Latest stock exchange news - kabu, Oyakata transfers, etc.

[Asashosakari 18,909]

My biggest concern is that with the prevalence of foreigners in the high ranks of sumo, sumo is slowly bleeding oyakata that used to be formidable rikishi. I have written elsewhere about the sharp decline in the number of former Yokozuna that the Kyokai is facing (when Kitanoumi and Kokonoe retire, there will be only 5 left, unless someone manages to convince one of the current ones to stick around, which frankly doesn't seem all that likely).

I dunno...it's just my personal bias, but I'm generally not a fan of former high-ranked athletes becoming high-ranked officials because it tends to lead to rather warped and one-dimensional perspectives. I've come to accept it with sumo because it's the tradition, but I certainly don't feel the organization would lose all that much if a future rijicho was a random (but competent) ex-sekiwake instead of a (dai-)yokozuna. And the recent changes outside of the Kyokai's control (increased transparency requirements, the supervisory board, etc.) will probably also facilitate that getting to the top on the management side will be less dependent on a rikishi's active success now.

IMHO, it would be enough if they could get their future retired foreign high-rankers to remain connected to sumo in freelance roles, the way e.g. Kitanofuji and Konishiki do. The problem isn't so much that several recent yokozuna didn't stay in the Kyokai, but that they essentially washed their hands of Ozumo completely (Akebono, Wakanohana, Asashoryu) so they were lost for any role, not just management.

[krindel 671]

Sure, but its not only a matter of management, but also of a "face" for the organization. I'd have no problem as well with a competent sekiwake being rijicho, but I'd hate it if the whole list of oyakata was full of guys whose careers were more suitable for obscure trivia questions than for admiration.

[Asashosakari 18,909]

That's what I mean - I just don't think the face of the company needs to be more than the proverbial "guy in a suit" in this day and age. Kitanofuji and Mainoumi might have more value for Ozumo in promotional terms than the entire board of directors combined, and IMHO that's how plenty of retired high-rankers could serve useful roles, as a link of sorts between fans and organization, not as representatives of the organization itself.

It would be different if their Kyokai work left the managing oyakata with enough time to do frequent public appearances, but it really doesn't, they're full-time jobs (especially for those who also have a stable). Takanohana is the only one who's tried to do it all after he got on the board, and even he seems to have reduced his public schedule a lot now.

Edited August 1, 2015 by Asashosakari

[Akinomaki 39,978]

Incidentally, Tatsunami-oyakata serving as shimpan replacement for the previous Otowayama still isn't reflected on the jobs listing, so this may have been only a temporary appointment for Nagoya basho.

And now the new Otowayama-oyakata (ex-Kobo) replaces him as of the Aki-basho as a Takanohana-ichimon shimpan.

http://www.hochi.co.jp/sports/sumo/20150911-OHT1T50066.html

[Akinomaki 39,978]

Ex-Kotonishiki, Nakamura so far, got his own kabu now: Asahiyama.

He plans to branch out within this year and to open a new Asahiyama-beya. The old one was closed 1 year ago. He already has the property for the heya secured, in Chiba prefecture, and has one private deshi in Oguruma-beya.

http://www.nikkansports.com/battle/sumo/news/1588717.html

Edited January 6, 2016 by Akinomaki

[WAKATAKE 2,637]

The NSK has tweeted that Bushuyama has acquired the Onogawa kabu, which was originally owned by Kitanoumi.

[Yubinhaad 11,582]

The NSK has tweeted that Bushuyama has acquired the Onogawa kabu, which was originally owned by Kitanoumi.

Not quite; he has switched from Onogawa and is now holding the Kiyomigata myoseki. Whether he's the true owner of that remains to be seen, it was supposedly owned by Tochiozan for a few years now.

[Asashosakari 18,909]

Note for the DB: The renaming of Kitanoumi-beya to Yamahibiki-beya was effective with November 23, not the 21st. (Presumably so that the name change wasn't dated during the basho.)

