Hakkaku stable, Sumo stable in Sumida, Japan
Hakkaku stable is a training facility for sumo wrestlers in Sumida, where apprentices live and train under the supervision of a former champion. The building contains training rooms on the lower floor and living quarters on the upper levels, where wrestlers follow a daily routine governed by strict rules.
Hokutoumi, the 61st Yokozuna, opened the training facility in 1993 and brought four young wrestlers he had previously mentored. The stable took over the name Hakkaku and the location of an older training school that had closed earlier.
The name Hakkaku refers to eight corners, even though the competition ring in sumo is actually round. In earlier times, the ring used to have an angular shape before it evolved into its current form.
Training sessions take place in the morning and can be observed by visitors under suitable conditions. Access is limited, so it is advisable to contact the facility beforehand to learn when a visit is possible.
Kitanofuji, himself a former Yokozuna, lives on the top floor and remains connected to the place where he trained his pupils. His continued presence shows how closely the community of a training school stays together even after decades.
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