List of sumo elders

This is a list of elders of the Japan Sumo Association (JSA). More accurately called "elder stock" or toshiyori kabu, these names are a finite number of licenses that can be passed on, and are strictly controlled by the JSA. They allow certain advantageous privileges and there are official criteria for whether or not a retiring wrestler can acquire one. In 1927, the number of licenses was set at 105. For more information see toshiyori.

This list is in approximate order of the current elders' rank in the organization. Members with borrowed kabu are always at the bottom of the hierarchy (aside from consultants) and are listed here with the name of the owner, if known. Elections to the Board of Directors are held every two years; the latest was in March 2024.

List of elders

List of sumo elders as of July 2025
Elder name Ring name Highest rank Stable Rank Date of birth Retirement
Name Position
Hakkaku Hokutoumi Nobuyoshi Yokozuna Hakkaku Master Chairman (1963-06-22) June 22, 1963 2028
Kasugano Tochinowaka Kiyotaka Sekiwake Kasugano Master Director (1962-05-22) May 22, 1962 2027
Sakaigawa Ryōgoku Kajinosuke IV Komusubi Sakaigawa Master Director (1962-07-30) July 30, 1962 2027
Dewanoumi Oginohana Akikazu Maegashira 2 Dewanoumi Master Director (1967-11-18) November 18, 1967 2032
Shibatayama Ōnokuni Yasushi Yokozuna Shibatayama Master Director (1962-10-09) October 9, 1962 2027
Isenoumi Kitakachidoki Hayato Maegashira 3 Isenoumi Master Director (1966-01-01) January 1, 1966 2031
Sadogatake Kotonowaka Terumasa Sekiwake Sadogatake Master Director (1968-05-15) May 15, 1968 2033
Katsunoura Kirinishiki Toshirō Maegashira 2 Isenoumi Coach Director (1962-08-31) August 31, 1962 2027
Takadagawa Akinoshima Katsumi Sekiwake Takadagawa Master Director (1967-03-16) March 16, 1967 2032
Asakayama Kaiō Hiroyuki Ōzeki Asakayama Master Director (1972-07-24) July 24, 1972 2037
Fujishima Musōyama Masashi Ōzeki Fujishima Master Deputy Director (1972-02-14) February 14, 1972 2037
Wakamatsu Asanowaka Takehiko Maegashira 1 Takasago Coach Deputy Director (1969-12-11) December 11, 1969 2034
Kumegawa Kotoinazuma Yoshihiro Komusubi Sadogatake Coach Deputy Director (1962-04-26) April 26, 1962 2027
Nishikido Mitoizumi Masayuki Sekiwake Nishikido Master Special Executive (1962-09-02) September 2, 1962 2027
Shiratama Kototsubaki Katsuyuki Maegashira 3 Sadogatake Coach Special Executive (1960-12-06) December 6, 1960 2025
Kokonoe Chiyotaikai Ryūji Ōzeki Kokonoe Master Special Executive (1976-04-29) April 29, 1976 2041
Nakadachi Oginishiki Yasutoshi Komusubi Dewanoumi Coach Special Executive (1971-07-08) July 8, 1971 2036
Kabutoyama Ōikari Tsuyoshi Maegashira 11 Isenoumi Coach Iin (1972-06-16) June 16, 1972 2037
Jinmaku Fujinoshin Tsukasa Maegashira 1 Hakkaku Coach Iin (1960-11-06) November 6, 1960 2025
Oitekaze Daishōyama Naoki Maegashira 2 Oitekaze Master Iin (1966-07-07) July 7, 1966 2031
Minato Minatofuji Takayuki Maegashira 2 Minato Master Iin (1968-07-06) July 6, 1968 2033
Kimura Sehei[a] Higonoumi Naoya Maegashira 1 Kise Master Iin (1969-09-23) September 23, 1969 2034
Kataonami Tamakasuga Ryōji Sekiwake Kataonami Master Iin (1972-01-07) January 7, 1972 2037
Inagawa Futen'ō Izumi Komusubi Kise Coach Iin (1980-08-28) August 28, 1980 2045
Shikimori Hidegorō[b] Kitazakura Hidetoshi Maegashira 9 Shikihide Master Iin (1971-12-15) December 15, 1971 2036
Asahiyama Kotonishiki Katsuhiro Sekiwake Asahiyama Master Iin (1968-06-08) June 8, 1968 2033
Nakagawa Asahisato Kenji Maegashira 14 Tokitsukaze Coach Iin (1965-11-09) November 9, 1965 2030