[Kintamayama 44,560]

The NSK has tweeted that Bushuyama has acquired the Onogawa kabu, which was originally owned by Kitanoumi.

Not quite; he has switched from Onogawa and is now holding the Kiyomigata myoseki. Whether he's the true owner of that remains to be seen, it was supposedly owned by Tochiozan for a few years now.

It is indeed owned by Tochiouzan.

[Asashosakari 18,909]

So I guess the prohibition on kabu loans that was allegedly part of the new regulations instituted two years ago either never existed or has quietly gone out of the window...after we already saw ex-Kobo and ex-Bushuyama move from one borrowed kabu to another, we now have freshly retired Daido outright entering a new loan arrangement for the Onogawa share, if the updated oyakata listing on the Kyokai site is to be believed.

[Raishu 207]

So I guess the prohibition on kabu loans that was allegedly part of the new regulations instituted two years ago either never existed or has quietly gone out of the window...

When I learned about Daido's retirement and his adoption of the Onogawa share, I thought the exact same thing.

Let's wait and see whether this will lead to other eligible ex-sekitori in the lower divisions (Sagatsukasa comes to mind) to call it quits in the near future.

[WAKATAKE 2,637]

The retirement of Tosayutaka also seems to be validating that point. He now has the Ajigawa kabu on loan from Aminishiki.

[Tamanaogijima 743]

Oh, is it that time of the biennium again...? When all of a sudden all the rank-and-filers (who barely meet the criteria) decide to call it quits -- and just ten days later cast their very first vote in a rijikai election? :-)

Seven kabu still to spare, wouldn't be too surprised if some of them find a new holder in the next few days.

[Pikenoyama 27]

The retirement of Tosayutaka also seems to be validating that point. He now has the Ajigawa kabu on loan from Aminishiki.

And if I am not mistaken, through this Tosayutaka/Ajigawa has become the youngest oyakata in service.

[Akinomaki 39,978]

Chiganoura in his retirement (Apr. 10th) conference expressed his intention to apply for re-employment till 70.

No successor yet named for the heya, that will be decided beginning of April.

http://www.nikkansports.com/battle/sumo/news/1621229.html

Edited March 24, 2016 by Akinomaki

[Akinomaki 39,978]

Chiganoura-oyakata named as his successor to the heya ex-Takamisugi, presently Tokiwayama-oyakata in Takanohana-beya.
He didn't find a successor in Dewanoumi-ichimon - Tokiwayama worked as a Nagoya-basho responsible oyakata, for which Chiganoura was the top.
The NSK will announce it officially tomorrow - they'll swap myoseki and the heya name stays the same.
http://www.sanspo.com/sports/news/20160407/sum16040720370001-n1.html

[Yubinhaad 11,582]

Chiganoura-oyakata named as his successor to the heya ex-Takamisugi, presently Tokiwayama-oyakata in Takanohana-beya.

He didn't find a successor in Dewanoumi-ichimon - Tokiwayama worked as a Nagoya-basho responsible oyakata, for which Chiganoura was the top.

The NSK will announce it officially tomorrow - they'll swap myoseki and the heya name stays the same.

http://www.sanspo.com/sports/news/20160407/sum16040720370001-n1.html

Huh. I thought the whole point of Inagawa-oyakata (ex-Futeno) moving there was as the successor to the heya. Maybe they've decided he needs more experience and will still take over when Takamisugi retires in ten years. Anyway, it's all official now, the Kyokai website has been updated accordingly and the old and new shisho have shaken hands on the deal, so to speak:

[Asashosakari 18,909]

Huh. I thought the whole point of Inagawa-oyakata (ex-Futeno) moving there was as the successor to the heya. Maybe they've decided he needs more experience and will still take over when Takamisugi retires in ten years.

"Huh?" was exactly my reaction, too. Too bad the current Kyokai site no longer sorts the stables by ichimon, I'm curious if it's the heya or the shisho who's moving across.

