List of sumo elders
This is a list of elders of the Japan Sumo Association (JSA). More accurately called "elder stock" or toshiyori kabu, these names are a finite number of licenses that can be passed on, and are strictly controlled by the JSA. They allow certain advantageous privileges and there are official criteria for whether or not a retiring wrestler can acquire one. In 1927, the number of licenses was set at 105. For more information see toshiyori.
This list is in approximate order of the current elders' rank in the organization. Members with borrowed kabu are always at the bottom of the hierarchy (aside from consultants) and are listed here with the name of the owner, if known. Elections to the Board of Directors are held every two years; the latest was in March 2022.
List of elders
| Elder name | Ring name | Highest rank | Stable | Stablemaster? | Position/Rank | Date of birth | Mandatory retirement date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hakkaku | Hokutoumi Nobuyoshi | Yokozuna | Hakkaku | Yes | Chairman | June 22, 1963 | 2028 |
| Shibatayama | Ōnokuni Yasushi | Yokozuna | Shibatayama | Yes | Director | October 9, 1962 | 2027 |
| Sakaigawa | Ryōgoku Kajinosuke IV | Komusubi | Sakaigawa | Yes | Director | July 30, 1962 | 2027 |
| Kasugano | Tochinowaka Kiyotaka | Sekiwake | Kasugano | Yes | Director | May 22, 1962 | 2027 |
| Dewanoumi | Oginohana Akikazu | Maegashira 2 | Dewanoumi | Yes | Director | November 18, 1967 | 2032 |
| Michinoku | Kirishima Kazuhiro | Ōzeki | Michinoku | Yes | Director | April 3, 1959 | 2024 |
| Hanakago | Daijuyama Tadaaki | Sekiwake | Takadagawa | No | Director | April 11, 1959 | 2024 |
| Isenoumi | Kitakachidoki Hayato | Maegashira 3 | Isenoumi | Yes | Director | January 1, 1966 | 2031 |
| Sadogatake | Kotonowaka Terumasa | Sekiwake | Sadogatake | Yes | Director | May 15, 1968 | 2033 |
| Fujishima | Musōyama Masashi | Ōzeki | Fujishima | Yes | Deputy Director | February 14, 1972 | 2037 |
| Wakamatsu | Asanowaka Takehiko | Maegashira 1 | Takasago | No | Deputy Director | December 11, 1969 | 2034 |
| Kumegawa | Kotoinazuma Yoshihiro | Komusubi | Sadogatake | No | Deputy Director | April 26, 1962 | 2027 |
| Isegahama | Asahifuji Seiya | Yokozuna | Isegahama | Yes | Special Executive | July 6, 1960 | 2025 |
| Nishikido | Mitoizumi Masayuki | Sekiwake | Nishikido | Yes | Special Executive | September 2, 1962 | 2027 |
| Katsunoura | Kirinishiki Toshirō | Maegashira 2 | Isenoumi | No | Special Executive | August 31, 1962 | 2027 |
| Shiratama | Kototsubaki Katsuyuki | Maegashira 3 | Sadogatake | No | Special Executive | December 6, 1960 | 2025 |
| Kokonoe | Chiyotaikai Ryūji | Ōzeki | Kokonoe | Yes | Special Executive | April 29, 1976 | 2041 |
| Asakayama | Kaiō Hiroyuki | Ōzeki | Asakayama | Yes | Special Executive | July 24, 1972 | 2037 |
| Nakadachi | Oginishiki Yasutoshi | Komusubi | Dewanoumi | No | Iin | July 8, 1971 | 2036 |
| Kabutoyama | Ōikari Tsuyoshi | Maegashira 11 | Isenoumi | No | Iin | June 16, 1972 | 2037 |