Tokiwayama Takamisugi Takakatsu Komusubi Tokiwayama Master Iin (1961-03-01) March 1, 1961 2026
Oshiogawa Takekaze Akira Sekiwake Oshiogawa Master Iin (1979-06-21) June 21, 1979 2044
Nakamura Yoshikaze Masatsugu Sekiwake Nakamura Master Iin (1982-03-19) March 19, 1982 2047
Arashio Sōkokurai Eikichi Maegashira 2 Arashio Master Iin (1984-01-09) January 9, 1984 2049
Yamahibiki Ganyū Kenji Maegashira 1 Yamahibiki Master Iin (1970-08-06) August 6, 1970 2035
Ōtake Dairyū Tadahiro Jūryō 4 Ōtake Master Iin (1960-09-30) September 30, 1960 2025
Yamawake Buyūzan Takeyoshi Maegashira 1 Fujishima Coach Iin (1974-07-29) July 29, 1974 2039
Musashigawa Musashimaru Kōyō Yokozuna Musashigawa Master Iin (1971-05-02) May 2, 1971 2036
Tagonoura Takanotsuru Shinichi Maegashira 8 Tagonoura Master Iin (1976-06-18) June 18, 1976 2041
Tamagaki Tomonohana Shinya Komusubi Ōshima Coach Iin (1964-06-23) June 23, 1964 2029
Ōnaruto Dejima Takeharu Ōzeki Fujishima Coach Iin (1974-03-21) March 21, 1974 2039
Tatekawa Tosanoumi Toshio Sekiwake Isenoumi Coach Iin (1972-02-16) February 16, 1972 2037
Urakaze Shikishima Katsumori Maegashira 1 Arashio Coach Iin (1970-12-15) December 15, 1970 2035
Futagoyama Miyabiyama Tetsushi Ōzeki Futagoyama Master Iin (1977-07-28) July 28, 1977 2042
Naruto Kotoōshū Katsunori Ōzeki Naruto Master Iin (1983-02-19) February 19, 1983 2048
Ikazuchi Kakizoe Tōru Komusubi Ikazuchi Master Iin (1978-08-12) August 12, 1978 2043
Azumazeki Takamisakari Seiken Komusubi Hakkaku Coach Iin (1976-05-12) May 12, 1976 2041
Hanaregoma Tamanoshima Arata Sekiwake Hanaregoma Master Iin (1977-09-15) September 15, 1977 2042
Ōshima Kyokutenhō Masaru Sekiwake Ōshima Master Iin (1974-09-13) September 13, 1974 2039
Tokitsukaze Tosayutaka Yūya Maegashira 1 Tokitsukaze Master Iin (1985-03-10) March 10, 1985 2050
Takasago Asasekiryū Tarō Sekiwake Takasago Master Iin (1981-08-07) August 7, 1981 2046
Nishonoseki Kisenosato Yutaka Yokozuna Nishonoseki Master Iin (1986-07-03) July 3, 1986 2051
Hidenoyama Kotoshōgiku Kazuhiro Ōzeki Sadogatake Coach Iin (1984-01-30) January 30, 1984 2049
Otowayama Kakuryū Rikisaburō Yokozuna Otowayama Master Iin (1985-08-10) August 10, 1985 2050
Ajigawa Aminishiki Ryūji Sekiwake Ajigawa Master Iin (1978-10-03) October 3, 1978 2043
Tateyama Homarefuji Yoshiyuki Maegashira 6 Isegahama Coach Iin (1985-05-06) May 6, 1985 2050
Kiyomigata Tochiōzan Yūichirō Sekiwake Kasugano Coach Iin (1987-03-09) March 9, 1987 2052
Fujigane Daizen Takahiro Komusubi Kasugano Coach Iin (1964-12-14) December 14, 1964 2029
Hatachiyama Tochinohana Hitoshi Komusubi Kasugano Coach Iin (1973-02-28) February 28, 1973 2038
Takasaki Kinkaiyama Ryū Maegashira 6 Dewanoumi Coach Iin (1976-01-07) January 7, 1976 2041
Ōnomatsu Daidō Kenji Maegashira 8 Ōnomatsu Master Iin (1982-08-21) August 21, 1982 2047
Wakafuji Ōtsukasa Nobuhide Maegashira 4 Kise Coach Iin (1971-02-18) February 18, 1971 2036
Takenawa Tochinonada Taiichi Sekiwake Kasugano Coach Iin (1974-02-26) February 26, 1974 2039
Kumagatani Tamaasuka Daisuke Maegashira 9 Kataonami Coach Iin (1983-01-26) January 26, 1983 2048
Chiganoura Satoyama Kōsaku Maegashira 12 Onoe Coach Iin (1981-05-31) May 31, 1981 2046
Mihogaseki Tochisakae Atsushi Maegashira 1 Kasugano Coach Iin (1974-06-27) June 27, 1974 2039
Shiranui Wakakōyū Masaya Komusubi Ōnomatsu Coach Iin (1984-02-24) February 24, 1984 2049
Onogawa Kitataiki Akeyoshi Maegashira 2 Yamahibiki Coach Iin (1982-10-05) October 5, 1982 2047
Tatsunami Asahiyutaka Katsuteru Komusubi Tatsunami Master Iin (1968-09-10) September 10, 1968 2033
Edagawa Aogiyama Hideki Maegashira 1 Tokitsukaze Coach Iin (1970-02-18) February 18, 1970 2035
