Minato stable
Minato stable (湊部屋 Minato-beya) is a stable of sumo wrestlers, part of the Tokitsukaze ichimon or group of stables. It was founded in 1982 by former komusubi Yutakayama, who branched off from Tokitsukaze stable. Minato Oyakata studied at the Tokyo University of Agriculture, and due to his interest in academia his stable was the first to introduce a library on its premises.[1] Until the arrival of Ichinojō, the stable had produced just one makuuchi division wrestler, Minatofuji, who reached a highest rank of maegashira 2 in 1995 and later became a coach at the stable under the name Tatsutagawa. In July 2010 Minato and Tatsutagawa swapped roles. In the same month the Chinese wrestler Nakanokuni earned promotion to the juryo division.
Ring name conventions
Many wrestlers at this stable take ring names or shikona that include the character 湊 (read: minato), which is the first character in the stable name, and which is also in deference to their coach and the stable's owner, the former Minatofuji.
Owners
- 2010-present: 23rd Minato (iin, former maegashira Minatofuji)
- 1982-2010: 22nd Minato (former komusubi Yutakayama)
Notable active wrestlers
Referees
- Kimura Motoki (makuuchi gyōji, real name Hiromichi Okamura)
Hairdresser
- Tokomori (2nd class tokoyama)
References
See also
- List of sumo stables
- List of active sumo wrestlers
- List of past sumo wrestlers
- Glossary of sumo terms
External links
- Official site (Japanese)
- Japan Sumo Association profile
Coordinates: 35°49′46″N 139°42′10″E / 35.8295°N 139.7029°E