Hidenoumi's topknot cut at Kokugikan; brother Tobizaru joins and Hoshoryu makes a surprise visit
Former maegashira Hidenoumi had his topknot cut by about 300 people at his Ryogoku Kokugikan retirement ceremony on 3 October. His brother Tobizaru took part.
Former top-division sumo wrestler Hidenoumi formally ended his career on Saturday at a retirement ceremony at the Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo. At the danpatsu-shiki on 3 October, about 300 guests each made a small cut to his topknot. His stablemaster, the former Higonoumi of Kise stable, made the final cut.
About 1,000 fans attended. The ceremony also included an exhibition bout with his younger brother Tobizaru and a surprise appearance from yokozuna Hoshoryu.
Who is Hidenoumi?
Hidenoumi, born Takuya Iwasaki in Edogawa, Tokyo, in 1989, joined professional sumo in May 2012 after wrestling at Nihon University. He reached the top makuuchi division in July 2015, won the second-tier juryo championship in January 2016, and reached his highest rank, maegashira 6, in May 2021.
He wrestled for 14 years and had his last bout in March 2026. He mostly won by pushing and forcing opponents out of the ring rather than by throws.
He and Tobizaru of Oitekaze stable are one of the better-known pairs of brothers in modern sumo. In March 2021 they were both ranked in the top division at the same time, only the ninth time brothers had done that.
What happens at a danpatsu-shiki
The topknot, or oichomage, is worn by sekitori-level wrestlers in the top two divisions, so cutting it marks the end of a wrestler's career. Family, mentors, supporters and guests each make a small cut. The stablemaster makes the last cut and removes the topknot.
The afternoon programme ran from 1pm to 4pm Tokyo time, which was noon to 3pm in Malaysia. It included a ring-entering ceremony with active wrestlers, exhibition bouts and a farewell speech.
Brothers in the ring one last time
The ring-entering ceremony included Tobizaru and several well-known wrestlers from Kise stable, among them Churanoumi, Ura, Kinbozan and Kazuma. Hidenoumi then had an exhibition bout against his brother.
Yokozuna Hoshoryu also attended without prior announcement, and the crowd applauded him. Reports say he did not speak to the press because he is still recovering from knee surgery.
There was also a light moment before Hidenoumi's speech. It was delayed because he had forgotten his shirt, and recently retired wrestler Shiden helped him sort it out.
What's next in sumo
The ceremony took place in the quiet weeks between tournaments. Onosato won the Aki Basho in Tokyo in September, and the last grand tournament of 2026 is the Kyushu Basho in Fukuoka in November.
Retirement ceremonies are held at the Kokugikan on dates when there is no tournament. Tickets for Hidenoumi's ceremony were also sold through an English-language booking site, which gave visitors from Southeast Asia another way to see sumo.
Key takeaways
- Hidenoumi's danpatsu-shiki was held at Ryogoku Kokugikan on 3 October 2026.
- About 300 guests cut his topknot, and his stablemaster, the former Higonoumi, made the final cut.
- His brother Tobizaru took part in the ring-entering ceremony and an exhibition bout.
- Yokozuna Hoshoryu made a surprise appearance while recovering from knee surgery.
- Hidenoumi's highest rank was maegashira 6, and he retired in March 2026 after 14 years.
FAQ
What is a danpatsu-shiki in sumo? It is a sumo wrestler's retirement ceremony. Guests each make a small cut to the wrestler's topknot, and the stablemaster removes it with the final cut.
Who is Hidenoumi's brother? His younger brother is Tobizaru of Oitekaze stable. In 2021 the two were ranked in the top makuuchi division at the same time.
When is the next grand sumo tournament? The next tournament is the Kyushu Basho in Fukuoka in November. It is the last of the six grand tournaments in 2026.
Sources: Furansumo, Discover Sumo, Combat Press, Wikipedia