Uniqlo- official sponsor of the Kyokai

[Kintamayama 45,013]

Uniqlo announced today that it has signed an official sponsorship contract with the Kyokai. The agreement was made as part of the Kyokai's commemorative projects to mark the 100th anniversary of its founding as an incorporated foundation this December, and will see the company provide official jackets (not for sale) to be worn by sumo wrestlers and staff. The company also announced that its graphic T-shirt brand "UT" will be releasing its first collaboration with the Kyokai this spring. Details of the UT products will be released on the company's official website at a later date. A project team was formed within the company to develop the official jacket, which was made exclusively for this occasion. The company observed sumo wrestlers and staff at work, and placed importance on the tradition and formality of sumo, while also pursuing design and practicality.

[Octofuji 352]

8 hours ago, Kintamayama said:

will see the company provide official jackets (not for sale) to be worn by sumo wrestlers...

The company placed importance on the tradition and formality of sumo...

A tradition which doesn't allow sumo wrestlers to wear jackets/t-shirts in public. Maybe these are for informal use then, at least for the wrestlers.

Although with all the YouTube channels, inside the heya has arguably become just as public as outside.

[Yamanashi 3,825]

1 hour ago, Octofuji said:

Although with all the YouTube channels, inside the heya has arguably become just as public as outside.

Considering what I see the rikishi wearing inside the heya, I'm not sure the general public would be caught dead wearing it inside their houses.

[Kintamayama 45,013]

2 hours ago, Octofuji said:

A tradition which doesn't allow sumo wrestlers to wear jackets/t-shirts in public. Maybe these are for informal use then, at least for the wrestlers.

Although with all the YouTube channels, inside the heya has arguably become just as public as outside.

I think this is mainly targeted for the elders doing their various duties..

[Akinomaki 40,281]

Looks not much different from the style they have now

o

 

[Kaninoyama 1,741]

In any case, an odd partnership of ever there was one. 

[Akinomaki 40,281]

I don't think it's odd, the modern version of those who provide traditional wear

On 09/09/2022 at 17:10, Akinomaki said:

This is growing quite a bit, so I give it its own thread, I just noticed the list on the NSK site https://sumo.or.jp/Admission/partners

The NSK now has 4 official top partners, 3 official partners and 4 official sponsors 

the other 3 top partners are

2 with a long sumo tradition are Kibun and Natori

many may have noticed the names on the yobidashi costumes

紀文 Kibun kibun.co.jp/en/sumo kibun.co.jp/corporate/sumo

Natori https://www.natori.co.jp/media/category01/a8

plus

Kowa co., ltd https://www.kowa.co.jp/eng/index.html

 

The other 2 official partners after N-Nose are

Pieras co., ltd, partner since March 3rd https://pieras.co.jp/日本最大級の美容師求人情報サイト「e-quest-qj-navi」でプ-3-2/

kensho for Natsu and Nagoya

https://pieras.co.jp/大相撲五月場所で懸賞幕を懸けました/

https://pieras.co.jp/大相撲七月場所に懸賞を懸けました/

Yamazaki Bakery (the one with the sandwiches)

 

Sponsors

Welcia Group (pharmacy) https://www.welcia-yakkyoku.co.jp/

Otsuka-Shokai https://www.otsuka-shokai.co.jp/

their shop near the kokugikan has a real dohyo

Hakata salt  https://www.hakatanoshio.co.jp/ - they deliver the salt for the 2 Tokyo basho and are regular kensho sponsors forums/search/?&q=Hakata salt

Yamaki https://www.yamaki.co.jp/

Uniqlo is not official partner, just the low category of official sponsor - Heinz is quite more odd as partner

On 09/09/2024 at 12:22, Akinomaki said:

The NSK has added a new category, on top: yobidashi partners with 7 so far. The first 3 are really those providing the attire for the yobidashi, who walk around with company names also when they don't carry kensho banners, including Nagatanien. Kibun changed from top partner to yobidashi partner, Natori is still that as well.

Down to 3 top partners now and 6 from 8 official sponsors, Moderna dropped out. Heinz is new as official partner (with kensho), still 6 Sustainability Partners

https://sumo.or.jp/Admission/partners

Now 9 official sponsors and 7 sustainability partners

[Yamanashi 3,825]

10 hours ago, Kintamayama said:

I think this is mainly targeted for the elders doing their various duties..

My guess (2 yen): ~50-100 for oyakata would be great ad space for the price.  OTOH ~600 for rikishi would be a waste of ad money, and UNIQLO never wastes ad money.

[dingo 1,258]

I think it's good that the Kyokai managed to get such a high profile partner, maybe it'll be good for spreading awareness of sumo as well,especially with the UT T-shirt line where Uniqlo has used traditional and modern Japanese designs before. 

Now for the most important question -- when can I pick up a Uniqlo mawashi in my local Uniqlo store? 

[Kaninoyama 1,741]

20 hours ago, Akinomaki said:

I don't think it's odd,

It's odd (in an amusing sort of way) in the sense that a clothing brand has partnered with the sport most known for competing practically naked. 

[Akinomaki 40,281]

1 hour ago, Kaninoyama said:

It's odd (in an amusing sort of way) in the sense that a clothing brand has partnered with the sport most known for competing practically naked. 