| Jinmaku | Fujinoshin Tsukasa | Maegashira 1 | Hakkaku | No | Iin | November 6, 1960 | 2025 |
| Oitekaze | Daishōyama Naoki | Maegashira 2 | Oitekaze | Yes | Iin | July 7, 1966 | 2031 |
| Minato | Minatofuji Takayuki | Maegashira 2 | Minato | Yes | Iin | July 6, 1968 | 2033 |
| Takadagawa | Akinoshima Katsumi | Sekiwake | Takadagawa | Yes | Iin | March 16, 1967 | 2032 |
| Kise | Higonoumi Naoya | Maegashira 1 | Kise | Yes | Iin | September 23, 1969 | 2034 |
| Wakafuji | Ōtsukasa Nobuhide | Maegashira 4 | Kise | No | Iin | February 18, 1971 | 2036 |
| Inagawa | Futen'ō Izumi | Komusubi | Kise | No | Iin | August 28, 1980 | 2045 |
| Shikihide | Kitazakura Hidetoshi | Maegashira 9 | Shikihide | Yes | Iin | December 15, 1971 | 2036 |
| Onoe | Hamanoshima Keishi | Komusubi | Onoe | Yes | Iin | March 21, 1970 | 2035 |
| Yamahibiki | Ganyū Kenji | Maegashira 1 | Yamahibiki | Yes | Iin | August 6, 1970 | 2035 |
| Ōtake | Dairyū Tadahiro | Jūryō 4 | Ōtake | Yes | Iin | September 30, 1960 | 2025 |
| Yamawake | Buyūzan Takeyoshi | Maegashira 1 | Fujishima | No | Iin | July 29, 1974 | 2039 |
| Musashigawa | Musashimaru Kōyō | Yokozuna | Musashigawa | Yes | Iin | May 2, 1971 | 2036 |
| Tagonoura | Takanotsuru Shinichi | Maegashira 8 | Tagonoura | Yes | Iin | June 18, 1976 | 2041 |
| Tamagaki | Tomonohana Shinya | Komusubi | Ōshima | No | Iin | June 23, 1964 | 2029 |
| Ōnaruto | Dejima Takeharu | Ōzeki | Fujishima | No | Iin | March 21, 1974 | 2039 |
| Kataonami | Tamakasuga Ryōji | Sekiwake | Kataonami | Yes | Iin | January 7, 1972 | 2037 |
| Tatekawa | Tosanoumi Toshio | Sekiwake | Isenoumi | No | Iin | February 16, 1972 | 2037 |
| Urakaze | Shikishima Katsumori | Maegashira 1 | Michinoku | No | Iin | December 15, 1970 | 2035 |
| Takenawa | Tochinonada Taiichi | Sekiwake | Kasugano | No | Iin | February 26, 1974 | 2039 |
| Futagoyama | Miyabiyama Tetsushi | Ōzeki | Futagoyama | Yes | Iin | July 28, 1977 | 2042 |
| Asahiyama | Kotonishiki Katsuhiro | Sekiwake | Asahiyama | Yes | Iin | June 8, 1968 | 2033 |
| Naruto | Kotoōshū Katsunori | Ōzeki | Naruto | Yes | Iin | February 19, 1983 | 2048 |
| Ikazuchi | Kakizoe Tōru | Komusubi | Ikazuchi | Yes | Iin | August 12, 1978 | 2043 |
| Azumazeki | Takamisakari Seiken | Komusubi | Hakkaku | No | Iin | May 12, 1976 | 2041 |
| Hanaregoma | Tamanoshima Arata | Sekiwake | Hanaregoma | Yes | Iin | September 15, 1977 | 2042 |
| Ōshima | Kyokutenhō Masaru | Sekiwake | Ōshima | Yes | Iin | September 13, 1974 | 2039 |
| Tokitsukaze | Tosayutaka Yūya | Maegashira 1 | Tokitsukaze | Yes | Iin | March 10, 1985 | 2050 |
| Takasago | Asasekiryū Tarō | Sekiwake | Takasago | Yes | Iin | August 7, 1981 | 2046 |
| Nishonoseki | Kisenosato Yutaka | Yokozuna | Nishonoseki | Yes | Iin | July 3, 1986 | 2051 |
| Fujigane | Daizen Takahiro | Komusubi | Kasugano | No | Iin | December 14, 1964 | 2029 |
| Hatachiyama | Tochinohana Hitoshi | Komusubi | Kasugano | No | Iin | February 28, 1973 | 2038 |
