Azumazeki stable

{{Short description|Stable of sumo wrestlers (1986–2021)}}

Image:Azumazeki stable 2014 1.JPG

Image:Azumazeki stable 2014 2.JPG

{{Nihongo|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.{{cite web|url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2021/03/17/sumo/azumazeki-stable-legacy/|title=Fall of Azumazeki stable represents tragic loss for professional sumo|last=Gunning|first=John|date=17 March 2021|work=Japan Times|accessdate=18 March 2021}} Azumazeki's first sekitori was Akebono, also from Hawaii, in 1990, who subsequently reached the yokozuna rank. 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.{{cite web|url=http://www.at-s.com/sports/article/shizuoka/sumo/459397.html|script-title=ja:東関部屋が移転　両国国技館で祝賀会　大相撲|date=19 February 2018|publisher=At Shizuoka|language=Japanese|accessdate=20 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180220212408/http://www.at-s.com/sports/article/shizuoka/sumo/459397.html|archive-date=20 February 2018|url-status=dead}} The move was encouraged by the Katsushika ward, to help increase tourism.{{cite web|url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2019/01/16/sumo/sumo-101-stable-locations-layout/|title=Sumo 101: Stable locations and layout|last=Gunning|first=John|date=16 January 2019|publisher=Japan Times|accessdate=18 January 2019}}

Azumazeki-oyakata died in December 2019 at the age of 41,{{cite web|url=https://hochi.news/articles/20191216-OHT1T50308.html|title=元幕内・潮丸の東関親方を高砂一門葬|date=17 December 2019|work=Hochi|language=Japanese|accessdate=18 December 2019}} 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,{{cite web|url=https://www.nikkansports.com/battle/sumo/news/202103080000577.html|title=東関部屋が春場所を最後に閉鎖か、継承者選びが難航|date=9 March 2021|work=Nikkan Sports|language=Japanese|accessdate=9 March 2021}} 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.{{cite web|url=https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2021/03/65afd1f3b399-sumo-1st-stable-run-by-foreign-born-elder-to-shut-its-doors.html|title=Sumo: 1st stable run by foreign-born elder to shut its doors|date=12 March 2021|work=Kyodo News|accessdate=12 March 2021}}

The stable's last premises were later taken over by Futagoyama stable. The original building used prior to 2018 still exists and was used for Kaonishiki's retirement ceremony in May 2021; from 2022 to 2024 it was home to the Miyagino stable.