Preparation of the masses

[Fay]

Some impressions of Sadogatake Beya, hard training, 4 trainers including Kotooshu, delicious chanko and delicious Shochu from Kotoshogiku.

Sadogatake Beya

[Yubinhaad]

Catch-up time, some pictures from the Kyokai of asageiko from three heya last week, starting with Tomozuna-beya.

The heya's ranking board. Half the rikishi of Tomozuna-beya transferred over from Oshima-beya when that heya closed a couple of years ago.

Tomozuna-oyakata (former Sekiwake Kaiki) watches over the session. He celebrated his 62nd birthday on June 12th.

Kaisei gets some advice from Tamagaki-oyakata (former Komusubi Tomonohana).

Veteran Kyokutenho warming up with shiko.

Kaisei warming up with the rubber tubing (or possibly trying to untangle it).

Asahisho opted to use weights for his warm up.

Kyokutaisei, who will make his Juryo debut in the Nagoya basho, in the dohyo for a practice bout.

On the sidelines with Kyokutenho.

Kyokutenho working on the teppo pole. Above it is a portrait of the 22nd Yokozuna, Tachiyama.

Kyokutaisei and Kaisei.

Keiko continues, and Tamagaki-oyakata does some shiko of his own.

Asahisho and Kyokutaisei prepare to start a practice bout.

Kyokutenho lends his chest to Kyokutaisei.

Now Kyokutaisei lends his chest to Asahisho.

And finally, Kyokuhozan with Kaisei.

And the heya's new star poses outside after the end of the session.

Now to Isenoumi-beya on June 9th.

Ikioi warming up with shiko.

Itadaki does some tachi-ai practice against Nishikigi.

And now a practice bout for the same duo.

Nishikigi does some butsugari with Ikioi.

Chiri-chozu brings the session to a conclusion. On the right is veteran Fujiarashi, who has been in sumo for 21 years. He missed the Natsu basho due to injury.

The heya manager, former Sandanme rikishi Setsukozan, shows off some documentation.

Ikioi prepares for his karaoke competition.

"Moshi moshi.. Oh, it's you again. Look, I thought you promised you'd stop calling me if I agreed to enter GTB."

And finally to Miyagino-beya on June 11th.

The heya's ranking board. Miyagino-beya has a number of rookies who are still attending the sumo school. Combined with injuries and Hakuho's understandable absence, only four rikishi took part in this session.

Miyagino-oyakata (former Maegashira Chikubayama) keeps an eye on the session.

Ishiura and Hakkairyu ready to start a practice bout.

And now doing some butsugari-keiko.

Taketoba lends his chest to Hakkairyu. After Yokozuna Hakuho, Taketoba is the second longest-serving rikishi in Miyagino-beya.

Pushups.

Very short suriashi train.

After the end of the session, Ishiura and Hakkairyu warm down with a game of catch outside.

Ishiura and Hakkairyu with the basho poster and a LINE mascot.

[Fay]

Minezaki Beya yesterday with Arawashi and his lower division companions

Minezaki Beya

[Muhomatsu]

Potential Banzuke spoiler in the Tomozuna pictures. On their Board there is a Kainishiki. I think we have our first name change for the July tournament - as it is in the place where Kainokura should have been.

[Naganoyama]

Arawashi is looking much heavier than I have previously noticed. He is up to 130 kg on the NSK site so I guess he must have been working quite hard at gaining weight.

[Fay]

Arawashi is looking much heavier than I have previously noticed. He is up to 130 kg on the NSK site so I guess he must have been working quite hard at gaining weight.

Arawashi told me that he is up to 136 kg now, he gained 20 kg in the past 3 months.

[Fay]

Onomatsu Beya with guests from Takanohana Beya, Takakiho and Takaseiryo

Onomatsu Beya

[Akinomaki]

This time the PIA looong interview was with Oosunarashi http://t2.pia.jp/interview/sp/oosunaarashi.jsp

Edited June 21, 2014 by Akinomaki

[Yubinhaad]

Some asageiko pictures from Dewanoumi-beya, taken on June 19th.

