FORMER MAEGASHIRA NO. 6 · HIDENOUMI TAKUYA
Hidenoumi Retirement & Topknot-Cutting Ceremony
A rare day insidethe world of sumo.
Enter Ryogoku Kokugikan for traditional ceremonies, special sumo bouts and the final chapter of Hidenoumi’s fourteen-year career.
- Date
- Venue
- Ryogoku Kokugikan
- Doors
- 12:00
- Starts
- 13:00
Hidenoumi Takuya
WHY THIS OCTOBER EVENT IS RARE
- Sumo at the Kokugikan—in an even-numbered month.
- One day. Four unforgettable moments.
- Fourteen years,one bout at a time.
- The momentsthat shape a bout.
- Watch. Taste. Take part.
- Choose how you want to experience the day.
- A sumo journey that began at seven.Witness his final chapter at the Kokugikan.
- Begins sumo at seven
- Competitive strength forged in junior-high sumo
- Competes nationally at Saitama Sakae High School
- From Nihon University to professional sumo
- Professional debut and a 16-bout winning streak
- Promoted to juryo as Hidenoumi
- Top-division debut and juryo championship
- Ten top-division wins alongside his brother
- Career-high East Maegashira No. 6
- Immediate return to juryo
- Back in makuuchi after 21 tournaments
- Retirement after 83 tournaments and fourteen years
- Ryogoku Kokugikan,the historic home of sumo.
- Frequently asked questions
- Contact
- One ceremonial cut.A lifelong memory.
Sumo at the Kokugikan—in an even-numbered month.
Tokyo’s grand sumo tournaments at Ryogoku Kokugikan are normally held in January, May and September. This exceptional October event is a rare opportunity to enter sumo’s historic home in an even-numbered month and witness sumo ceremonies and special bouts.
This is not a regular grand tournament. It is an official and deeply meaningful retirement ceremony in which family, fellow wrestlers, supporters and guests place a ceremonial cut into Hidenoumi’s topknot as he begins a new chapter. English explanatory materials and announcements are planned.
PROGRAM
One day. Four unforgettable moments.
Invited professional wrestlers are expected to take part in traditional ceremonies and special bouts created for this day.
Professional ring-entering ceremony
An imposing dohyo-iri performed by invited professional sumo wrestlers.
Hidenoumi’s topknot-cutting ceremony
Participants place one ceremonial cut into the oicho topknot as he bids farewell to active sumo.
Amateur vs professional
Special bouts between high-level young amateur wrestlers and professional rikishi.
A new beginning
Hidenoumi returns with his new haircut to greet everyone in attendance.
Images are illustrative. Programme, participants and timings are subject to change.
FOURTEEN YEARS ON THE DOHYO
Fourteen years,one bout at a time.
THE MOMENTS BETWEEN BOUTS
The momentsthat shape a bout.
Preparation, salt purification, controlled breathing—and then the clash. Follow the many expressions behind Hidenoumi’s life on the dohyo.
MORE TO EXPERIENCE
Watch. Taste. Take part.
Discover Japanese culture through the food, customs and movements of sumo.
ChankoTaste the wrestlers’ traditional meal
SakeJapanese sake counter
Sumo craft beerA beer inspired by sumo
Sumo movementsTry basic training movements on a mat
MerchandiseOfficial Hidenoumi goodsFood, drinks and merchandise may be charged separately. Details will be announced when confirmed.
TICKET INFORMATION
Choose how you want to experience the day.
All prices exclude Japanese consumption tax and are per person. The topknot-cutting plan includes an assigned S seat.
STANDARD SEATING
B / C Seat
Tax excl.20,000JPY
B seats are allocated to the earliest purchasers. After the B-seat allocation is exhausted, guests will receive assigned C seats.
- Assigned B or C seat
- Ceremony and programme admission
- Access to cultural activities
PREMIUM SEATING
S / A Seat
Tax excl.40,000JPY
S seats are allocated to the earliest purchasers. After the S-seat allocation is exhausted, guests will receive assigned A seats.
- Assigned S or A seat
- Exclusive original gift (not for sale)
- Ceremony and programme admission
- Access to cultural activities
DANPATSU 10
Topknot-Cutting Participation
Tax excl.100,000JPY
A rare opportunity to make one ceremonial cut of Hidenoumi’s topknot
- Personally cut Hidenoumi’s topknot
- Assigned S seat
- Access to cultural activities
Women are welcome to participateIn accordance with sumo tradition, women may not step onto the dohyo, but they may personally cut Hidenoumi’s topknot from a place immediately beside it.
We will notify you as your turn approachesThe topknot-cutting ceremony is expected to last one to two hours. Announcements and staff will advise participants as their turn approaches.
