Retirees after Hatsu 2019

[Asashosakari 19,593]

Yubinhaad was right, it's a relatively long list of retirements this basho - aside from already known Takanoiwa, Kisenosato and Takekaze, there are another 18 rikishi who are leaving the sumo world at this time:

Kansei (Sakaigawa)
Asahiryu (Asahiyama)
Kotootori (Sadogatake)
Saio (Nishikido)
Sasayama (Kise)
Tochiminato (Kasugano)
Hokutohana (Hakkaku)
Isenohana (Isegahama)
Daishoko (Oitekaze)
Tatsunofuji (Isegahama)
Daiisshin (Isegahama)
Hakkairyu (Miyagino)
Masutenryu (Chiganoura)
Watai (Chiganoura)
Hatakeyama (Onoe, banzuke-gai)
Iguchi (Tamanoi, banzuke-gai)
Wakaoyama (Nishiiwa, banzuke-gai)
Inanofuji (Nishikido, banzuke-gai)

Inanofuji is long-absent Shinshunishiki, for whom the Kyokai has inserted a stealth shikona change today both on the change list and in his profile.

(For the DB: Takanoiwa's Hatsu record still needs to be reset to 0-0.)

Edited January 30, 2019 by Asashosakari

[Fukurou 534]

Thanks for this list of post-Hatsu 2019 retirees! You translated that quickly 

[Yubinhaad 11,741]

Sad to see the well-travelled Daiisshin call it a day - that closes the book on the previous Isegahama-beya and Kiriyama-beya, of which he was the last surviving rikishi. I doubt there are many rikishi who can say they served under five different shisho. And he was the last man to get a waridashi win as well!

With that said, on to the first selection of (mostly) danpatsu-shiki pictures. Quite a few so it may take a minute to load. More to come for Hokutohana and Masutenryu, there were a lot and I haven't had a chance to sort and write anything for them yet.

Three of the retirees were the oldest and longest-serving in their respective heya, chief among them Isenohana who retires after a 26-year career, having joined Ajigawa-beya in 1993 as one of the first deshi of former Yokozuna Asahifuji.

 

Spoiler

Isenohana with an oichomage for the first time.

Joined by heya yobidashi Teruya.

Teruya makes his cut in the danpatsu-shiki - guiding the participants is Shunba.

Former Yokozuna Harumafuji makes his cut - Isenohana served as one of his tsukebito.

Isegahama-oyakata makes the final cut for his loyal deshi.

Perhaps members of Isenohana's family.

Looking smart after a tidy-up haircut and a change of clothes.

Greeting a guest.

Following the party Isenohana went out with some of those who entered in the same basho, including Wakatenro, Wakatoba, still active Tenichi, and Sumanofuji, who runs the chanko place where they had the celebration.

 

Kotootori retires after 20 years on the dohyo. He fractured a bone in his foot after a fall early in the basho, but it seems to he wanted to go out on the dohyo one last time, returning to the basho on Day 13 with a heavily-bandaged foot. No danpatsu-shiki pictures for him so far, but there were a few of that final bout.

 

Spoiler

On the dohyo for the final time, against Chura.

With flowers afterwards.

Kotootori occasionally had the honour of performing the yumitori-shiki at jungyo events. What the heck is Jiro looking at?!

 

Saio retires after a 14-year career and was one of a handful of rikishi to have a tasukizori win, albeit one that came over a dozen years ago.

(And while we're with Nishikido-beya, they might be down to four rikishi soon, Ryuga apparently departed already in October. It took him six months to actually enter, so maybe it'll take six months for him to actually retire as well. )

 

Spoiler

Saio with his first oichomage as the danpatsu-shiki begins, officiated by heya gyoji Kimura Kintaro.

Mitoryu makes his cut.

The okamisan, singer Yukiko Ono, makes her cut.

Nishikido-oyakata (former Sekiwake Mitoizumi) brings proceedings to an end with the final cut.

Smartly-dressed Saio with the okamisan again.

And finally, back on stage to give a farewell speech.