Takamisugi leaving Takanohana-beya seems to come at a rather untimely moment, what with the recent brouhaha about Takanohana's new jungyo post meaning he'll have less time to spend on coaching. Can't be great news that he's now losing one of his two affiliated oyakata as well...

Edited April 8, 2016 by Asashosakari

[Akinomaki 39,978]

"Huh?" was exactly my reaction, too. Too bad the current Kyokai site no longer sorts the stables by ichimon, I'm curious if it's the heya or the shisho who's moving across.

The papers seem to be not that well informed about this.

Asahi titles: Chiganoura-beya goes to Takanohana-ichimon http://www.asahi.com/articles/ASJ485QWDJ48UTQP028.html

but doesn't give any additional information backing that claim, simply telling that a heya leaving the firmly connected Dewanoumi-ichimon is an exceptional event.

Sanspo though tells that according to those with connections, there are no plans for the heya to move to Takanohana-ichimon in the near future. http://www.sanspo.com/sports/news/20160408/sum16040816350001-n1.html

The new Tokiwayama-oyakata plans to be Chiganoura-beya affiliated oyakata, his re-employment till 70 was confirmed by the NSK today. http://mainichi.jp/articles/20160409/k00/00m/050/035000c

Jiji calls it re-employed as subcontractor. http://www.jiji.com/jc/article?k=2016040800649&g=spo

Edited April 8, 2016 by Akinomaki

[Orion 431]

"Huh?" was exactly my reaction, too. Too bad the current Kyokai site no longer sorts the stables by ichimon, I'm curious if it's the heya or the shisho who's moving across.

The papers seem to be not that well informed about this.

Asahi titles: Chiganoura-beya goes to Takanohana-ichimon http://www.asahi.com/articles/ASJ485QWDJ48UTQP028.html

but doesn't give any additional information backing that claim, simply telling that a heya leaving the firmly connected Dewanoumi-ichimon is an exceptional event.

Sanspo though tells that according to those with connections, there are no plans for the heya to move to Takanohana-ichimon in the near future. http://www.sanspo.com/sports/news/20160408/sum16040816350001-n1.html

The new Tokiwayama-oyakata plans to be Chiganoura-beya affiliated oyakata, his re-employment till 70 was confirmed by the NSK today. http://mainichi.jp/articles/20160409/k00/00m/050/035000c

Jiji calls it re-employed as subcontractor. http://www.jiji.com/jc/article?k=2016040800649&g=spo

Ouch. Looks like I'm going to be running around to find out what changed a done deal which has been reported for a year or two, leaving a young, very able oyakata in limbo -- the Dewanoumi succession is already locked up, with two brothers and the deeply obligated Kim. Has Takanohana been working behind the scenes again?

Orion, left-footed

[Akinomaki 39,978]

Hochi reports that it is yet undecided which ichimon the heya will belong to, but we'll know soon:

New Chiganoura: "We're having the kyokai check if there hasn't been a case like that in the past. I'll decide around the start of the week." http://www.hochi.co.jp/sports/sumo/20160409-OHT1T50100.html

Nikkan gives the story as ex-Takamisugi becoming a shisho in Dewanoumi-ichimon. http://www.nikkansports.com/battle/sumo/news/1629076.html

Asahi titles: Chiganoura-beya goes to Takanohana-ichimon http://www.asahi.com/articles/ASJ485QWDJ48UTQP028.html

but doesn't give any additional information backing that claim, simply telling that a heya leaving the firmly connected Dewanoumi-ichimon is an exceptional event.

Sanspo though tells that according to those with connections, there are no plans for the heya to move to Takanohana-ichimon in the near future. http://www.sanspo.com/sports/news/20160408/sum16040816350001-n1.html

Edited April 10, 2016 by Akinomaki

[Asashosakari 18,909]

[2015 changes, 2014 changes, 2013 changes, 2012 changes, mid-2011 changes (post-yaocho scandal), 2011 changes, mid-2010 changes (post-gambling scandal), 2010 changes...usually with further posts following the ones linked.]

