Sumo school - graduation/entry

[Akinomaki 41,839]

Today the graduation and entrance ceremonies were held in the sumo training institute.
Ishiura, Baraki etc, started new the 6 months. Baraki: "I hate to study, but
because it's study of sumo I'll do my best. I want to get the prize for
permanent attendance."
Ishiura (tsukebito to Hakuho): "I don't know how to fold the yokozuna's mawashi and hakama and want to learn."

NSK pics

Kabutoyama-oyakata, responsible for the institute


new and graduated pupils


institute chief Dewanoumi-oyakata


diploma awarding


study timetable


rijicho address

singing the training song and sumo health exercise jinku




graduates from period 328


from period 329

Edited June 17, 2023 by Akinomaki

[Washuyama 662]

What a cool guy...

[Yubinhaad 11,974]

Two small classes received their sumo school graduation diplomas following the Natsu basho, and the Kyokai posted some pictures.

Opening address from Dewanoumi-oyakata (former Sekiwake Washuyama), in charge of the sumo school.

Kabutoyama-oyakata (former Maegashira Oikari), an instructor at the school.

Dewanoumi hands a certificate to Miyamoto of Naruto-beya, part of the school's 330th class who entered ozumo in the 2012 Aki basho. In the background are Tatsutagawa-oyakata (former Maegashira Kobo) and Sekinoto-oyakata (former Komusubi Iwakiyama), who are also instructors at the school.

And a certificate for Sato of Tamanoi-beya, who was the entire 331st class at the sumo school since he was the sole shindeshi from the 2012 Kyushu basho.

Current students watching the presentations.

Congratulatory address from Kokonoe-oyakata (former Yokozuna Chiyonofuji).

And more congratulations from Prof. Makoto Takeuchi, who teaches the history of sumo at the school.

Singing the sumo training song.

A priceless expression from Takanohana. The man with the hyoshigi is former Makushita rikishi and noted sumo jinku singer Kuninishiki.

Group shot. Looks like Miyamoto was the only 2012 Aki shindeshi to attend - Ginga rapidly retired, and Kidai presumably is injured/ill as he was kyujo from the Natsu basho.

Daishoki, Daishoho, John Steed Endo and Daishozen - the four Oitekaze-beya shindeshi from the Haru basho are now studying at the sumo school, along with all the other shindeshi from the Haru basho.

Another shot of Endo.

Edited June 2, 2014 by Yubinhaad

[Naganoyama 6,042]

It must be pretty unusual to have a sekitori at the sumo school.

[Washuyama 662]

Takanohana: "Uh-oh! I thought that was gonna be a fart."

[Akinomaki 41,839]

It must be pretty unusual to have a sekitori at the sumo school.

Nikkan reports about in charge Kabutoyama-oyakata that he thinks it's the first time they will have a trainee with a white training mawashi at the practical skill lessons.

Essentially sekitori don't have to go to the institute, but Oitekaze-oyakata wants Endo to complete the half year, except for the time the jungyo takes place.

[krindel 688]

Did Daikiho / Yamaguchi or Chiyotairyu attend for example?

I think they are the most recent example I can remember of a tsukedashi jumping to sekitori status in less than a year...

[Akinomaki 41,839]

Daily writes that lately rikishi from university background are no longer exempt from the practical skill lessons, which they were in the past.

Endo: "Cause it's the rule. But spare me the running in the morning."

Did Daikiho / Yamaguchi or Chiyotairyu attend for example?

I think they are the most recent example I can remember of a tsukedashi jumping to sekitori status in less than a year...

All have to attend.

The only case of a sekitori there that I remember from the news is Musoyama, the school being for only 6 months.

.

[Akinomaki 41,839]

Sponichi says he's the first sekitori continuing to attend - so Musoyama (and Wajima of course) must have quit.

[Asashosakari 20,272]

... so Musoyama (and Wajima of course) must have quit.

Miyabiyama, Futeno and Takekaze also made it in two basho.

Edit: The most recent Asashio, too.

Edited May 31, 2013 by Asashosakari

[Yubinhaad 11,974]

Daily writes that lately rikishi from university background are no longer exempt from the practical skill lessons, which they were in the past.

Endo: "Cause it's the rule. But spare me the running in the morning."

(Laughing...) Nice try, but no dice - the Kyokai said that on June 3rd at 7am, the students will run three laps of the Kokugikan. Despite the short hair, as a sekitori he would be conspicuous by his absence so he'll surely be there.

[Yubinhaad 11,974]

No shots of the students running around the Kokugikan, but the sumo school is back in session from today.

