyodo News. 28 March 2024. Retrieved 28 March 2024.
  3. ^ "Kumagatani Kabu History". Sumo Reference. Retrieved 2012-10-01.
  4. ^ "Miyagino Kabu History". Sumo Reference. Retrieved 2012-10-01.
  5. ^ "Hakuho's stable elder questioned". The Japan Times. 2007-05-31. Retrieved 2012-10-01.
  6. ^ "Stablemaster bout-rigging claim hit". The Japan Times. 2010-12-25. Retrieved 2012-10-01.
  7. ^ "Sumo: Hakuho to miss Autumn meet with stable barred over COVID cases". Kyodo. 6 September 2021. Retrieved 6 September 2021.
  8. ^ "元横綱白鵬、宮城野部屋を継承". Kyodo News (in Japanese). Kyodo. 28 July 2022. Retrieved 28 July 2022.
  9. ^ "Former yokozuna Hakuho faces new challenges as Miyagino stablemaster". The Japan Times. 3 August 2022.
  10. ^ Gunning, John (1 February 2023). "Hakuho positions himself to dominate sumo once again". Japan Times. Retrieved 6 February 2023.
  11. ^ "2-meter-tall Mongolian joins Miyagino stable". Montsame. 2 March 2020. Retrieved 30 September 2020.
  12. ^ Gunning, John (26 August 2020). "Hakuho may be on path to becoming great stablemaster if latest recruit pans out". Japan Times. Retrieved 30 September 2020.
  13. ^ "川副、幕下付け出し　大相撲". Jiji Press (in Japanese). Jiji. 28 July 2022. Retrieved 28 July 2022.
  14. ^ "Former high school yokozuna goes to Miyagino stable: Ochiai seeks to "exceeds master's record"". 47 News (in Japanese). 1 December 2022. Retrieved 1 December 2022.
  15. ^ "Ochiai, the 15th Makushita: New Juryo in one required tournament for the first time in history "I want to win the highest victory in the Makuuchi and make my master cry."". Hochi News (in Japanese). 25 January 2023. Retrieved 25 January 2023.
  16. ^ “令和の怪物”落合が「伯桜鵬」に改名へ　新入幕が決定的な来場所から. Sports Nippon (in Japanese). 28 May 2023. Retrieved 12 March 2024.
  17. ^ "鳥取城北高卒で国体8強の松井奏凪人が宮城野部屋入り 24年ぶり「幕下最下位格付け出し」資格承認". Sports Nippon (in Japanese). 1 February 2024. Retrieved 1 February 2024.
  18. ^ a b "Sumo: Former yokozuna Hakuho facing penalty over Hokuseiho violence". Kyodo News. 21 February 2024. Retrieved 22 February 2024.
  19. ^ "北青鵬、日本相撲協会に引退届を提出　後輩力士へ暴力行為　２３日臨時理事会で処分協議" (in Japanese). Sports Hochi. 23 February 2024. Retrieved 23 February 2024.
  20. ^ "北青鵬が相撲協会に引退届提出　日常的な後輩力士への暴力判明、部屋内での金銭トラブルも" (in Japanese). Nikkan Sports. 23 February 2024. Retrieved 23 February 2024.
  21. ^ "幕内北青鵬は引退届を受理　後輩力士への暴力行為、日本相撲協会の理事会で確認" (in Japanese). Nikkan Sports. 23 February 2024. Retrieved 23 February 2024.
  22. ^ "大横綱に厳罰処分　元白鵬の宮城野親方が２階級降格と減俸処分　暴力行為に対する監督責任" (in Japanese). Nikkan Sports. 23 February 2024. Retrieved 23 February 2024.
  23. ^ a b "親方には任せられず…宮城野部屋４月以降は所属の伊勢ケ浜一門が預かることを検討" (in Japanese). Nikkan Sports. 23 February 2024. Retrieved 23 February 2024.
  24. ^ "宮城野部屋の師匠代行に同じ伊勢ケ浜一門の玉垣親方を任命へ　元横綱白鵬の親方が師匠立場外れる" (in Japanese). Nikkan Sports. 26 February 2024. Retrieved 26 February 2024.
  25. ^ "宮城野親方、年寄総会で弟子の暴力問題謝罪…玉垣親方は春場所限りでの師匠代行退任を明言" (in Japanese). Sports Hochi. 9 March 2024. Retrieved 9 March 2024.
  26. ^ "宮城野部屋は当面閉鎖か　一門が案提出、協会検討" (in Japanese). Sanyo Shimbun. 10 March 2024. Retrieved 10 March 2024.
  27. ^ "宮城野部屋が春場所後にも閉鎖へ　元横綱白鵬の宮城野親方が師匠　伊勢ケ浜一門の会合で方向性" (in Japanese). Nikkan Sports. 8 March 2024. Retrieved 9 March 2024.
  28. ^ "宮城野部屋全員が伊勢ケ浜部屋に転籍　４月から一時預かりに伯桜鵬「何も答えられない」" (in Japanese). Sports Hochi. 29 March 2024. Retrieved 3 April 2024.
  29. ^ "宮城野部屋問題大詰め　宮城野親方、間垣親方、力士が同じ部屋に転籍する方向で最終調整" (in Japanese). Nikkan Sports. 16 March 2024. Retrieved 16 March 2024.
  30. ^ "【記者の目】力士たちの将来を案じるなら、宮城野部屋存続も考慮に入れては - 写真ニュース" (in Japanese). Nikkan Sports. 29 March 2024. Retrieved 3 April 2024.
  31. ^ "宮城野部屋 親方 力士の移籍先 伊勢ヶ濱部屋を軸に検討" (in Japanese). NHK. 25 March 2024. Retrieved 25 March 2024.
  32. ^ "宮城野部屋の看板下ろされる　所属する全ての日本相撲協会員が伊勢ケ浜部屋に転籍" (in Japanese). Nikkan Sports. 3 April 2024. Retrieved 3 April 2024.
  33. ^ "当面部屋閉鎖の宮城野部屋が転籍する伊勢ケ浜部屋に引っ越し　宮城野親方は「頑張ります」" (in Japanese). Nikkan Sports. 7 April 2024. Retrieved 7 April 2024.
  34. ^ "旧宮城野部屋勢が加わって「新生伊勢ケ浜部屋」が初稽古　宮城野親方はまわしを着けて指導" (in Japanese). Nikkan Sports. 8 April 2024. Retrieved 8 April 2024.
  35. ^ "【大相撲】宮城野部屋の歴史に幕　維新力が見た処分の妥当性「世論は『厳しすぎる』と言うけど…」" (in Japanese). Tokyo Sports. 4 April 2024. Retrieved 5 April 2024.
  36. ^ "宝香鵬、大谷、千鵬、竹丸…旧宮城野部屋4人引退　最年長34歳が最後の取組後に明かした悲痛な思い" (in Japanese). Sports Nippon. 29 May 2024. Retrieved 29 May 2024.
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35°41′39″N 139°48′23″E / 35.6941°N 139.8064°E / 35.6941; 139.8064

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