Better late than... As promised in the election thread, the full summary of the organizational changes last month when the new directors etc. took up their positions. Since it's already been a while since the election took place, a quick reminder of what happened in the executive ranks:

Riji (directors):

out: Chiganoura (ex-Masudayama, turned 65 this month), Dekiyama (ex-Dewanohana, turns 65 in May), Tomozuna (ex-Kaiki, turns 65 in June 2017)

continuing: Hakkaku (ex-Hokutoumi), Isegahama (ex-Asahifuji), Kagamiyama (ex-Tagaryu), Nishonoseki (ex-Wakashimazu), Oguruma (ex-Kotokaze), Takanohana (ex-...you know)

in: Dewanoumi (ex-Oginohana), Kasugano (ex-Tochinowaka), Sakaigawa (ex-Ryogoku), Yamahibiki (ex-Ganyu)

Fuku-riji (vice-directors):

out: Izutsu (ex-Sakahoko)

continuing: Shibatayama (ex-Onokuni), Tamanoi (ex-Tochiazuma)

in: Fujishima (ex-Musoyama)

Yakuin taigu (appointed executives):

out: Fujishima (voted in as vice-director)

continuing: Michinoku (ex-Kirishima), Takasago (ex-Asashio), Yamashina (ex-Onishiki)

in: Chiganoura, Dekiyama, Tomozuna

The yakuin ranks are temporarily very crowded with that, but it's just the usual assignment for the outgoing riji trio so that they get to spend their final days on the job with a major job title rather than among the rank-and-file.

No such courtesy for Izutsu, who was defeated in the runoff vote for the last deputy director post, and has been dropped straight into the riffraff like Kokonoe was two years ago.

The many, many job changes (directors in normal face, vice-directors in bold, yakuin in italics):

Role	Old	New
Rijicho (Chairman)	Hakkaku	Hakkaku
Operations director	Oguruma	Oguruma
General Enterprises director	Takanohana	Kagamiyama
Public Relations director	Dekiyama	Kasugano
Guidance director	Takanohana	Kagamiyama
Lifestyle Guidance director	Takanohana	Kagamiyama
Crisis Control director	Takanohana	Kagamiyama
Competition Inspection chairman	Takanohana	Kagamiyama
Shimpan director	Isegahama	Nishonoseki
Sumo School director	Tomozuna	Yamahibiki
Security director	Dekiyama	Kasugano
Osaka Basho director	Kagamiyama	Isegahama
Nagoya Basho director	Chiganoura	Dewanoumi
Kyushu Basho director	Nishonoseki	Sakaigawa
Jungyo Director	Oguruma	Takanohana
Museum Committee member	Oguruma Takanohana Dekiyama Tamanoi	Oguruma Kagamiyama Kasugano Fujishima
Supporters Committee chairman	Oguruma	Oguruma
Operations vice-director	Tamanoi	Fujishima
General Enterprises vice-director	Yamashina	Yamashina
Public Relations vice-director	Tamanoi	Shibatayama Dekiyama
Guidance vice-director	Michinoku	Michinoku Chiganoura
Lifestyle Guidance vice-director	(Tateyama) (Asahiyama)	-
Competition Inspection vice-chairman	Takasago	Takasago
Shimpan vice-director	Izutsu Fujishima	Fujishima Tomozuna
Security vice-director	Tamanoi Shibatayama	Tamanoi Shibatayama
Jungyo vice-director	Shibatayama	Tamanoi Shibatayama

Notes:

- For those new to it: The first four entries in the list (Chairmanship, Operations, General, PR) are generally seen as the top four jobs in the Kyokai, in that order.