 

Not on the official list this time is Kiriarashi who retires after 13 years, the highlight of which was a Sandanme yusho in 2014 Natsu, which led to his one and only Makushita appearance. From April he will go to a vocational school to qualify as a physiotherapist, aiming to help people who have suffered with knee injuries as he himself did during his career.

 

Spoiler

The traditional bouquets of flowers from stablemates following his final bout.

I didn't find any shots of the actual cutting, but here is Kiriarashi with Michinoku-oyakata (former Ozeki Kirishima) after the final cut.

With guests Teraoumi and Nishikigi after a haircut and change of clothes.

Souvenirs of the day.

 

Hakkairyu retires after a decade on the dohyo. The koenkai has helped him to find a job as a care worker in Tokushima prefecture, not far from his hometown of Minamiawaji in neighbouring Hyogo.

 

Spoiler

With flowers after his final bout, joined by stablemate Umizaru.

With his first and last oichomage.

Danpatsu-shiki begins. Guiding the participants at this one is heya gyoji Shikimori Seisuke.

Perhaps this was his mother?

Mika Uchimoto, who I think is some kind of fitness trainer type, makes her cut.

Yamaguchi makes his cut.

Enho's turn.

Ishiura next.

Yokozuna Hakuho makes his cut. Hakkairyu served as one of his tsukebito.

And Miyagino-oyakata (former Maegashira Chikubayama) makes the final cut.

A speech from Hakkairyu, and then time for some commemorative pictures.

 

And finally to the Kise-beya party for Sasayama's danpatsu-shiki. As mentioned elsewhere, he is the older brother of Juryo returnee Daiseido, retiring now after an 11-year career.

 

Spoiler

With flowers outside the Kokugikan after his final bout on Day 13. Sasayama continued to serve as Akiseyama's tsukebito for the remaining two days of the basho.

To the danpatsu-shiki now.

Kiseoka makes his cut.

I can't work out who the officiating rikishi is, but here he makes his own cut.

Former stablemate Kisenowaka makes his cut.

Unfortunately a rather blurry picture as Sasayama's brother Daiseido makes his cut.

Kise-oyakata (former Maegashira Higonoumi) makes the final cut.

And finally, Sasayama after a haircut and change of clothes, with stablemate Daishiryu.

 

[Sakura 1,495]

That teddy bear is so cute!

[Gurowake 4,096]

What happened to Asahiryu?  When I saw that name I expected someone to have something ready to talk about.

[Kintamayama 45,484]

29 minutes ago, Gurowake said:

What happened to Asahiryu?  When I saw that name I expected someone to have something ready to talk about.

Interesting indeed. Speedy climbing Mongolian who settled down in mid-Makushita and was not in Hatsu. Asahiyama beya, but the db says Oguruma beya too. How is that possible?ex-Kotonishiki was a coach at Oguruma when he established his heya and took him along? I don't remember.

[rhyen 1,844]

He joined Asahiyama oyakata just before he got the kabu and permission to open his own heya.

[Otokonoyama 2,735]

 

[Sakura 1,495]

Aside from the thumbs up ex-Takekaze looks like he's on his way to the office. Which I suppose he is. What jobs in the NSK do recently-retired kabu-holding rikishi do? I haven't seen any appointments mentioned. Is it a sort of general training time?

[Jakusotsu 6,037]

It's not uncommon that retired rikishi look much younger in regular clothes, but Takekaze is overacting by far.

[Yubinhaad 11,741]

Almost forgot, sorry for the delay but here are the danpatsu-shiki pictures I mentioned for Masutenryu and Hokutohana.

First Masutenryu, who retires after nine years and will return to his home prefecture Gunma where he will be working for a security company.
 

Spoiler

Outside the Kokugikan, where he was greeted with flowers by Tokosen, Tochinoyama and Wakaseiun.

Chiganoura-beya's tokoyama Tokosen creates Masutenryu's first and last oichomage.

Danpatsu-shiki begins, here Yuriki makes his cut.

Wakaseiun.

Taichiyama.

Takataisho.

Takakento.

Takatenshu.

Masunoyama.

Burinosato.

Heya urakata next, starting with yobidashi Hiroshi.