Heya ranking board.

The shisho, former Maegashira Oginohana, watches over the session. He took over the heya in February ahead of the mandatory retirement of his predecessor.

All of his predecessors watch over the keikoba too.

Also on the wall is an illustration of how big Dewanoumi-beya was many years ago - this shows all of the heya members from the 1922 Natsu basho.

In the ring, Dewahayate and Dewanojo have a practice bout.

Dewahayate gets some advice from Nakadachi-oyakata (former Komusubi Oginishiki), the younger brother of the shisho.

Former Juryo Dewaotori warms up with the rubber tubing, held by Aomihama.

Kairyu and Aonosho have a practice bout.

A view from behind the shisho, as former Maegashira Towanoyama lends his chest to Dewanojo.

Dewanoumi-beya's twin brothers, Fujinohana and Fujinoumi, work out together on the sidelines.

Dewahayate lends his chest to Aonosho.

Following the end of keiko, Kihonoumi gets his chonmage repaired by the heya's young tokoyama, Tokoriki.

Tokoriki with one of the tools of his trade.

Finally, Dewahayate poses with the Nagoya basho poster.

[Orion]

I was there there two days ago shepherding some visitors for a friend, but all the cameras were fixed on an American mixed martial arts man who was being given some basic pointers about sumo. Lacking lower body strength and stability he wasn't doing too well, but stuck it out gamely.

Just heard about some tourists in the Kokugikan gift shop this morning, expecting to go into the main arena and watch sumo. When told there's no sumo today, they said they'd try to get into a training session in a heya -- but alas, there's nobody doing that in Tokyo for the next five weeks. Tomorrow is norikomi day, when anybody who hasn't already set off moves to the temporary quarters in Nagoya.

Ryogoku's going to be awfully quiet.

Orion

[Akinomaki]

I was there there two days ago shepherding some visitors for a friend, but all the cameras were fixed on an American mixed martial arts man who was being given some basic pointers about sumo. Lacking lower body strength and stability he wasn't doing too well, but stuck it out gamely.

The news about Roy Nelson (38): http://www.nikkansports.com/battle/news/p-bt-tp0-20140627-1324577.html

With Towanoyama

Edited June 28, 2014 by Akinomaki

[Yubinhaad]

The Kyokai's keiko katch-up kontinues with a visit to two heya, starting with Sadogatake-beya on June 14th.

A portrait of the previous shisho, former 53rd Yokozuna Kotozakura, stands inside the entrance.

Heya ranking board. With 36 active rikishi, Sadogatake is currently the largest heya in sumo.

Juryo-ranked Kotoyuki warming up.

Rather than a towel, he uses a strip of bamboo to wipe off the sweat.

Keeping an eye on the keiko is Shiratama-oyakata (former Maegashira Kototsubaki).

Ozeki Kotoshogiku warming up on the teppo pole. He is kadoban and needs kachi-koshi in the Nagoya basho to retain his rank.

Kotoyuki now warming up with suriashi.

And Kotoshogiku is now using the teppo pole to warm up with the rubber tubing.

Kotohayate and Kotomatsuo have a practice bout.

Kotorikuzan and Kotozensho now in the ring for a bout. The previous two are waiting on the tawara for another turn, along with Kotodairyu.

Kotomanabe does some shiko outside the ring. Next to him is former Juryo Kotomisen.

Kotoshogiku now doing some stretching exercises outside the ring.

Kotodaigo and Kotodairyu engage in a yotsu-zumo battle.

While Kotokobai and Kotokino have an oshi-zumo battle in their bout.

Another look at Kotokobai. He set a new career-high rank of Makushita 7e in the last basho, although he could only manage a 2-5 record.

Kotonoshu gives Kotoyuki a helping hand - or shoulder - with his stretches.

Kotoshogiku, still outside the ring.

The session comes to an end with basic exercises, and singing the heya's keiko song.

