Tokitsukaze stable


The Tokitsukaze stable is a stable of sumo wrestlers in Japan, one of the Tokitsukaze group of stables. It was founded in 1769 and was dominant during the Taishō period.
In its modern form it dates from 1941 when it was established by Futabayama, who was still an active wrestler at the time. It was known as Futabayama Dojo until it was re-named Tokitsukaze stable in November 1945 when Futabayama retired. Upon Futabayama's death in 1968 the former Kagamisato took charge for a short time, but Futabayama's widow wanted Yutakayama Katsuo to take over, which he did upon his retirement in 1969. He in turn passed control of the stable on to his successor Futatsuryū in August 2002. As of January 2020 it had 16 active wrestlers, three of whom are sekitori.
The death of 17-year-old junior member Tokitaizan in a hazing scandal on June 26, 2007, eventually resulted in the dismissal and six years in prison for the head of the stable, Tokitsukaze. This compelled Tokitsuumi, a long time top division wrestler from the stable, to retire from active sumo and take over as the new head of the stable.

Ring name conventions

Many wrestlers at this stable have taken ring names or shikona that begin with the character 時, meaning time, which is the first character in the stable's name, such as Tokitsunada, Tokibayama and Tokitenku. However this has fallen out of favour in recent years with Tokisakae being the only active wrestler using this kanji as of 2019. A number of wrestlers have also included the character 豊 in their shikona in deference to the last ōzeki produced by the stable, Yutakayama Katsuo, and the successor to his shikona, Yutakayama Hiromitsu. Examples include Yutakafuji, Tosayutaka and the active wrestler Yutakayama Ryōta.

Owners

Tokyo, Sumida ward, Ryōgoku 3-15-4

3 minute walk from Ryōgoku Station on the Sōbu Line