Heya (sumo)

In sumo wrestling, a is an organization of sumo wrestlers where they train and live. It can also be termed ''sumo-beya''. All wrestlers in professional sumo must belong to one. There are currently 43 ''heya'' (as of 2022), each of which belongs to one of five ''ichimon'' (groupings of ''heya''). They vary in size, with the largest ''heya'' having over thirty wrestlers and smallest just one wrestler. Most ''heya'' are based in and around the Ryōgoku district of Tokyo, sumo's traditional heartland, although the high price of land has led to some newer ''heya'' being built in other parts of Tokyo or its suburbs.

Most ''heya'' have a network of scouts, who may be former wrestlers themselves, friends of the head coach, or supporters of the ''heya'', who keep a look out for any powerful or athletic young men and follow the results of local sumo (and judo) competitions. Most new recruits join at the age of 15 or 16, straight from junior high school.

A wrestler is expected to stay with the ''heya'' he joins until the end of his career. There is no transfer system in sumo. The only exceptions are if the coach who originally scouted him leaves to found a new ''heya'', in which case he might be permitted to follow him, or if a ''heya'' shuts down due to retirement or death of the stablemaster, mismanagement or financial reasons, the remaining wrestlers are often permitted to transfer to another ''heya'', usually within the same ''ichimon''. Just as with wrestlers, all ''tokoyama'' (hairdressers), ''gyōji'' (referees), and ''yobidashi'' (ushers) are attached to a specific ''heya'' where they normally begin and end their careers.

''Heya'' may only be set up by an ''oyakata'' or elder of the Japan Sumo Association. A ''heya'' is always named after the elder title owned by its head coach. An elder is obligated to retire and pass on ownership of a ''heya'' at age 65. When a new ''oyakata'' who has not inherited the retiree's elder name takes over a ''heya'', the name of the ''heya'' is generally changed to the new owner's elder name to reflect this. Further ''oyakata'' may be attached to the stable. In September 2006 the Sumo Association tightened the rules on opening up new stables. Now only ''oyakata'' who spent at least 25 tournaments ranked in ''san'yaku'' or 60 tournaments in the top ''makuuchi'' division may do so. The criteria for inheriting an existing ''heya'' are much less strict – the former Kanechika, for example was able to take over Miyagino stable despite having never fought in the top division at all, as only 12 ''makuuchi'' or 20 ''jūryō'' basho are needed.

A special rule dictates that wrestlers from the same ''heya'' never fight each other in a main tournament, except in playoffs for a ''yūshō'' or divisional championship. This notably worked to the advantages of brothers Takanohana and Wakanohana in recent years, as although they both achieved the top rank of ''yokozuna'', they never had to fight each other (excepting one playoff bout in 1995) as they both belonged to the Futagoyama stable.

The Japan Sumo Association helps existing heya by providing their stablemasters with at least ¥55,000 ($550) in training payments monthly for each wrestler in the stable that is not in the sekitori ranks. Extra payments are given every two months for high-ranked wrestlers. The financial help for having a ''yokozuna'' in its stable yield ¥300,000 ($3,000). In addition, stablemasters receive "support payments", "maintenance payments" and "training operations payments" based largely on the rank and number of the stable's wrestlers. Therefore, large stables receive around ¥100 million ($1 million) per year. This system provides incentives for elders to recruit and train winning wrestlers.

Most ''heya'' allow visitors to watch early morning training (''keiko'') free of charge, although rules vary from stable to stable as to the size of the group and whether advance notice or a Japanese speaker are required.

Pronunciation note

When coming second in a compound word, ''heya'' is pronounced ''beya'' due to a Japanese phonological tendency called ''rendaku'', e.g. the stable Kokonoe is called Kokonoe-''beya'' and a sumo stable is referred to as "sumo-beya".

See also

*List of sumo stables - a list of active ''heya''.
*List of sumo elders
*Japan Sumo Association
*''Toshiyori'' - sumo elder information

References

{{Reflist

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Japanese martial arts terminology
Sport in Japan
Sumo terminology

fr:Liste des termes japonais spécifiques à la lutte sumo#H