Heya

:"See list of sumo beya for a list of sumo beya (sumo training stables)".In sumo wrestling, a "heya" (部屋) (Japanese for "room"), usually translated into English as "stable", is an organization of sumo wrestlers where they train and live. All wrestlers in professional sumo must belong to one. There are currently 53 "heya" (as of October 2007), all but one of which belong to one of five "ichimon" (groupings of heya). They vary in size, with the largest "heya" having over thirty wrestlers and smallest just three. Most "heya" are based in and around the Ryogoku district of Tokyo, sumo's traditional heartland, although the exorbitant 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 exception is if the coach who originally scouted him leaves to found a new "heya", in which case he might be permitted to follow him.

"Heya" may only be set up by an "oyakata" or elder of the Japan Sumo Association. A "heya" is always named after its founding "oyakata". 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 "sanyaku" 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 "juryo" 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 (one playoff bout in 1995 excepted) as they both belonged to Futagoyama-beya.

Also attached to a "heya" are "tokoyama" (hairdressers), "gyōji" (referees), and "yobidashi" (ushers).

When used as a suffix, "heya" is usually pronounced "beya" due to "rendaku", e.g. the stable called "Kokonoe" is called "Kokonoe-beya".

External links

*Heya list at Japan Sumo Association site [http://sumo.goo.ne.jp/eng/ozumo_meikan/sumo_beya/index.html (English)] [http://sumo.goo.ne.jp/ozumo_meikan/sumo_beya/index.html (Japanese)]