Michinoku beya likely to close

[Sakura 1,495]

3 hours ago, Asashosakari said:

 totally important reason for Kakuryu to get a kabu real soon 

I always thought the important reason for Kakuryu to get a kabu was because he didn't have one and the Yokozuna 5-year grace period clock is always ticking. But that's just me. 

[RabidJohn 1,855]

On 23/01/2024 at 11:59, Akinomaki said:

Michinoku wants Kirishima to succeed, so he closes down the heya, to have it reopened by Kirishima after he retires.

Context: huge, scandal-related black mark on Michinoku-beya currently, and there have already been reports on this forum that Michinoku will not remain as sanyo after retirement.

My take is: he's hoping the take the black mark with him - career seppuku, if you like.
He doesn't want Kirishima II's active career blighted by any further controversy, and when it's over he'll be able to make a clean start with a new Michinoku-beya.

Of course, there's a danger I'm just a simple-minded fan making non-existent connections...

Edited January 24, 2024 by RabidJohn

[Seiyashi 4,108]

Is there really? I feel like the Michinoku hazing scandal was one of the smaller ones and didn't really have any lingering effects. 

[RabidJohn 1,855]

37 minutes ago, Seiyashi said:

Is there really? 

IMHO, no. But I'm not the editor of any Japanese rags.

[Asashosakari 19,648]

I don't see why dissolving the heya would be necessary for a fresh start. Just to mention the most extreme example: Tokitsukaze-beya's hazing scandal was clearly of a much more dire nature than anything before and after, and even that one was weathered through a simple shisho change with few long-term ill effects for the heya. Sumo not being a team sport, there just isn't a critical mass of (outside) people willing to hold a grudge. I can't even begin to imagine what it would take for a heya to obtain pariah status comparable to, say, the Houston Astros.

The tabloid-floated notion that, post hazing, Michinoku-beya became an assortment of various cliques who just don't want to live together anymore strikes me as a more credible explanation for why breaking up the heya has apparently become the favoured solution.

Edit: Also, the idea that decisions are being made today with a focus on what Kirishima II might want to do ~10 years down the line is pretty much exactly the type of futile search for deep meaning that fans like to engage in which bears almost no relation to the typically mundane nature of how things actually work. Behind the scenes the Kyokai is just another corporation made up of ordinary people trying to get stuff achieved against the background of their interpersonal issues. It's not a secret society of mystics.

Edited January 24, 2024 by Asashosakari

[RabidJohn 1,855]

1 hour ago, Asashosakari said:

Behind the scenes the Kyokai is just another corporation made up of ordinary people trying to get stuff achieved against the background of their interpersonal issues.

They're Homo sapiens same as the rest of us, for sure, but 'ordinary' people? 

I can identify with them getting married and having kids, having to do PR duties, and other mundane stuff, but I've never fantasised about being a rikishi, I'd never willingly subject myself to 15-20 years of living a feudal samurai lifestyle, and I refuse to believe that the experience does not colour their outlook in later life. 

It's a corporation of extraordinary people, IMO.

[Yamanashi 3,903]

1 hour ago, RabidJohn said:

It's a corporation of extraordinary people, IMO.

Methinks the problem is that, while extraordinary, they're not necessarily extraordinary at business and finance (for example).

[Asashosakari 19,648]

5 hours ago, RabidJohn said:

They're Homo sapiens same as the rest of us, for sure, but 'ordinary' people? 

I can identify with them getting married and having kids, having to do PR duties, and other mundane stuff, but I've never fantasised about being a rikishi, I'd never willingly subject myself to 15-20 years of living a feudal samurai lifestyle, and I refuse to believe that the experience does not colour their outlook in later life. 

It's a corporation of extraordinary people, IMO.

Maybe listening to too much Chris Gould has "coloured your outlook" on the people in sumo, I dunno.

[Tochinofuji 387]

3 hours ago, Asashosakari said:

Maybe listening to too much Chris Gould has "coloured your outlook" on the people in sumo, I dunno.

Glass half full: extraordinary. 

Glass half empty: abnormal. 

Poh-tay-toe, poh-tah-toe. 

[RabidJohn 1,855]

12 hours ago, Asashosakari said:

Maybe listening to too much Chris Gould has "coloured your outlook" on the people in sumo, I dunno.

Well if it has, it's because I disagree with most of his opinions.

What's "too much"?

I doubt I watch 1 in 10 of his videos, mainly because I disagree with most of his opinions.

[Asashosakari 19,648]

https://www.sanspo.com/article/20240301-XREJMGS4RBLHTCCXLFGJIQTZOY/

Following a joint practice session of the Tokitsukaze group at Michinoku-beya's Osaka training grounds today, Michinoku-oyakata officially confirmed that the heya will be closing after Haru basho. As surmised back in January, each member of the stable will be asked where they would like to transfer (within Tokitsukaze-ichimon only, of course).

Let the speculations recommence...

Besides Michinoku himself and the eight rikishi including ozeki Kirishima, the heya comprises Urakaze (ex-Shikishima, 53), re-employed Tatsutayama (ex-Sasshunada, 66), wakaimonogashira Fukunosato (62), first-class tokoyama Tokodai (53), and makushita yobidashi Shin (30).

Edited March 1, 2024 by Asashosakari

[Yarimotsu 590]

3 hours ago, Asashosakari said:

Let the speculations recommence...