]

Kotouruga repaints the shikiri-sen following the end of keiko.

Kotoyuki gets his chonmage repaired by Matsugane-beya's Tokoshima, a regular visitor to Sadogatake-beya.

Finally, the shisho (former Sekiwake Kotonowaka), Kotoyuki and Kotoshogiku pose with the Nagoya basho poster.

And now a visit to Shibatayama-beya on June 21st.

In the blue shirt is the shisho, former 62nd Yokozuna Onokuni, watching over the session.

Heya ranking board. Half of the rikishi in Shibatayama-beya came here from Hanaregoma-beya, when that heya closed last year.

Hasugeyama and Hamadayama prepare for a practice bout.

Following that bout, the two get some words of advice from Juryo-ranked Sakigake.

Sakigake now warming up with the rubber tubing.

Shin-Juryo Wakanoshima warming up outside the ring.

Sakigake.

Ryuseio and Maeta - both among the former Hanaregoma-beya rikishi - prepare for a practice bout.

And now the clash of the heavyweights as Komanokuni and Maeta - both tipping the scales at over 200kg - prepare for a bout.

Shoketsu and Wakanoshima watching the keiko.

Wakanoshima now enters the ring for a bout against Komanokuni.

Sakigake takes his turn, for a bout against Ryuseio.

And now the heya's two sekitori, Wakanoshima and Sakigake, have a bout.

Keiko concludes with basic exercises.

The day's chanko pot is ready for the hungry rikishi.

Finally, Sakigake and Wakanoshima have their chonmage repaired by Tokokado.

[Jakusotsu]

Yikes! That's one nasty scar!

[Yubinhaad]

Some pictures from Chiganoura-beya's Nagoya base.

Ahead of the arrival of the bulk of the heya, yobidashi Mikio prepares the keikoba and Masutoo takes some measurements.

Full keiko didn't start until everyone arrived in Nagoya, so Masunoyama started off with tachi-ai practice and that old favourite, rubber tube exercises.

Having his chonmage repaired by his younger brother, Tokosen.

After everyone made it to Nagoya, full keiko began.

Playing an active part in the session was Inagawa-oyakata (former Komusubi Futeno), who joined Chiganoura-beya a short time ago and will take over the heya in a couple of years when the present shisho reaches retirement age.

Giving some one-on-one lessons to Tsubomi.

Last basho's shindeshi Ishii starts a practice bout against Yakabe.

The shisho (former Sekiwake Masudayama) gives some words of advice to one of his deshi.

And Masutenryu gets some advice from Inagawa-oyakata.

Later, the heya had a pep rally with assorted important guests from the area.

Welcome speech from Masunoyama.

Karaoke from Masunosho and Masunoumi, a sumo jinku from sewanin Tochinoyama, and another song from the shisho.

Edited July 3, 2014 by Yubinhaad

[Kintamayama]

Endou Endou Endou- everywhere it's Endou in the news. If he's not kissing babies, he's at some encouragement party thrown by one of his numerous koenkais. If not there, he's training to crowds of over 400 fans at each session. Now, it appears he will have at least 200 kenshos on his bouts this basho. He is already guaranteed 5 a day for all the days from Nagatanien, and 5 other companies have opted to show one for each day. This is just a few short of Hakuhou's projected numbers. Now, imagine if he does well..

After some light training in the morning, Endou visits the local police station and has a friendly chat with the porikou:

Edited July 9, 2014 by Kintamayama

[Yubinhaad]

Pictures from the Kyokai of asageiko at Shikoroyama-beya, taken on July 2nd.

Wakakoki and Koike prepare to start a practice bout. Seated near the camera is the shisho, former Sekiwake Terao. Also watching the session in the light blue is his older brother, former Juryo Kakureizan.

Bariki and Sotenryu about to collide.

Teraoumi now in the ring with Sotenryu.

Seiro doing some warm-up stretches.

Homasho also warming up, with suriashi.

Wakakoki doing some butsugari-keiko with Daichi as the recipient.