| Takasaki | Kinkaiyama Ryū | Maegashira 6 | Dewanoumi | No | Iin | January 7, 1976 | 2041 |
| Ōnomatsu | Daidō Kenji | Maegashira 8 | Ōnomatsu | Yes | Iin | August 21, 1982 | 2047 |
| Iwatomo | Kimurayama Mamoru | Maegashira 7 | Kasugano | No | Iin | July 13, 1981 | 2046 |
| Kumagatani | Tamaasuka Daisuke | Maegashira 9 | Kataonami | No | Iin | January 26, 1983 | 2048 |
| Mihogaseki | Tochisakae Atsushi | Maegashira 1 | Kasugano | No | Iin | June 27, 1974 | 2039 |
| Shiranui | Wakakōyū Masaya | Komusubi | Ōnomatsu | No | Iin | February 24, 1984 | 2049 |
| Onogawa | Kitataiki Akeyoshi | Maegashira 2 | Yamahibiki | No | Iin | October 5, 1982 | 2047 |
| Tatsunami | Asahiyutaka Katsuteru | Komusubi | Tatsunami | Yes | Iin | September 10, 1968 | 2033 |
| Edagawa | Aogiyama Hideki | Maegashira 1 | Tokitsukaze | No | Iin | February 18, 1970 | 2035 |
| Tamanoi | Tochiazuma Daisuke | Ōzeki | Tamanoi | Yes | Iin | November 9, 1976 | 2041 |
| Tanigawa | Hokutōriki Hideki | Sekiwake | Kokonoe | No | Iin | October 31, 1977 | 2042 |
| Matsugane | Tamarikido Hideki | Maegashira 8 | Hanaregoma | No | Iin | April 19, 1974 | 2039 |
| Tatsutagawa | Hōmashō Noriyuki | Komusubi | Shikoroyama | Yes (acting) | Iin | April 16, 1981 | 2046 |
| Hamakaze | Gojōrō Katsuhiro | Maegashira 3 | Sadogatake | No | Iin | August 18, 1973 | 2038 |
| Sekinoto | Iwakiyama Ryūta | Komusubi | Sakaigawa | No | Iin | March 2, 1976 | 2041 |
| Nishiiwa | Wakanosato Shinobu | Sekiwake | Nishiiwa | Yes | Iin | July 10, 1976 | 2041 |
| Oshiogawa | Takekaze Akira | Sekiwake | Oshiogawa | Yes | Iin | June 21, 1979 | 2044 |
| Takekuma | Gōeidō Gōtarō | Ōzeki | Takekuma | Yes | Iin | April 6, 1986 | 2051 |
| Hidenoyama | Kotoshōgiku Kazuhiro | Ōzeki | Sadogatake | No | Iin | January 30, 1984 | 2049 |
| Otowayama | Kakuryū Rikisaburō | Yokozuna | Otowayama | Yes | Iin | August 10, 1985 | 2050 |
| Miyagino | Hakuhō Shō | Yokozuna | Miyagino | Yes | Iin | March 11, 1985 | 2050 |
| Tateyama | Homarefuji Yoshiyuki | Maegashira 6 | Isegahama | No | Shunin | May 6, 1985 | 2050 |
| Ajigawa | Aminishiki Ryūji | Sekiwake | Ajigawa | Yes | Shunin | October 3, 1978 | 2043 |
| Nakamura | Yoshikaze Masatsugu | Sekiwake | Nishonoseki | No | Shunin | March 19, 1982 | 2047 |
| Arashio | Sōkokurai Eikichi | Maegashira 2 | Arashio | Yes | Shunin | January 9, 1984 | 2049 |
| Chiganoura | Satoyama Kōsaku | Maegashira 12 | Onoe | No | Shunin | May 31, 1981 | 2046 |
| Matsuchiyama | Bushūyama Takashi | Maegashira 3 | Fujishima | No | Shunin | May 21, 1976 | 2041 |
| Kiyomigata | Tochiōzan Yūichirō | Sekiwake | Kasugano | No | Shunin | March 9, 1987 | 2052 |
| Nakagawa | Asahisato Kenji | Maegashira 14 | Tokitsukaze | No | Toshiyori | November 9, 1965 | 2030 |
| Tokiwayama | Takamisugi Takakatsu | Komusubi | Tokiwayama | Yes | Toshiyori | March 1, 1961 | 2026 |
| Yamashina | Toyohibiki Ryūta | Maegashira 2 | Sakaigawa | No | Toshiyori | November 16, 1984 | 2049 |
| Kasugayama | Ikioi Shōta | Sekiwake | Isenoumi | No | Toshiyori | October 11, 1986 | 2051 |