History teacher Prof. Makoto Takeuchi again, with today's theme being 'Sumo & The Warring States Period'.

Not only the shindeshi attend the sumo school - gyoji and yobidashi also attend. On the right in the white shirt is Kimura Kintaro, and next to him in the blazer is the newest addition to the ranks - Kimura Yasutaka (木村 泰貴), who joined Takanohana-beya as of June 1st. Behind them is Kyokai PR chief Hakkaku-oyakata, on hand as a guide for a TV program being filmed during the session.

Edited June 2, 2014 by Yubinhaad

[Naganoyama 6,042]

...

Kimura Yasutaka: Huh. I joined Sumo to avoid girls and what happens?

Kimura Kintaro: Yeah. What are they doing here?

[kuroimori 1,634]

...

Kimura Yasutaka: Huh. I joined Sumo to avoid girls and what happens?

Kimura Kintaro: Yeah. What are they doing here?

Oil sumo...? *giggedy*

[Yubinhaad 11,974]

The Kyokai posted some nice pictures from a recent day at the sumo school.

Rikishi arriving at the sumo school at around 6:30am.

The rikishi assemble at 7:00am for roll-call, taken by instructor Sekinoto-oyakata (former Komusubi Iwakiyama).

Following roll-call, the rikishi run three laps of the Kokugikan. From this particular class the best performer has been Tokitsukaze-beya's Ogiryu.

Not sure if these guys have finished or if they just decided to walk it. From left, Takei (Tamanoi-beya), Yakabe (Chiganoura) and Fujiwara (Michinoku).

About to start a basic skills training session.

Matawari, demonstrated by Sekinoto-oyakata.

Some assistance required...

Chiri-chozu practice.

Next is suriashi practice. In the white mawashi, Endo.

Hiroshima and Hamagami have a practice bout, watched by the Takanohana-beya twins and Musashikuni.

Endo practices shiko and suriashi.

And has a practice bout with a fellow student.

And finally some butsugari, with instructor Inagawa-oyakata (former Komusubi Futeno) lending his chest.

With the practical lessons finished, the rikishi move into the classroom, in these shots practising calligraphy.

Endo writes kenkyo (謙虚), modesty or humility.

Musashikuni.

Hakkaku-beya's Kakehashi receives some pointers from the tutor, Kiyoshi Watanabe, who has been teaching calligraphy at the sumo school since 1995.

And with Endo.

Endo with one of his completed works.

Edited June 2, 2014 by Yubinhaad

[Yubinhaad 11,974]

Classes 332 and 333 have graduated from the sumo school, and the Kyokai posted these shots of them receiving their certificates.

Kabutoyama-oyakata (former Maegashira Oikari), one of the instructors.

Congratulatory address from Dewanoumi-oyakata (former Sekiwake Washuyama), who is in charge of the sumo school.

Handing the certificate to one of the graduates.

More congratulations from Rijicho Kitanoumi.

And from Mr Okabe, lecturer on ascetic practices or something along those lines.

Lyrics of the Kyokai's training song.

Once again, former Kuninishiki led everyone in the singing.

Sadogatake-beya's Kotoseigo (left) and Kitanoumi-beya's Shimada (brother of Kitaharima) with their certificates. Along with Endo they were the recipients of an honours prize (yuto-sho, 優等賞) for their excellent grades.

As mentioned by Akinomaki, Endo was absent from the graduation as he recovers from the injury he sustained during the Aki basho. This is his certificate.

These graduates received a kaikin-sho (皆勤賞) honour for perfect attendance during their time at the school. Front row from left: Kotomiyagura, Tsunekawa, Teruju, Kotokojima, Kimishima and Kaiho. Back row from left: Majima, Koba, Takayoshitoshi, Asanishimura, Yakabe and Takei.

And these guys received a seikin-sho (精勤賞) honour for good attendance. Front row: Hamagami, Asaueno, Inanofuji and Baraki. Back row: Daishoho, Onosho, Chiyonokatsu and Ogata.

Sadogatake-oyakata (former Sekiwake Kotonowaka) proudly poses with his three graduates from these classes, Kotoseigo, Kotokojima and Kotomiyagura.

New gyoji and yobidashi also attend the sumo school, and graduating along with the rikishi here are yobidashi Tsurutaro, gyoji Kimura Kintaro, and yobidashi Hiromasa.

Graduation day concludes with a commemorative group photo.

Edited June 2, 2014 by Yubinhaad

[krindel 688]

Group shot. Looks like Miyamoto was the only 2012 Aki shindeshi to attend - Ginga rapidly retired, and Kidai presumably is injured/ill as he was kyujo from the Natsu basho.