Tamanoi Tochiazuma Daisuke Ōzeki Tamanoi Master Iin (1976-11-09) November 9, 1976 2041
Tanigawa Hokutōriki Hideki Sekiwake Kokonoe Coach Iin (1977-10-31) October 31, 1977 2042
Matsugane Tamarikido Hideki Maegashira 8 Hanaregoma Coach Iin (1974-04-19) April 19, 1974 2039
Onoe Hamanoshima Keishi Komusubi Onoe Master Iin (1970-03-21) March 21, 1970 2035
Shikoroyama Hōmashō Noriyuki Komusubi Shikoroyama Master Iin (1981-04-16) April 16, 1981 2046
Takekuma Gōeidō Gōtarō Ōzeki Takekuma Master Iin (1986-04-06) April 6, 1986 2051
Hamakaze Gojōrō Katsuhiro Maegashira 3 Sadogatake Coach Iin (1973-08-18) August 18, 1973 2038
Sekinoto Iwakiyama Ryūta Komusubi Sakaigawa Coach Iin (1976-03-02) March 2, 1976 2041
Matsuchiyama Bushūyama Takashi Maegashira 3 Fujishima Coach Iin (1976-05-21) May 21, 1976 2041
Nishiiwa Wakanosato Shinobu Sekiwake Nishiiwa Master Iin (1976-07-10) July 10, 1976 2041
Yamashina Toyohibiki Ryūta Maegashira 2 Sakaigawa Coach Shunin (1984-11-16) November 16, 1984 2049
Kasugayama Ikioi Shōta Sekiwake Isenoumi Coach Shunin (1986-10-11) October 11, 1986 2051
Tomozuna Kaisei Ichiro Sekiwake Asakayama Coach Shunin (1986-12-18) December 18, 1986 2051
Kimigahama Okinoumi Ayumi Sekiwake Hakkaku Coach Shunin (1985-07-29) July 29, 1985 2050
Minatogawa Takakeishō Takanobu Ōzeki Tokiwayama Coach Iin taigu toshiyori (1996-08-05) August 5, 1996 2061
Isegahama Terunofuji Haruo Yokozuna Isegahama Master Iin taigu toshiyori (1991-11-29) November 29, 1991 2056
Magaki Ishiura Shikanosuke Maegashira 5 Isegahama[c] Coach Toshiyori (1990-01-10) January 10, 1990 2055
Araiso Kotoyūki Kazuyoshi Sekiwake Sadogatake Coach Toshiyori (1991-04-02) April 2, 1991 2056
Sanoyama Chiyonokuni Toshiki Maegashira 1 Kokonoe Coach Toshiyori (1990-07-10) July 10, 1990 2055
Oguruma Kotoekō Mitsunori Maegashira 4 Sadogatake Coach Toshiyori (1991-11-20) November 20, 1991 2056
Furiwake Myōgiryū Yasunari Sekiwake Sakaigawa Coach Toshiyori (1986-10-22) October 22, 1986 2051
Iwatomo Aoiyama Kōsuke Sekiwake Kasugano Coach Toshiyori (1986-06-19) June 19, 1986 2051
Sendagawa Tokushōryū Makoto Maegashira 2 Kise Coach Toshiyori (1986-08-22) August 22, 1986 2051
Ōyama Hokutofuji Daiki Komusubi Hakkaku Coach Toshiyori (1992-07-15) July 15, 1992 2057
Tatsutagawa Hōchiyama Kōkan[d] Maegashira 14 Sakaigawa Coach Toshiyori (1982-01-18) January 18, 1982 2047
Dekiyama Shōtenrō Taishi[e] Maegashira 2 Fujishima Coach Toshiyori (1982-01-31) January 31, 1982 2047
Kitajin Tenkaihō Takayuki[f] Maegashira 8 Onoe Coach Toshiyori (1984-10-14) October 14, 1984 2049
Nishikijima Chiyoōtori Yūki[g] Komusubi Kokonoe Coach Toshiyori (1992-10-11) October 11, 1992 2057
Izutsu Akiseyama Mitsuhiko[h] Maegashira 12 Kise Coach Toshiyori (1985-07-18) July 18, 1985 2050
Minezaki Misugiiso Takuya Maegashira 2 Shibatayama Coach Consultant (1956-05-11) May 11, 1956 2021/2026*[i]
Tatsutayama Sasshūnada Yasutaka Maegashira 1 Oitekaze Coach Consultant (1957-06-07) June 7, 1957 2022/2027*[i]
Takashima Kōbōyama Daizō Sekiwake Oitekaze Coach Consultant (1957-08-15) August 15, 1957 2022/2027*[i]
Kagamiyama Tagaryū Shōji Sekiwake Isenoumi Coach Consultant (1958-02-15) February 15, 1958 2023/2028*[i]
Irumagawa Tochitsukasa Tetsuo Sekiwake Ikazuchi Coach Consultant (1958-04-25) April 25, 1958 2023/2028*[i]
Michinoku Kirishima Kazuhiro Ōzeki Otowayama Coach Consultant (1959-04-03) April 3, 1959 2024/2029*[i]
Hanakago Daijuyama Tadaaki Sekiwake Takadagawa Coach Consultant (1959-04-11) April 11, 1959 2024/2029*[i]
Miyagino Asahifuji Seiya Yokozuna Isegahama Coach Consultant (1960-07-06) July 6, 1960 2025/2030*[i]
Kiriyama vacant[j]