- Kagamiyama is the somewhat surprising new #3 in the Kyokai's hierarchy, taking over the lot from Takanohana. He never made much of an impression (on me anyway) as either head shimpan before 2014 or as Osaka director the last couple of years, so I can't help but think this is done mostly to keep both Takanohana and Isegahama away from the more important posts.

- Dewanoumi-ichimon's influence has been somewhat reduced, which doesn't come as a surprise after one of their directors passed away and the other two retired, leaving the group with four newcomers on the board, but Kasugano does immediately go to the #4 post as the head of public relations.

- The deputy posts for Chiganoura and Dekiyama are just nominal assignments as they will lapse again soon (or already has for Chiganoura), while Tomozuna has received a "real job" as the new deputy shimpan, although that means they'll have to make a temporary appointment to replace him in summer next year. It's arguably a higher-profile position than he had as director of the sumo school... (Perhaps that's the point of doing it.)

- I don't quite know what's going on with Tamanoi. I was already surprised that he wasn't among the four new Dewanoumi nominations for the board of directors, and now he's even giving up the two most important job titles he had (in Operations and PR), keeping only the rather less relevant post in Security and getting a new shared role in the Jungyo department. I hope it's just a case of him trying to concentrate more on running his stable, and not anything health-related or the like.

- The deputy post in Lifestyle Guidance seems to have been eliminated. This used to be a real job (of sorts), before it was given to Takasago several years ago mostly to placate him after he lost his ichimon's support as director. Two years ago they transferred it over to outgoing director Tateyama (ex-Tamanofuji), in one of those final-year yakuin assignments (he retired in November 2014), then did the same thing for Asahiyama (ex-Daiju) for his final two months last year after he departed from the shimpan leadership. The post was not filled again after Asahiyama retired in March 2015, and as it's still empty now after a "big" job rotation, I presume it's been made redundant altogether.

Changes in the lower oyakata ranks to come in a separate post.

Edited January 28, 2017 by Asashosakari

[Asashosakari 18,909]

On a preliminary note, somehow it looks like we never got around to mentioning the knock-on effect from this:

Incidentally, Tatsunami-oyakata serving as shimpan replacement for the previous Otowayama still isn't reflected on the jobs listing, so this may have been only a temporary appointment for Nagoya basho.

And now the new Otowayama-oyakata (ex-Kobo) replaces him as of the Aki-basho as a Takanohana-ichimon shimpan.

http://www.hochi.co.jp/sports/sumo/20150911-OHT1T50066.html

This of course meant that ex-Kobo would be leaving his posts as sumo school coach and kimarite oyakata, and he was replaced by...Shiranui? Hands up everyone who ever thought, during his active career, that ex-Wakakoyu would end up coaching the newbies... Edited April 20, 2016 by Asashosakari

[Feginowaka 53]

[2015 changes, 2014 changes, 2013 changes, 2012 changes, mid-2011 changes (post-yaocho scandal), 2011 changes, mid-2010 changes (post-gambling scandal), 2010 changes...usually with further posts following the ones linked.]

Better late than... As promised in the election thread, the full summary of the organizational changes last month when the new directors etc. took up their positions. Since it's already been a while since the election took place, a quick reminder of what happened in the executive ranks:

...

...

...

WOW, great work and overview!

Thank you (I am not worthy...)

[Asashosakari 18,909]

(Note: I'm using the oyakata names as they were at the end of March when these changes were published, so ex-Takamisugi will be referred to as Tokiwayama-oyakata even though he has since switched his kabu with Chiganoura-oyakata, ex-Masudayama. Also, oyakata mentioned below without a coming-from or going-to department had no specific role before / have no specific role now.)

Shindeshi-kensa committee (5 members):

I usually don't mention these guys since the committee's membership is fixed by role, but for completeness: As always, the oyakata in charge of examining the new recruits consist of the shimpan chief (now Nishonoseki, replacing Isegahama), all three vice-directors (Tamanoi, Shibatayama, Fujishima) regardless of their involvement in the shimpan department, and if applicable any yakuin taigu executive who serves as deputy shimpan (now Tomozuna).