Graduation day concludes with a commemorative group photo.

Spot the difference...

[Naganoyama 6,042]

...

New gyoji and yobidashi also attend the sumo school, and graduating along with the rikishi here are yobidashi Tsurutaro, gyoji Kimura Kintaro, and yobidashi Hiromasa.

...

I didn't know they took Siamese twins. They'll have to be very careful to promote them at the same rate...

[Yubinhaad 11,974]

A graduation ceremony was held yesterday for classes 334 and 335, who have finished their term at the sumo school. Makushita Tsukedashi Ichinojo has started his term there as part of class 338, along with the other shindeshi who entered in the Hatsu basho.

Watching oyakata.

Head of the sumo school Dewanoumi-oyakata gives his congratulatory address for the final time - he'll be retiring in April, so somebody else will be running the school.

Rijicho Kitanoumi-oyakata adds his congratulations.

And some more congratulations from Kiyoshi Watanabe, the school's calligraphy and languages tutor.

Singing the school song.

Led as usual by former Makushita Kuninishiki. I wonder if he has an actual job with the Kyokai, or if he comes in specially for the graduation ceremonies.

Graduating along with the rikishi are yobidashi Mikio (left) and gyoji Kimura Soichiro.

Musashikuni with his certificate.

Special commendations were received by these students. At the front are Ryuki (left) and Ito from class 335, who both received a kaikin-sho honour for perfect attendance. Standing from left: Ogiryu (yuto-sho honour prize, class 334), Koike (yuto-sho, class 335), Horikiri (seikin-sho for good attendance, class 334) and Hiroshima (seikin-sho, class 334). Hiroshima's entry to the school must have been pushed back due to the leg injury he suffered in mae-zumo.

Commemorative photograph.

Edited June 2, 2014 by Yubinhaad

[Akinomaki 41,839]

Ichinojo starting class

www.sponichi.co.jp/sports/news/2014/01/31/kiji/K20140131007490700.html

[kuroimori 1,634]

Ichinojo starting class

www.sponichi.co.jp/sports/news/2014/01/31/kiji/K20140131007490700.html

Ichinojo did not start attending classes, classes started attending Ichinojo ;-)

(A fearful rikishi...)

[Yubinhaad 11,974]

As always after a Tokyo basho, it's time for another graduation ceremony at the sumo school. The sole member of class 336 has already retired, so the only graduates this time were the three remaining rikishi of class 337, and one yobidashi.

Rijicho Kitanoumi was in attendance alongside the various teachers and instructors of the school.

Tomozuna-oyakata (former Sekiwake Kaiki) gives his opening address. He recently took over as head of the school, succeeding the retiring former Sekiwake Washuyama.

Tomozuna presents Shinyashiki with his certificate.

Current students of the school, including the Natsu basho's Juryo yusho winner Ichinojo, also attended the ceremony.

The Rijicho gives his congratulatory address.

More words of congratulation from Mitsui-sensei, one of the school's teachers, including some words from a book about Futabayama.

The sumo school song.

Kuninishiki once again leading the singing.

Yobidashi Shuntaro with his graduation certificate.

Class 337 graduates with their graduation and special honours certificates, from left: Shinyashiki (Yuto-sho honour prize), Shingaku and Yasui (both Seikin-sho for good attendance).

Another shot of Ichinojo.

And a final group shot.

[ALAKTORN 346]

Why is “Harumafuji” written on Ichinojo’s kimono?

[torquato 1,075]

Good question. I havn't spotted that out. I'd guess for 2 reasons:
a) They are both fellow Mongolian countryman
b) The DB tells me that Ichinojo belongs to Minato-beya, which belongs to the Tokitsukaze Ichimon. For Harumafuji there is something with Ajigawa-beya, whose Kabu seems at least at some time beeing linked to the Tokitsukaze Ichimon. But I have no clue about this Heya - Kabu - Ichimon stuff anyway...
Anyway. Harumafuji seems to sponsor this young guy a bit for whatever reason.

[Orion 431]

Why is “Harumafuji” written on Ichinojo’s kimono?

It's a yukata (cotton summer garment) and a sekitori has his own pattern made, featuring his name and a design of his choosing. He then gives out bolts of the cloth as gifts. Each stable also has its own design, worn by its own juniors plus heya supporters. I have quite a lot, dating from long ago -- though I can't manage any more the street dancing in the summer months where you can show off the various yukata that show everybody just who your friends are.

Orion