Maybe too young to tell on Kirinohana, but from the looks of the heya I don't think it really interests me where anyone goes apart from the oyakata and Kirishima. Completely baseless but surely they either all go to Arashio (no idea what their capacity is like) or all go to Otowayama to help establish it. Seems like the strongest links lie in these directions but I might've missed others.

Isenoumi is experienced and not in need of oyakata. Oitekaze is experienced and surely at capacity for wrestlers or thereabouts but could be an interesting option for sekitori. Tokitsukaze is kind of the middle of all other options.

[Yubinhaad 11,761]

14 hours ago, Asashosakari said:

https://www.sanspo.com/article/20240301-XREJMGS4RBLHTCCXLFGJIQTZOY/

Following a joint practice session of the Tokitsukaze group at Michinoku-beya's Osaka training grounds today, Michinoku-oyakata officially confirmed that the heya will be closing after Haru basho. As surmised back in January, each member of the stable will be asked where they would like to transfer (within Tokitsukaze-ichimon only, of course).

Let the speculations recommence...

Besides Michinoku himself and the eight rikishi including ozeki Kirishima, the heya comprises Urakaze (ex-Shikishima, 53), re-employed Tatsutayama (ex-Sasshunada, 66), wakaimonogashira Fukunosato (62), first-class tokoyama Tokodai (53), and makushita yobidashi Shin (30).

Sanspo follows up by saying that Kirishima is likely to move to Otowayama-beya, adding that Michinoku will stay on as a consultant and is expected to make the same move.

[Kintamayama 45,509]

Kirishima to Otowayama beya. Official says so.

Edited March 2, 2024 by Kintamayama

[Yokozuna Hattorizakura 153]

The right decision, speaking as a fan. would've have been a shame to lose out on some exciting sanyaku match ups.

 

[Chartorenji 243]

18 hours ago, Kintamayama said:

Kirishima to Otowayama beya. Official says so.

It took less then one basho for Kakaryu to get an Ozeki! Is he the GOAT Oyakata?

[yohcun 401]

5 hours ago, Chartorenji said:

It took less then one basho for Kakaryu to get an Ozeki! Is he the GOAT Oyakata?

Greatest since Tagonoura at least.

[Akinomaki 40,761]

It has become known today that Kirishima and Michinoku as consultant will go to Otowayama-beya, the others of the 8 rikishi in the heya on the banzuke split between Arashio-beya and Isenoumi-beya (and maybe another of Tokitsukaze-ichimon) or retire - April 3rd is the date Michinoku stops to be shisho on  turning 65.  http://www.chunichi.co.jp/article/873313

[Asashosakari 19,648]

Via a fan tweet that was just pointed out on the Nattosumo Discord server: Yumitori-shiki Yuki is supposedly one who is retiring, but doing so to be appointed as sewanin.

I suppose that would explain why he suddenly re-appeared with the bow halfway through the basho, without (at the time) any apparent reason for Satonofuji to be replaced. Getting to say goodbye, of sorts.

Edited March 25, 2024 by Asashosakari

[Akinomaki 40,761]

On 24/03/2024 at 21:23, Akinomaki said:

It has become known today that Kirishima and Michinoku as consultant will go to Otowayama-beya, the others of the 8 rikishi in the heya on the banzuke split between Arashio-beya and Isenoumi-beya (and maybe another of Tokitsukaze-ichimon) or retire - April 3rd is the date Michinoku stops to be shisho on  turning 65.  http://www.chunichi.co.jp/article/873313

On 27/03/2024 at 03:29, Akinomaki said:

From also closing Michinoku after Yuki also Dainichido, Kirimaru and Chikureizan

Only 3 rikishi remain: sd Kamitani and jd Kirinohana go to Arashio with Urakaze-oyakata, jd Nikko to Isenoumi- and Tatsutayama-oyakata to Oitekaze-beya o  o

The 4 urakata go to Otowayama-beya with Kirishima and Michinoku o

Edited March 28, 2024 by Akinomaki

[Kamitsuumi 402]

6 hours ago, Akinomaki said:

The 4 urakata go to Otowayama-beya with Kirishima and Michinoku o

I counted and there were only 3 urakata, so someone miscounted somewhere... https://www.sumo.or.jp/ResultRikishiDataSumoBeya/detail/18/ https://www.michinokubeya.com/heya.html

[rokudenashi 324]

3 minutes ago, Kamitsuumi said:

I counted and there were only 3 urakata, so someone miscounted somewhere... https://www.sumo.or.jp/ResultRikishiDataSumoBeya/detail/18/ https://www.michinokubeya.com/heya.html

I guess that’s including recently retired Yūki.

[Akinomaki 40,761]

5 hours ago, rokudenashi said:

5 hours ago, Kamitsuumi said:

I counted and there were only 3 urakata, so someone miscounted somewhere... https://www.sumo.or.jp/ResultRikishiDataSumoBeya/detail/18/ https://www.michinokubeya.com/heya.html

I guess that’s including recently retired Yūki.

Confirmed, Sponichi list all members by name http://www.sponichi.co.jp/sports/news/2024/03/28/kiji/20240328s00005000649000c.html

[Asashosakari 19,648]

Information now also available in official form from the Kyokai. The moves will officially take place on April 2 and the heya's last day is thus presumably April 1. I guess that means Michinoku will be recorded as a member of Otowayama-beya for his last day as full-fledged oyakata, his birthday/retirement day being April 3.

Edited March 29, 2024 by Asashosakari

[Asashosakari 19,648]

Hmm, and ex-Kirishima's 65th birthday has come and gone without any official information about his next move...