Competition Inspection committee (chairman, deputy, 6 members):

Lots of changes among the yaocho watchdogs this year. Kagamiyama takes over as chairman from Takanohana, with Takasago continuing as his right-hand man.

out: Kise (ex-Higonoumi) & Tatsunami (ex-Asahiyutaka) to jungyo, Tagonoura (ex-Takanotsuru) & Tokitsukaze (ex-Tokitsuumi) to shimpan

continuing: Kokonoe (ex-Chiyonofuji), Musashigawa (ex-Musashimaru)

in: Izutsu (ex-Sakahoko) from shimpan deputy, Takashima (ex-Koboyama) from shimpan, Isenoumi (ex-Kitakachidoki) from Osaka, Sadogatake (ex-Kotonowaka) from jungyo

Sumo school (director, 4 coaches):

No changes here beyond Yamahibiki taking over the department from Tomozuna; Inagawa (ex-Futeno), Kabutoyama (ex-Oikari), Sekinoto (ex-Iwakiyama) and Shiranui (ex-Wakakoyu) continue in their coaching roles. Oyama (ex-Daihi) also maintains his position as an extra 5th kimarite official (see discussion in the 2015 thread), although it's now his only role - more below in the jungyo section.

Shimpan committee (director, two deputies, 20 members):

As detailed in the previous post two-thirds of the leadership have changed, with Nishonoseki replacing Isegahama as chief shimpan, and Tomozuna replacing Izutsu as deputy alongside Fujishima. 14 oyakata will continue as part of the shimpan crew, half a dozen spots have changed.

out: Dewanoumi and Sakaigawa to their new director posts, Takashima (ex-Koboyama) to Inspection, Kiriyama (ex-Kurosegawa, turns 65 next month), Kumegawa (ex-Kotoinazuma), Minezaki (ex-Misugiiso)

continuing: Asakayama (ex-Kaio), Azumazeki (ex-Ushiomaru), Jinmaku (ex-Fujinoshin), Kataonami (ex-Tamakasuga), Minato (ex-Minatofuji), Nishikido (ex-Mitoizumi), Onaruto (ex-Dejima), Otowayama (ex-Kobo), Sanoyama (ex-Chiyotaikai), Shikihide (ex-Kitazakura), Shikoroyama (ex-Terao), Takadagawa (ex-Akinoshima), Tatekawa (ex-Tosanoumi), Urakaze (ex-Shikishima)

in: Tagonoura (ex-Takanotsuru) & Tokitsukaze (ex-Tokitsuumi) from Inspection, Hanaregoma (ex-Tamanoshima), Irumagawa (ex-Tochitsukasa), Kasugayama (ex-Hamanishiki), Takenawa (ex-Tochinonada)

The shimpan committee has become significantly younger with that, as the six departing members were 57 years old on average, while five of the new members are between the ages of 38 and 42, with Irumagawa (turns 58 soon) as the only oldie.

The old ichimon symmetry (5 groups providing 4 members each) was broken when Takanohana's group received a spot at the expense of Isegahama-ichimon a year ago, and my expectation that they'd be "trading around" the missing spot to another ichimon this year wasn't fulfilled - quite the contrary, Isegahama has even lost another spot, and the Tokitsukaze group is now providing 5 oyakata, which might be unprecedented. Add in Isegahama-oyakata himself leaving the chief job, and the two senior yokozuna won't be seeing many familiar faces around the dohyo this year.

(Further trivia note: When ex-Kobo replaced the late Takanonami in the middle of last year, I believe he became the first ever shimpan to be merely toshiyori-ranked.)