From purchase to event day
- 01Choose a seat or plan
Choose an admission ticket or a topknot-cutting plan.
- 02Secure online payment
Enter the required details and pay securely via Stripe.
- 03Keep your confirmation email
Keep your order confirmation and review the event-day information.
- 04To Ryogoku Kokugikan
On the day, check in using the method provided in your event guidance.
Tickets are generally non-changeable, non-cancellable and non-refundable. Please review the conditions on the payment page before purchasing.
HIDENOUMI TAKUYA
A sumo journey that began at seven.Witness his final chapter at the Kokugikan.
Hidenoumi began sumo in Edogawa, studied at Saitama Sakae High School and Nihon University, then joined Kise stable. With a strong right-hand inside grip and forward-moving style, he rose to East Maegashira No. 6. This ceremony is his opportunity to thank everyone who supported 541 victories across 83 tournaments.
- Birth name
- Takuya Iwasaki
- Stable
- Kise Stable
- Career record
- 541 wins · 539 losses · 22 absences
- Highest rank
- Maegashira No. 6
Begins sumo at seven
He discovered sumo in his first year at Kamiisshiki Elementary School in Edogawa and began his journey as a young wrestler.
Competitive strength forged in junior-high sumo
Soon after junior high school, he won the Taito spring tournament by defeating the future Chiyotairyu in the final, showing the competitive strength that would take him nationally.
Competes nationally at Saitama Sakae High School
A team regular from his first year, he helped Saitama Sakae win consecutive Inter-High team titles and later supported the squad as captain.
From Nihon University to professional sumo
After building his experience in Nihon University’s renowned sumo club, he joined Kise stable under his university senior, stablemaster Kise.
Professional debut and a 16-bout winning streak
He won the jonokuchi division in July and followed with a perfect jonidan championship in September, extending his debut winning streak to sixteen.
Promoted to juryo as Hidenoumi
On promotion to juryo he adopted the name Hidenoumi, whose characters reflect connections to his student years, family and stablemaster.
Top-division debut and juryo championship
He made his top-division debut in July 2015. An 11–4 juryo championship in January 2016 carried him back to makuuchi.
Ten top-division wins alongside his brother
He earned his first top-division winning record with ten victories; his younger brother Tobizaru also won ten bouts in the same tournament.
Career-high East Maegashira No. 6
Ten wins in the top division lifted him sharply up the rankings to his career-high position.
Immediate return to juryo
After his sekitori run ended, a 5–2 record at East Makushita No. 2 brought him straight back to juryo after only one tournament.
Back in makuuchi after 21 tournaments
A 9–6 record at East Juryo No. 2 completed a long road back to the top division.
Retirement after 83 tournaments and fourteen years
Career record: 541 wins, 539 losses and 22 absences. He leaves the dohyo without regret and takes his next step.
Ryogoku Kokugikan
〒130-0015
1-3-28 Yokoami, Sumida-ku, Tokyo
- JR
- About 2 minutes on foot from JR Ryogoku Station West Exit
- Subway
- About 5 minutes from Toei Oedo Line Ryogoku Station Exit A3
There is no dedicated parking. Please use public transport or a nearby paid car park.
12:00 Doors
13:00 Starts
Around 16:00 Expected finish
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Does a topknot-cutting ticket include admission?
Yes. The ¥100,000 topknot-cutting plan includes an S seat, so no separate admission ticket is required.
May women take part in the topknot cutting?
Yes. In accordance with sumo tradition, women may not step onto the dohyo, but a place immediately beside it will be provided so they can personally cut Hidenoumi’s topknot.
When will I know my topknot-cutting turn?
Announcements and staff will guide participants as their turn approaches. The ceremony is expected to last one to two hours.
May I leave before the event finishes?
Yes. You may leave before the scheduled finish to suit your travel plans. Please check the event-day guidance regarding re-entry.
May I take photographs or video?
Please follow event-day guidance on photography and respect the ceremony, any restrictions, staff instructions and other guests.
Is there a dress code?
Men are encouraged to wear a jacket. Women are asked to wear office-casual attire or smarter.
Is there an age restriction?
No. Guests of all ages are welcome.
Can tickets be changed or cancelled?
Purchases are generally non-changeable, non-cancellable and non-refundable. Please confirm the final conditions before payment.
Can the programme or participants change?
Yes. The published programme is provisional and may change depending on circumstances on the day.
CONTACT
Contact
Contact us about tickets, topknot-cutting participation or arrangements for international guests.
- Our reply
- We normally reply within three business days after reviewing your enquiry.
- Before sending
- Please check that your email address is correct.
ONE LAST CEREMONY
One ceremonial cut.A lifelong memory.
Join Hidenoumi, his supporters and fellow wrestlers for an authentic moment in Japanese sumo culture on 3 October 2026.
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