Sotenryu and Matsumoto doing the butsugari in this one.

Sasano does some work on the teppo pole, watched by the shisho.

Rising star Horikiri ready for a practice bout. He is at a new career-high rank of Makushita 11w this basho.

Ohara and Horikiri begin a practice bout.

Ohara gets some words of advice from the shisho.

Back in the ring for a bout with Teraoumi.

Matsumoto and Horikiri begin a practice bout.

Outside the ring, Seiro continues his warm-up with Sasano.

Now in the ring, Seiro has no shortage of volunteers after winning this bout.

Senior sekitori Homasho now in the ring for a bout with Matsumoto.

Aoi and Seiro begin a practice bout. Aoi is making his Makushita debut this basho, and is one of five Shikoroyama-beya rikishi in the third division.

The two sekitori, Seiro and Homasho, now in the ring together.

The shisho gives some advice to Homasho.

After almost five hours, the keiko session finally comes to an end with basic exercises.

Homasho rinses off some of the dirt following the session.

Homasho and Seiro in front of the Nagoya basho poster.

Aichi prefecture natives Ohara, Aoi and Sotenryu with the poster.

[Yubinhaad]

And now some pictures of asageiko at Oitekaze-beya, which for this basho is based in Suzuka, Mie Prefecture.

Daishowaka and Daishomune prepare for a practice bout.

Endo warming up on the sidelines, and also breaking in his new mawashi for the basho.

Warming up with some weights is shin-Juryo Daieisho.

Daishoryu, at a new career-high rank of Makushita 12w this basho, and one of five Oitekaze-beya rikishi in the third division.

Daieisho again, with Daishomune now using the weights behind him.

Daishowaka and Daishonada engage in a yotsu-zumo battle.

Daieisho doing some suriashi and shiko as he continues his warm-up routine.

Daishoiwa and Daishoho have a practice bout. They too are both at career-high ranks this basho, at Makushita 12w and 24w respectively.

Now in his white keiko mawashi, Endo does some warm-up stretches and other basic exercises.

In the ring, Daieisho forces out Kawabata, who is also at a career-high rank of Makushita 6e.

Kawabata gets some advice from the shisho, former Maegashira Daishoyama.

Daieisho now having a practice bout with Daishoryu.

Endo's turn to get some words of advice from the shisho.

Finally the heya's two sekitori enter the ring together. Daieisho wins this bout.

And Endo wins this one.

The shisho now offers some advice to Daieisho.

Endo wins this bout against Daishoryu with a right-hand uwatenage.

Matawari and other basics bring the session to an end. From this end: Endo, Kawabata, Daishoiwa and Daieisho.

Another look at shin-Juryo Daieisho.

Endo speaks to reporters following the session.

Waiting to conduct an interview for the August issue of Anan fashion magazine.

[Andreas21]

Thank you so much, Yubinhaad, for sharing these great pictures. They made me feel like attending the Keiko sessions.

[Yubinhaad]

One more set of pre-basho asageiko pictures from the Kyokai, this time from Tagonoura-beya.

On the left, the shisho (former Maegashira Takanotsuru) watches over the session.

Veteran Wakanosato does some butsugari-keiko with Takasaito.

Takasaito's workout continues, now with Sakabe.

Kisenosato doing a light warm-up.

Wakanosato now lending his chest to Sakabe.

Takanoyama, back in Makushita this basho, doing some stretches.

The shisho and Wakanosato. Both men were born in 1976 and entered sumo together in March 1992. Wakanosato is still going, however, some eight years after the shisho hung up his mawashi.

Takayasu and Takanoyama have a practice bout.

Kisenosato continues his warm-up as Takayasu and Takanoyama grapple on the edge.

The fairest veteran of them all...

Kisenosato working on the teppo pole.

Wakanosato takes a break.

Takanoyama and Takayasu have a yotsu-zumo battle in this bout.

Kisenosato doing some mawashi work with Takasaito.

Wakanosato doing some butsugari-keiko with Takayasu.

