The (1974–2024) was a sumo stable of the Takasago group.
It was established in 1974 by former , who branched off from Izutsu stable, and closed in April 2024, at the time of the retirement of former Kirishima, who became the stable head coach in December 1997.
It absorbed Tatsutagawa stable in November 2000 upon the retirement of the stablemaster there. It lost four top members in April 2011 (Hakuba, Toyozakura, Jūmonji and Kirinowaka), who were forced to retire after being found guilty of match-fixing. The retirement of Ryūhō in 2012 left it with no until Mongolian Kiribayama reached the division in 2019. Kiribayama reached the top division in January 2020, the first for the stable since Hakuba in 2008. In May 2023 Michinoku's old (ring name) of Kirishima was adopted by Kiribayama following the latter's promotion to .
After the death of Izutsu in September 2019, all personnel from Izutsu stable moved to Michinoku on 1 October 2019. This expanded the stable to 15 wrestlers, the most senior of whom was Kakuryū, who retired in March 2021. As of January 2023, it had 12 wrestlers.
In May 2023, Michinoku stable was at the heart of a scandal linked to a case of violence that was made public. A senior wrestler, Kirinofuji, assaulted another young wrestler, Yasunishi, in January 2023 with a frying pan and whipped him with a jump rope. Michinoku stablemaster ( Kirishima) took the abusers side by directly allowing the aggressor to remain within his stable and allowing him to perform a hair cutting ceremony in April despite the information being relayed to the Compliance Department. However, since the Sumo Association was informed in January and the victim withdrew his complaint, Michinoku is not subject to any disciplinary action.
In December 2023 it was announced that Otowayama (the 71st Kakuryū), who had remained with Michinoku stable as a coach after his retirement, would break away to establish Otowayama stable.
In anticipation of the stablemaster's ( Kirishima) 65th birthday, it was announced that the stable would close after the March 2024 tournament, with its wrestlers to be distributed within the Tokitsukaze . At the March board meeting, it was made clear that the stable would close in April, with half the wrestler retiring. Among the other half, the stable leading wrestler, Kirishima, transferred to Otowayama stable. In the same report, it was also announced that one of the stable's coach, Urakaze, would be transferred with two other wrestlers to Arashio stable. The stable's other coach, Tatsutayama was announced as transferring to Oitekaze stable. Finally, one last wrestler is said to be transferred to Isenoumi stable.
Ring name conventions In the past wrestlers at this stable took ring names or that began with the character (read: ), meaning star, in deference to two of their former owners. Many also used (read: ), meaning fog or mist, after Kirishima I, such as Kiribayama, Kirinoryū and Kirinofuji.
Owners 1997–2024: 9th Michinoku Kazuhiro (, Kirishima I) 1991–1997: 8th Michinoku Yuji ( Hoshiiwato) 1974–1991: 7th Michinoku Yoshio ( )
Coaches Tatsutayama Hironori (, maegashira Sasshūnada) Urakaze Tomimichi (, maegashira Shikishima)
Notable former members Kakuryū (71st ) Kirishima () Ryūhō () Hoshitango ()
Usher Shin ( , real name Shinnosuke Yamaki)
Hairdresser Tokotsuru (special class ) Tokodai (first class )
Location and access Tokyo, Sumida Ward, Ryōgoku 1-18-7 1 minute walk from Ryōgoku Station on Sōbu Line
See also List of sumo stables List of sumo elders List of active sumo wrestlers List of past sumo wrestlers List of years in sumo Glossary of sumo terms
References
External links Japan Sumo Association profile Japan Sumo Association profile Official website Heya A-Z database