| Tomozuna | Kaisei Ichiro | Sekiwake | Asakayama | No | Toshiyori | December 18, 1986 | 2051 |
| Kimigahama | Okinoumi Ayumi | Sekiwake | Hakkaku | No | Toshiyori | July 29, 1985 | 2050 |
| Magaki | Ishiura Shikanosuke | Maegashira 5 | Miyagino | No | Toshiyori | January 10, 1990 | 2055 |
| Araiso | Kotoyūki Kazuyoshi | Sekiwake | Sadogatake | No | Toshiyori | April 2, 1991 | 2056 |
| Sanoyama | Chiyonokuni Toshiki | Maegashira 1 | Kokonoe | No | Toshiyori | July 10, 1990 | 2055 |
| Dekiyama | Hōchiyama Kōkan | Maegashira 14 | Sakaigawa | No | Toshiyori | January 18, 1982 | 2047 |
| Furiwake | Sadanofuji Akihiro | Maegashira 2 | Sakaigawa | No | Toshiyori | December 25, 1984 | 2049 |
| Nishikijima | Shōtenrō Taishi | Maegashira 2 | Fujishima | No | Toshiyori | January 31, 1982 | 2047 |
| Kitajin | Tenkaihō Takayuki | Maegashira 8 | Onoe | No | Toshiyori | October 14, 1984 | 2049 |
| Kiriyama | Asahishō Kōta | Maegashira 11 | Ōshima | No | Toshiyori | July 21, 1989 | 2054 |
| Ōyama | Chiyoōtori Yūki | Komusubi | Kokonoe | No | Toshiyori | October 11, 1992 | 2057 |
| Izutsu | Akiseyama Mitsuhiko | Maegashira 12 | Kise | No | Toshiyori | July 18, 1985 | 2050 |
| Sendagawa | Tokushōryū Makoto | Maegashira 2 | Kise | No | Toshiyori | August 22, 1986 | 2051 |
| Minezaki | Misugiiso Takuya | Maegashira 2 | Shibatayama | No | Consultant | May 11, 1956 | 2021/2026* |
| Minatogawa | Daitetsu Tadamitsu | Komusubi | Hanaregoma | No | Consultant | October 29, 1956 | 2021/2026* |
| Oguruma | Kotokaze Kōki | Ōzeki | Oshiogawa | No | Consultant | April 26, 1957 | 2022/2027* |
| Tatsutayama | Sasshūnada Yasutaka | Maegashira 1 | Michinoku | No | Consultant | June 7, 1957 | 2022/2027* |
| Takashima | Kōbōyama Daizō | Sekiwake | Isenoumi | No | Consultant | August 15, 1957 | 2022/2027* |
| Kagamiyama | Tagaryū Shōji | Sekiwake | Isenoumi | No | Consultant | February 15, 1958 | 2023/2028* |
| Irumagawa | Tochitsukasa Tetsuo | Sekiwake | Ikazuchi | No | Consultant | April 25, 1958 | 2023/2028* |
| Shikoroyama | vacant | ||||||
Explanation of ranks
- rijichō - chairman
- riji - director
- fuku-riji - deputy director
- yakuin taigu iin - special executive
- iin - committee member
- shunin - senior member
- iin taigu toshiyori - elder receiving iin privileges
- toshiyori - elder
- sanyo - consultant (elders re-hired as consultant between 65 and 70 years old)
Elders who do not own but borrow their elder names are always toshiyori. They are not allowed to be stablemasters.
Hyōgiin is not a rank but a group of independent councillors who act as a kind of supervisory board for the directors. Initially there were three Internal Councillors (Ōtake, Futagoyama and Minatogawa) and four External Councillors (persons outside the sumo world). The Internal Councillors were ranked as iin prior to taking office and returned to that rank at the conclusion of their four-year term. In March 2018 they were replaced by three former wrestlers who are completely outside the Sumo Association: Fujinokawa, Washūyama and Asanosho.