Sakabe, Sekizuka and Takayasu in the suriashi train.

Push-ups.

Impressive matawari from Sakabe.

Kisenosato in relaxed mood.

A quiet moment of mokuso, meditation, brings the session to an end.

Takanoyama rolls up his keiko mawashi.

Wakanosato. He celebrated his 38th birthday yesterday, July 10th.

One final shot of Kisenosato. He also celebrated a birthday recently, turning 28 on July 3rd.

[Yubinhaad]

The Kyokai gave us some more pre-basho asageiko pictures, sorry for the delay but they came through yesterday when I was rather pressed for time. First a set from Dewanoumi-beya.

Dewanoumi-beya's lodgings for the Nagoya basho are on a hilltop overlooking the Kiso River.

The shisho (left, former Maegashira Oginohana) and Dekiyama-oyakata (former Sekiwake Dewanohana) watched over the session.

Nakadachi-oyakata (former Komusubi Oginishiki) gives some tips to Dewahayate.

Also present was Yamashina-oyakata (former Komusubi Onishiki), who I don't think I've ever seen before.

Former Juryo Dewaotori does some butsugari-keiko with Bungonishiki. They are two of seven Dewanoumi-beya rikishi in the Makushita division, and Bungonishiki is at a new career-high rank of Mk16e this basho.

Kairyu and Kihonoumi prepare to start a bout. They too are among Dewanoumi-beya's Makushita rikishi.

Heya-gashira Dewahayate, at Makushita 4w he has a chance to reach Juryo with a good kachi-koshi this basho.

Yobidashi performing a furedaiko parade arrive to call out the opening day's torikumi. From left: Akira, Kotozo, Kohei, Keisuke, Teruki and Hiroyuki.

Closer shot of Keisuke and Teruki.

The furedaiko gang leaves.

Another shot of Dewanoumi's heya-gashira Dewahayate, no-flagging.

Fujinohana continues working out after the end of keiko, running up and down the steps near the heya carrying a heavy bag.

Dewanoumi-beya has been staying in these lodgings for the Nagoya basho since 1979, apparently!

Cuisine time, a couple of shots of the chanko being served after today's keiko session.

The heya's hoshitori-hyo is on display and ready to be filled in as the basho progresses.

The rikishi get their chonmage repaired following keiko. On the left, top-ranked Tokoyasu works on Kihonoumi, while junior tokoyama Tokoriki works on Fujinohana.

Sanbonjime (the hand clapping seen during the post-basho gyoji matsuri ceremony) follows prayers for the safety and success of everyone in the upcoming basho.

Dewaotori resting following the keiko session.

The Kyokai photographer then visited the lodgings of Sakaigawa-beya and Tokitsukaze-beya, which are located close by Dewanoumi. By that time keiko had already finished at those heya, so only a few pictures.

Sakaigawa-beya, nobori and entrance to the lodgings.

Myogiryu's honbasho mawashi airing out ready for the opening day of the basho.

Hibikiryu has his chonmage repaired by Tokoteru.

Tokitsukaze-beya, nobori and entrance to the lodgings.

Hamayutaka shows off the empty keikoba.

And pumps some iron.

Finally, last basho's Jonokuchi yusho winner Shodai is on laundry duty.

Edited July 14, 2014 by Yubinhaad

[Washuyama]

Also present was Yamashina-oyakata (former Komusubi Onishiki), who I don't think I've ever seen before.

I would always greet him when I saw him in the KK to watch sumo. He probably thought I was an idiot cause I could never remember his oyakata name and used to greet him as Onishiki-zeki.

He was one of my favorites when I was a kid. Dewanoumi used to bring all the rikishi to the base and the sekitori would sign autographs and pose for pics while the Makushita and below would play softball against the base team. There was a cooler full of beer at each base and before a runner could pass a base, he had to chug a beer. By about the 3rd or 4th inning nobody cared about the score anymore. Doubt you'd see that nowadays with all the political correctness that's run amok..