Jungyo department (director, two deputies, 9 members):

The well-publicized new guy in charge is Takanohana, replacing Oguruma who was pulling double duty here and in Operations since Kitanoumi's death. Shibatayama continues as deputy, now joined by fellow vice-director Tamanoi in a newly-created position. The rest of the department has undergone quite a revamp, moreso than in past years.

out: Sadogatake (ex-Kotonowaka) to Inspection, Takasaki (ex-Kinkaiyama) to Osaka, Kitajin (ex-Kirinji, turns 65 in March 2018), the previously mentioned Oyama (ex-Daihi, turns 65 in October 2017), Shiratama (ex-Kototsubaki)

continuing: Edagawa (ex-Aogiyama), Onoe (ex-Hamanoshima), Onomatsu (ex-Masurao), Sendagawa (ex-Toki)

in: Kise (ex-Higonoumi) & Tatsunami (ex-Asahiyutaka) from Inspection, Ikazuchi (ex-Kakizoe), Tanigawa (ex-Hokutoriki), Tatsutagawa (ex-Homasho)

Another department that has become quite young now; Shibatayama and Onomatsu are the only ones older than 47.

Osaka Basho department (director, 5 members):

Another new leader with Isegahama taking over from Kagamiyama, but the team remains largely unchanged: Isenoumi (ex-Kitakachidoki) moved to Inspection and was replaced by Takasaki (ex-Kinkaiyama) from the jungyo department. Fujigane (ex-Daizen), Hatachiyama (ex-Tochinohana), Nakadachi (ex-Oginishiki) and Nakagawa (ex-Asahisato) continue on.

Nagoya Basho department (director, 5 members):

Dewanoumi in and Chiganoura out as director, and the department has now been brought up to par with Osaka with the new addition of a 5th employee in Iwatomo (ex-Kimurayama). The previous quartet of Tatsutayama (ex-Sasshunada), Tokiwayama (ex-Takamisugi), Wakafuji (ex-Otsukasa) and Wakamatsu (ex-Asanowaka) stay on. I do wonder if Tokiwayama's recent takeover of Chiganoura-beya will eventually spell the end of his time here; he's now the only shisho working in one of the basho teams. (Osaka departee Isenoumi was previously the only one.)

Kyushu Basho department (director, 5 members):

And of course the department head changed here, too, with Sakaigawa coming in for Nishonoseki. This team was also upgraded to five members now, adding Tamagaki (ex-Tomonohana). The other four are Hanakago (ex-Daijuyama), Matsugane (ex-Tamarikido), Mihogaseki (ex-Tochisakae) and Yamawake (ex-Buyuzan).

On a side note, one member of each basho team is now listed as having a permanent presence in Kyokai HQ, these being Takasaki for Osaka, Tatsutayama for Nagoya and Mihogaseki for Kyushu. Previously, HQ positions were only given for the top 4 directors and their respective department deputies. I have no idea what that's going to mean in practice, but it seems noteworthy given that ordinary oyakata are normally never designated as such.

Kasugano-beya is remarkably well-represented in the basho teams these days, with four of the heya's six affiliated oyakata working in these departments. (Fujigane/Hatachiyama for Osaka, Iwatomo for Nagoya and Mihogaseki for Kyushu.) More generally, things are very Dewanoumi-heavy; the ichimon now holds down 2 of the 3 director positions and provides 8 out of 15 team members.

Ticketing/Gate (3 members):

No changes here, it's still Hamakaze (ex-Gojoro), Katsunoura (ex-Kirinishiki) and Matsuchiyama (ex-Banryuyama. The latter turns 65 in a couple of weeks, however, remains to be seen what the plan is here.

Press Club (2 members):

Futagoyama (ex-Miyabiyama) is leaving here as he was selected to one of the quasi-independent councillor positions, and after quite a while the press club will finally be staffed by two oyakata again. The choices are unsurprising with Naruto (ex-Kotooshu) and Furiwake (ex-Takamisakari); I remain amazed that the latter wasn't picked for this job even earlier.

One more post coming with the oyakata rank changes.

Edited April 22, 2016 by Asashosakari