Tokoyama Tokosen.

Gyoji Kimura Hideaki.

Sewanin Ranbo.

Sewanin Tochinoyama.

Now the heya sekitori, starting with Takagenji.

Takakeisho.

Takanosho and Masutenryu joined together in March 2010, and Masutenryu served as his tsukebito since Takanosho became a sekitori.

The previous okamisan, wife of the former shisho, makes her cut.

And now the former shisho, Tokiwayama-oyakata (former Sekiwake Masudayama), makes his cut.

Chiganoura-oyakata (former Komusubi Takamisugi) brings the danpatsu-shiki to an end with the final cut.

Koenkai member Kitano runs a barber shop in Itami, Hyogo prefecture and is often seen at heya danpatsu-shiki, giving new retirees their first proper haircut.

With his haircut completed, Masutenryu dressed in a suit which was a gift from Tokosen, while the tie and handkerchief came from Masutoo.

The following day Tokosen repaired the severed mage which was then placed in a display case as a souvenir for Masutenryu.

 

And now to Hakkaku-beya's senshuraku party for Hokutohana's danpatsu-shiki.
 

Spoiler

Hokutohana with an oichomage for the first time, outside Hakkaku-beya.

Hokutohana entered ozumo in March 2008 as part of a group of nine shindeshi for Hakkaku-beya. With his retirement, only Hokutoo (who contested the kettei-sen for the Jonidan yusho this basho) remains. Here they pose for a picture with another of their group, ex-Hokutosho.

Danpatsu-shiki underway, Fujinotani makes his cut.

Hokutokawa, who we'll see again later doing some more cutting...

Hokutotsuru, I think.

Hokutofuji.

Okinoumi.

Hakkaku-oyakata (former Yokozuna Hokutoumi) makes the final cut.

A speech from Hokutohana.

Hokutokawa was tasked with cutting some more hair, this time giving Hokutohana a buzzcut with some clippers.

The traditional struggle of the newly-retired rikishi - putting on a tie for the first time.

And finally, the celebrations were rounded off with some karaoke.

 

I was reminded to post those by an unexpected late intai from Takadagawa-beya - Akinohana has suddenly retired after 11 years. He made his debut in March 2008 alongside his twin brother Akinoyama, who is sticking around. The heya posted three pictures from his danpatsu-shiki a week ago.
 

Spoiler

A commemorative picture with the rest of the heya.

Akinoyama makes his cut.

And finally, Takadagawa-oyakata (former Sekiwake Akinoshima) makes the final cut.

 

Edited February 12, 2019 by Yubinhaad

[Akinomaki 40,703]

On 30/01/2019 at 22:10, Yubinhaad said:

Isenohana who retires after a 26-year career, having joined Ajigawa-beya in 1993 as one of the first deshi of former Yokozuna Asahifuji.

Isenohana retiring at age 44: "I did sumo in full and complete." Plagued by knee injuries he only made it to makushita, served for a long time as tsukebito of Harumafuji: "As long as the yokozuna gambarized"  he continued his active career, as Harumafuji left, he got  determined to leave the dohyo himself as well. He now changed his stage to an apple orchard home in Aomori. http://www.toonippo.co.jp/articles/-/151007

[Naganoyama 5,945]

Any reason given for Akinohana's retirement?

I have been following him for the last five years and hoping he would make it to juryo at some point. I first noticed him during the Hatsu Basho of 2014 when I saw these pictures of him and his brother Akinoyama on @Fay's Sumo Web Paper and was fascinated by how different they were.

(I was determined to do a Morph of them but it took me almost 2 years to work out how on earth that was possible - I finally came up with this) 

He was tsukebito to Tamawashi so I suppose at least he went out on a high.

