The Sumida premises in 2014The Sumida premises in 2014
Azumazeki stable (東関部屋, Azumazeki-beya) was a stable of sumo wrestlers, part of the Takasago group of stables. It was founded in February 1986 by the Hawaiian born Takamiyama of the Takasago stable in Higashi–Komagata, Sumida, Tokyo. It was the first stable ever to be run by a foreign-born coach.[1] Azumazeki's first sekitori was Akebono, also from Hawaii, in 1990, who subsequently reached the yokozuna rank.[1] A total of nine foreign born wrestlers have fought for the stable: seven from the United States, one from Great Britain and one (Kosei) from China who retired in January 2017. The stable's first Japanese sekitori was Takamisakari. As of January 2021 it had seven wrestlers.
The former Takamiyama reached the mandatory retirement age of 65 in June 2009 and was succeeded by Ushiomaru who announced his retirement from active competition after the May tournament. In 2012 it absorbed Nakamura stable when Takamiyama's former stablemate Fujizakura retired as a coach upon turning 65.
In February 2018 the stable moved from Sumida to larger premises in Shibamata District, Katsushika. The opening was celebrated at the Ryōgoku Kokugikan with around 500 guests from the sumo world.[2] The move was encouraged by the Katsushika ward, to help increase tourism.[3]
Azumazeki-oyakata died in December 2019 at the age of 41,[4] and after the January 2020 tournament the former Takamisakari took over as Azumazeki-oyakata. However, this was on a provisional basis for one year only,[5] and the Sumo Association announced the closure of the stable on April 1, 2021 due to no permanent successor to Ushiomaru being found, with the personnel moving to Hakkaku stable.[6]
The stable's premises were briefly used by Futagoyama stable. The original building used prior to 2018 still exists and was used for Kaonishiki's retirement ceremony in May 2021. Since 2022, the old Sumida building is home to the Miyagino stable.
^ abGunning, John (17 March 2021). "Fall of Azumazeki stable represents tragic loss for professional sumo". Japan Times. Retrieved 18 March 2021.
^東関部屋が移転 両国国技館で祝賀会 大相撲 (in Japanese). At Shizuoka. 19 February 2018. Archived from the original on 20 February 2018. Retrieved 20 February 2018.
^Gunning, John (16 January 2019). "Sumo 101: Stable locations and layout". Japan Times. Retrieved 18 January 2019.
^"元幕内・潮丸の東関親方を高砂一門葬". Hochi (in Japanese). 17 December 2019. Retrieved 18 December 2019.
^"東関部屋が春場所を最後に閉鎖か、継承者選びが難航". Nikkan Sports (in Japanese). 9 March 2021. Retrieved 9 March 2021.
^"Sumo: 1st stable run by foreign-born elder to shut its doors". Kyodo News. 12 March 2021. Retrieved 12 March 2021.
Azumazekistable (東関部屋, Azumazeki-beya) was a stable of sumo wrestlers, part of the Takasago group of stables. It was founded in February 1986 by the...
past seven years and started to use the building of the former Azumazekistable. The stable has strong links to Tottori Jōhoku High School's sumo program...
yokozuna Akebono Tarō, also from Hawaii, joined Azumazekistable. As the highest ranking wrestler in the stable, he was a mentor to Akebono and gave him advice...
wrestled for Nakamura stable until it closed down in December 2012, then transferring and finishing his career at Azumazekistable. He retired in January...
retired in May 2009 to take over the Azumazekistable. Ushiomaru made his debut in March 1994, joining Azumazekistable. He began using the fighting name...
become a coach at Azumazekistable, having taken the toshiyori-kabu Furiwake-oyakata. In January 2020 he became head coach of Azumazekistable, following the...
Oshiogawa stable and Nishonoseki stable Kagamiyama stable closes July 2021, all wrestlers and personnel move to Isenoumi stableAzumazekistable closes April...
available, the stable closed in December 2012 with five of its remaining wrestlers, including former jūryō Hishofuji, transferring to Azumazekistable, and the...
2005) was a sumo wrestler from Hawaii, United States. His sumo stable was Azumazeki. His height was 192 cm (6 ft 3 and a half in) and his peak weight...
sumo tournament top-division champions List of sumo tournament second-division champions List of sumo stables List of yokozuna Glossary of sumo terms...
performances was Takamisato of the Azumazekistable. Usually both wrestlers in shokkiri are from the same stable, but Azumazeki had no-one small enough to provide...
March 1986. He reached a highest rank of Makushita 37. He trained at Azumazekistable and was known under three different shikona: Takamisho, Seiunryu, and...
Yamahibiki stable and one coach from Onoe stable testing positive for COVID-19. 12: The Sumo Association announces that Azumazekistable, the first stable to...
announced as the new head coach of Azumazekistable. Its future had been in doubt following the death of the previous Azumazeki Oyakata, ex-Ushiomaru, last December...
Hoare of the British Sumo Association, he went to Japan and joined the Azumazekistable run by former sekiwake Takamiyama, who had already taken on a number...
Sadogatake, Oguruma, Isegahama, Nishikido and Irumagawa stables. 16: The head of the Azumazekistable, former sekiwake Takamiyama, reaches the mandatory retirement...
sumo as a coach at his Azumazekistable under the name "Furiwake". 28: The Japan Sumo Association announces the Nishonoseki stable's closure. Coaches Kitajin...
wrestlers List of sumo elders List of sumo record holders List of sumo stables Sumo.sports.smt.docomo.ne.jp Web-japan.org Sumo.or.jp Chiebukuro.yahoo...
the first major changes for 40 years. He moved to the now defunct Azumazekistable in December 2011. He reached the retirement age for elders of 65 in...
was transferred to Takasago stable in May 1919 when his stablemaster Tachiyama (by then going by the elder name Azumazeki) abruptly quit the sumo world...
constant pain in both his knees. He will stay in sumo as a coach at his Azumazekistable, under the elder name Akebono Oyakata. 29: The Japan Sumo Association...
competition he was briefly an elder of the Sumo Association under the name Azumazeki, but left the sumo world in May 1919. In 1937 he became the first yokozuna...
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