Ranbo and Tochinoyama retire

[Yubinhaad]

Veteran rikishi Ranbo and Tochinoyama, both 40 years old, have retired and have taken sewanin positions in the Kyokai. This double appointment, which follows the sad death of Oko recently, takes the number of sewanin back to 13.

Ranbo was the fifth-oldest rikishi and made his debut in March 1988, the entry class which also produced Yokozuna Takanohana, Wakanohana III and Akebono, as well as Ozeki Kaio and plenty of other sekitori. Ranbo was the last active rikishi from that class, and one of only five active rikishi who made their debut in the 1980s.

Tochinoyama, the sixth-oldest rikishi, entered ozumo as a 21-year-old having competed in amateur sumo for Takushoku University. He started his career with five consecutive 6-1 results to reach Makushita within a year, but that proved to be as far as he would go, spending a total of 86 basho (over 14 years) in the division.

Edited June 18, 2013 by Yubinhaad

[Kintamayama]

I heard Stalone will be playing him in the novie.

[Benevolance]

He's only listed at 178kg? He looks bigger on camera. Or maybe his speed makes him look heavier than he is...

[Swami]

Surely he was heavier than that at some point?

Swami

[Benevolance]

The sumdb has 178.8 listed as his highest weight, for what it's worth. I also noticed he's been shrinking for the last few years. Gravity is a harsh mistress.

[kedevash]

Sewanin, what does it means?

[krindel]

Sewanin, what does it means?

Sewanin are low-ranked retired rikishi who are hired by the NSK (but still belong to a stable) as "helpers". They do relatively simple jobs like carry equipment, set up tents, help with crowd control, and supervise parking lots, and generally run errands...

I think lately the heya owners have also started to hire former rikishi on their own as "odd-job men", but those are not Sewanin, and the stables pay for them themselves.

[yorikiried by fate]

I heard Stalone will be playing him in the novie.

No way you got four Likes for this!

[kedevash]

OK. I understand. So in fact Sewanin are as i understand too old to find a job in the "normal" life so the nhk hires them to give them a better new-life. Thanks for the answer Krindel!

I was always wondering what did the lower rank rikishi who retire when there are about 30. It has to be difficult for them to find a job and a home ect...

[Asashosakari]

So in fact Sewanin are as i understand too old to find a job in the "normal" life so the nhk hires them to give them a better new-life.

No, not really. It's not a charity position, these guys do actual useful work for which the Kyokai would otherwise have to hire civilians or have the work done by oyakata. That sewanin are typically pretty old already (often age 35+) when they take over the position relates to the fact that these are often trusted men who have been doing similar jobs for their home stable already and are really just part-time rikishi during their last few "active" years.

[kuroimori]

OK. I understand. So in fact Sewanin are as i understand too old to find a job in the "normal" life so the nhk hires them to give them a better new-life. Thanks for the answer Krindel! I was always wondering what did the lower rank rikishi who retire when there are about 30. It has to be difficult for them to find a job and a home ect...

They are hired by the

NSK (Nippon Sumou Kyoukai aka Japan Sumo Association),

not to be confused with

NHK (Nippon Housou Kyoukai aka Japan Broadcasting Corporation)

[Asashosakari]

BTW, since the topic of stable-employed ex-rikishi was already raised, I might as well mention something I've been meaning to bring up for a while since he was one of my favourite "faceless" sekitori - Daishoyama the lesser, better known as Daishodai is coaching at Oitekaze-beya nowadays.

[Kintamayama]

I heard Stalone will be playing him in the novie.

No way you got four Likes for this!

Too many or too few?

[Naganoyama]

Obviously too few. 1 added.

[Yubinhaad]

I don't know how wide of the mark 178.8kg is, but it's a damn sight closer than what Ranbo's Kyokai profile has. (Laughing...)

This is as good a time as any for a repost of one of my favourite pictures, Ranbo performing the yumitori-shiki at Kaio's danpatsu-shiki a year ago. Here's another one for good measure.

[ronnie]

I heard Stalone will be playing him in the novie.

No way you got four Likes for this!

Why not? Stalone has never featured in a novie before!

[Kintamayama]

I heard Stalone will be playing him in the novie.

No way you got four Likes for this!

Why not? Stalone has never featured in a novie before!

We do get the joke, yes?

[yorikiried by fate]

I did get the joke, mevertheless on rare occasions I seem to fall into a humor category of my own (including the negative of finding something not funny).

Let's have a group hug and move on!

Edited May 3, 2013 by yorikiried by fate

[Akinomaki]

Ranbou

Sewanin are long time makushita and often shortly juryo rikishi who don't qualify for oyakata status. The similar wakaimonogashira generally have to have been sekitori.

[Kintamayama]

I did get the joke, mevertheless on rare occasions I seem to fall into a humor category of my own (including the negative of finding something not funny).

Let's have a group hug and move on!

Not supposed to be funny. Supposed to be so moronic it raises questions.

[Kintamayama]

Novie?

[Yubinhaad]

The Kyokai posted a picture of the new sewanin, Tochinoyama and Ranbo.

[Yubinhaad]

Takanohana-oyakata makes the final cut at Ranbo's danpatsu-shiki:

[Yubinhaad]

Tochinoyama's danpatsu-shiki was held on Sunday. 300 guests attended, and around 150 of them took part in the hair cutting. In addition to his Kyokai duties as a sewanin, he wants to continue lending his chest in the Chiganoura-beya keikoba for as long as he can.

Having his oichomage prepared.

And at the danpatsu-shiki.

Chiganoura-oyakata makes the final cut.

As I was editing the title I took the opportunity to rewrite the original post, which was written in a bit of a rush and largely Ranbo-focused.

Edited June 18, 2013 by Yubinhaad

[krindel]

Takanohana-oyakata makes the final cut at Ranbo's danpatsu-shiki:

Must be pretty weird for Takanohana to officiate as a respected oyakata at the retirement of one of his "classmates", 10 full years after his own retirement...

Respect to both Ranbo and Tochinoyama, I have always had a soft spot for those who really pledge their lives to sumo even though they are not sekitori material...