Edited February 13, 2019 by Naganoyama

[Akinomaki 40,703]

Sasayama told his brother Daiseido 6 months ago about his plans to retire. Daiseido all the time followed his brother in sumo, from first grade to high school to ozumo, and he wanted to show his gratitude by good results and see him off as sekitori - at least he managed to do it with the return to sekitori ensured. Sasayama will work at a restaurant in Tokyo that serves regional cuisine from his home prefecture Aomori: "I want also from now on help to build up excitement for my brother and the home area." http://www.nikkansports.com/battle/column/sumo/news/201901270000085.html

after his last bout on day 13 - at the hanamichi with his brother

[Fay 1,677]

On 30/01/2019 at 23:12, Gurowake said:

What happened to Asahiryu?  When I saw that name I expected someone to have something ready to talk about.

I'm a bit sad to see him go. Officially it's talk about an injury but I guess he didn't want to go on with sumo. It was not his own desire to become a sumo wrestler. His father took him to a tournament in Mongolia and he won without any practising. So he tried in Japan. Too bad he couldn't reach Juryo fast, then he would have stayed I guess. He has a wife and two kids (3 and 1 year old) in Mongolia and missed them much, no chance to live with them in Japan as long he isn't sekitori.

[Yubinhaad 11,741]

On ‎13‎/‎02‎/‎2019 at 11:31, Naganoyama said:

Any reason given for Akinohana's retirement?

I have been following him for the last five years and hoping he would make it to juryo at some point. I first noticed him during the Hatsu Basho of 2014 when I saw these pictures of him and his brother Akinoyama on @Fay's Sumo Web Paper and was fascinated by how different they were.

(I was determined to do a Morph of them but it took me almost 2 years to work out how on earth that was possible - I finally came up with this) 

 

I never thought I'd see two of my great loves morph - not the brothers, but sumo and Kraftwerk.

I haven't seen any reason for his intai, sorry. And the same goes for yet another late one, also one whose brother is staying on...

 

This time it's Hakkaku-beya's Amanishiki who retires after a five-year career, having joined at the relatively late age of 22, two years later than his younger brother Amanoshima. He'll be a loss to the kimarite notes - while not quite as prolific as his brother, Amanishiki still chalked up 19 ashitori wins during his career, along with several other rare techniques.

 

Spoiler

Amanishiki with Hakkaku-oyakata (former Yokozuna Hokutoumi).

Danpatsu-shiki under way. Former Sekiwake Kitaseumi makes his cut - he was an oyakata in Hakkaku-beya until retiring in 2013 (in fact, just before the basho in which Amanishiki made his debut).

Hokutokawa.

Hokutoshin, I think.

Okinohama perhaps?

Can't work out who this cutter is.

Amanishiki's brother Amanoshima makes his cut.

Okinoumi.

Hokutofuji.

And lastly, the shisho makes the final cut.

 

And at last a few pictures from Kotootori's danpatsu-shiki, which wasn't held immediately after the basho.

 

Spoiler

Waiting for the danpatsu-shiki to begin. Holding the tray is heya gyoji Shikimori Kinosuke.

Thumbs up from Kotootori, as a supporter from his hometown of Izumo makes his cut.

Kotoeko.

Ikioi.

The new Shikimori Inosuke is a fellow Izumo native.

Naruto-oyakata (former Ozeki Kotooshu) makes his cut.

Sadogatake-oyakata (former Sekiwake Kotonowaka) makes the final cut for his longest-serving deshi.

Looking smart after a proper haircut and a new suit.

 

Edited February 17, 2019 by Yubinhaad

[Naganoyama 5,945]

Hokutoiwami?

[Akinomaki 40,703]

On 15/02/2019 at 16:17, Akinomaki said:

Sasayama told his brother Daiseido 6 months ago about his plans to retire. Daiseido all the time followed his brother in sumo, from first grade to high school to ozumo, and he wanted to show his gratitude by good results and see him off as sekitori - at least he managed to do it with the return to sekitori ensured. Sasayama will work at a restaurant in Tokyo that serves regional cuisine from his home prefecture Aomori: "I want also from now on help to build up excitement for my brother and the home area."

Sasayama on the 4th in the restaurant in Kitasenju - in charge of frying Hachinohe-maeoki mackerels wiki八戸前沖鯖

In 2017 with Daiseido for his 1st juryo promotion - will there be a 3rd some day?

o

Edited April 18, 2019 by Akinomaki