Explanation of ranks

The sumo elder hierarchy from the top rank down is as follows:

  • rijichō (理事長, Chairman)
  • riji (理事, Director)
  • fuku-riji (副理事, Deputy director)
  • yakuin taigū iin (役員待遇委員, Special executive)
  • iin (委員, Committee member)
  • shunin (主任, Senior member)
  • iin taigū toshiyori (委員待遇年寄, Elder receiving iin privileges)
  • toshiyori (年寄, Elder)
  • san'yo (参与, Consultant) (elders re-hired as consultant between 65 and 70 years old)

Elders who do not own but borrow their elder names are always toshiyori. They are not allowed to be stablemasters.

Hyōgi-in (評議員; lit.'Councilor') is not a rank, but a group of independent councillors who act as a kind of supervisory board for the directors. Initially there were three Internal Councillors (Ōtake, Futagoyama and Minatogawa) and four External Councillors (persons outside the sumo world). The Internal Councillors were ranked as iin prior to taking office and returned to that rank at the conclusion of their four-year term. In March 2018 they were replaced by three former wrestlers who are completely outside the Sumo Association: Fujinokawa, Washūyama and Asanosho.

See also

Notes

  1. ^ Commonly abbreviated to Kise
  2. ^ Commonly abbreviated to Shikihide
  3. ^ Transferred from Miyagino stable
  4. ^ Likely borrowed from the family of the late Terao Tsunefumi
  5. ^ Borrowed from retired Dewanohana Yoshitaka
  6. ^ Borrowed from active Endō Shōta
  7. ^ Borrowed from the family of the late Asashio Tarō IV
  8. ^ Borrowed from the family of the late Sakahoko Nobushige
  9. ^ a b c d e f g h Re-hired as consultant on reduced pay for five years after mandatory retirement
  10. ^ Name owned by retired Kurosegawa Kuniyuki

References