Yeah, for those who think sumo = fat men in diapers, it's definitely odd - I tend to forget that that is the majority

[Akinomaki 40,281]

Fans now ask Uniqlo for all kinds of sumo goods the-ans.jp/news/495197/, also like this

22 hours ago, dingo said:

Now for the most important question -- when can I pick up a Uniqlo mawashi in my local Uniqlo store? 

likely it will only be this though

On 06/01/2025 at 09:27, Kintamayama said:

The company also announced that its graphic T-shirt brand "UT" will be releasing its first collaboration with the Kyokai this spring.

https://www.uniqlo.com/jp/ja/special-feature/ut

The jackets now to be provided by Uniclo have the official "100 years of NSK" logo at the neck

o

On 26/09/2024 at 20:56, Akinomaki said:

The logo to commemorate 100 years since the (then Dai-)NSK became a juridical foundation next year was published today, it was on Dec. 29th 1925. 1958 the name was changed to NSK, Nihon Sumo Kyokai, and since 2014 they are a foundation for public benefit. o

 

Edited January 8 by Akinomaki

[dingo 1,258]

Some of the fan ideas are pretty good, like T shirts with rikishi pictures or a tote bag with kimarite on it. Maybe they can even licence Mr Dohyo from Kintamayama 

I wouldn't buy a fundoshi though... 

[Akinomaki 40,281]

Nishiiwa was the first to appear in the new jacket - at the intai press conference of Kyokutaisei - next basho all oyakata, sewanin and wakaimonogashira will wear this

o o

[I am the Yokozuna 192]

It is baffling or rather befitting that a brand known for use of prison slave labor in Xinjiang, toxic working environment at Japan offices, poor quality and cheap valued products, partners with the Sumo Association. On one hand we have this lower valued items and then on the other we have rikishis wearing tailored mader suits after retirement costing 1 mln JPY  at least. Some balance would have been better. 

[Akinomaki 40,281]

On 08/01/2025 at 22:28, Akinomaki said:

Nishiiwa was the first to appear in the new jacket - at the intai press conference of Kyokutaisei - next basho all oyakata, sewanin and wakaimonogashira will wear this

Nishiiwa 4L

o

NikkanSp premium posted the Hatsu basho oyakata fashion show with the new jacket - available in size S to 8L

o oo o

the old style  - both 4L, Hakuho (145kg) down from 5L, Kakuryu (138kg) lost about 20kg after retirement

o

Takasaki (5L) with NikkanSp writer Ichiro Sasaki in the old style one - size M

oo 

The last change was 40 years ago, at the switch to the Ryogoku kokugikan from the Kuramae kokugikan. When Takamiyama (7L) retired, the jacket was dark red - only b/w pic from Aki 1984 

o

formerly provided by Takashimaya, who also provide akeni and kesho mawashi - worn out

Takasaki with the director of Fast Retailing, the company behind Uniqlo

o

Ishiura/Magaki LL - down to 91kg

o

3L Oguruma & Sanoyama (down from an already too big 4L last basho)

o o

4L Nakamura

o

5L Araiso - the kyokai jumper (official name: official jacket) has a very stretchable material

o

6&5L new Iwatomo and Furiwake

o

6L: Sendagawa, Kasugayama, though down from Ikoi 178kg to just below 150kg, Onomatsu has 170kg

oo o

7L for Tomozuna, 190kg

o  
 

it is  also possible to wear it like this - but not allowed while on duty - Kiyomigata down to size 3L from 5L after intai

o

Edited Saturday at 08:09 by Akinomaki

[I am the Yokozuna 192]

Do not care much about the jackets, but thanks for posting how some of the rikishis from the recent past look like right now.  

[Jakusotsu 5,913]

1 hour ago, Akinomaki said:

Takasaki (5L) with NikkanSp writer Ichiro Sasaki in the old style one - size M

oo 

Thanks. Now I finally know who the guy from the abema broadcast is.

[Seiyashi 4,074]

2 hours ago, Akinomaki said:

lso possible to wear it like this -

Meaning the rolled up sleeves? 

[Akinomaki 40,281]

27 minutes ago, Seiyashi said:

Meaning the rolled up sleeves? 

yes

[Yamanashi 3,825]

The color makes a big difference -- the blue makes me think of a mailman or construction manager (though it may be different for other countries).

[Yubinhaad 11,631]

11 hours ago, Akinomaki said:

it is  also possible to wear it like this - but not allowed while on duty

 

8 hours ago, Akinomaki said:

8 hours ago, Seiyashi said:

Meaning the rolled up sleeves? 

yes

Sounds like a rule on paper only, not enforced. Iyozakura often has his cuffs turned up. (And in any case, if you're not on duty, no need to wear the jacket anyway)

[Akinomaki 40,281]

10 hours ago, Yubinhaad said:

Sounds like a rule on paper only, not enforced. Iyozakura often has his cuffs turned up. (And in any case, if you're not on duty, no need to wear the jacket anyway)

You are right, I only thought of the hanamichi guard duty for Tochiozan, but there are plenty of other duties where the "officials" are not in touch with the public

[Tsuchinoninjin 1,266]

It’s the wrong time of year, but I wonder if they can take advantage of coolbiz or not.