(Looking for a different day? Try the master list!)
Compiled from: JSA's postings for makuuchi, juryo, makushita, sandanme, jonidan and jonokuchi; JSA's absence list, JSA's tournament leader list, JSA's tournament champions list and JSA's Day 8 program in Japanese.
There are 156 bouts listed on the schedule today. It's an even-numbered day which means the west side is first to get called.
3 of today's 156 bouts are fusensho or fusenpai because of kyujo rikishi. This may change over the course of the day!
Check the appendices at the end of the schedule for more useful information!
If you want a toriteki (non-salaried rikishi from divisions 3 to 6) added to this watch list, get in touch!
Appearing on day 8: Arise, Asakiryu, Asanowaka, Asasorai, Asonoyama, Baraki, Dainichido, Furanshisu, Hayashiryu, Hogasho, Ikazuchido, Kaihiryu, Kaiseijo, Kazeeidai, Kazekeno, Kazeyuki, Kenho, Kiryuko, Kitadaichi, Kyokutaisei, Mineyaiba, Mogamizakura, Najima, Obara, Onokatsu, Raiho, Satsumao, Shoketsu, Shoran, Shunkaku, Shunrai, Souga, Takerufuji, Taranami, Tatsuosho, Tsushimanada, Urutora, Wakatakamoto, Yago, Yamato, Yoshii, Yukiamami
Having a rest on day 8: Agora, Akenonami, Amakaze, Aonishiki, Chikureisen, Dewanojo, Fujiseiun, Hagane, Hakuoho, Hananoumi, Hokuyozan, Itadaki, Ito, Kamito, Kanzaki, Kazuto, Kirimaru, Kitanosho, Koki, Kokiryu, Kokuryunami, Kotokuzan, Kototebakari, Maikeru, Miyagi, Moriurara, Nabatame, Nakashima, Nikko, Otani, Rinko, Satonofuji, Sawayaka, Sazanami, Suyama, Taiga, Takeuchi, Tanji, Terutsuyoshi, Toshunryu, Tsukubayama, Wakaikari, Wakatakakage, Yuki
Kyujo on day 8: Chiyooga, Enho, Kawamura, Kiho, Rao, Tochimaru
Note: Each division also has its own mini-report for who's on the schedule and who's kyujo!
The following rikishi are kyujo on day 8: Amao, Aoifuji, Aoiyama, Chiyooga, Daiyusho, Dewataikai, Enho, Hatooka, Hayatefuji, Higohikari, Hokuseiho, Ienoshima, Kaishin, Kawamura, Kiho, Kiyonoyama, Kiyota, Kosei, Kototaiki, Kyokushori, Makotofuji, Masuminato, Minorufuji, Mishima, Miyakogawa, Nishikikuni, Oginohama, Okuyama, Rao, Ryuo, Ryutsukasa, Sadanojo, Sadanokuni, Shinzan, Shosei, Takakeisho, Takakento, Takayasu, Tamatensho, Tochimaru, Tsuyasato, Wakaikki, Wakayamanaka, Yamadaumi, Yurikisho
These gyoji were promoted at the end of December: Tategyoji Shikimori Inosuke (41st) promoted to Kimura Shonosuke (38th); Kimura Hisanosuke (up to san'yaku); Kimura Seiichiro (to makushita); Kimura Sakuranosuke (to makushita); Shikimori Komei (to jonidan); Shikimori Tomokimi (to jonidan). Congratulations to them all!
Azumaryu ("Squidward") announced his retirement in December after the release of the banzuke.
Retirees after the November tournament include Chiyoshishi, Kototakuya, Daijo, Tamanowaka, Itoga, Kirizakura and Raikisho. Best of luck to them all! (Collected from JSA's retirements page, Japanese language)
Chiyoarashi retired mid-tournament.
Second top ranked gyoji Kimura Tamajiro retired suddenly in September 2023, making that his final tournament. Shikimori Shiho has also disappeared from the listing of gyoji on the website in time for January 2024.
Takayasu went absent from day 3 with a back injury (source: Sponichi) then returned on day 6, but went out again on day 8 with an even worse back injury plus the flu! (Source: Hochi News). Takakeisho went absent from day 4 with a pinched nerve in his neck and is likely to be out for the rest of the tournament. Hokuseiho went absent from day 6 with a hurt knee and will require surgery. (source: Nikkan Sports). Aoiyama went absent from day 7 with a ruptured ACL and damaged meniscus. (Source: Sponichi)
Ringside judge Sadogatake is absent and will be replaced by Fujishima. Ringside judge Ajigawa is also absent and will be replaced by Onogawa. (Source: tachiai's Twitter.)
Official JSA fixtures, results and winning techniques for jonokuchi
Coming up: Taranami
Shimpan are Onaruto (ozeki Dejima) facing us right, Edagawa (maegashira #1 Aogiyama) right of dohyo, Asahiyama* (sekiwake Kotonishiki) facing away on mic, Tanigawa (sekiwake Hokutoriki) left of dohyo, Naruto* (ozeki Kotooshu) facing us left
Yobidashi is Akitaka (Ajigawa stable); Gyoji is Shikimori Kazenosuke (Oshiogawa stable)
Official JSA fixtures, results and winning techniques for jonidan
Coming up: Asasorai, Hayashiryu, Kaihiryu, Kenho, Mogamizakura, Najima, Satsumao, Shoketsu, Shunkaku, Souga, Urutora, Yamato, Yukiamami
Gyoji is Shikimori Kisaburo (Tokitsukaze stable)
Gyoji is Shikimori Komei (Naruto stable)
Gyoji is Kimura Shunta (Shikoroyama stable)
Gyoji is Kimura Ryunosuke (Kokonoe stable)
Shimpan are Kataonami* (sekiwake Tamakasuga) facing us right, Tamagaki (komusubi Tomonohana) right of dohyo, Azumazeki (komusubi Takamisakari) facing away on mic, Tokitsukaze* (maegashira #1 Tosayutaka) left of dohyo, Ikazuchi* (komusubi Kakizoe) facing us left
Tamatensho is kyujo! Yumenofuji picks up the fusensho
Gyoji is Kimura Keitaro (Musashigawa stable)
Gyoji is Kimura Katsunosuke (Oshima stable)
Gyoji is Kimura Narimasa (Irumagawa)
Official JSA fixtures, results and winning techniques for sandanme
Coming up: Arise, Asakiryu, Baraki, Dainichido, Furanshisu, Hogasho, Ikazuchido, Kazeeidai, Kazeyuki, Raiho, Shoran, Shunrai, Tatsuosho, Wakatakamoto
Gyoji is Shikimori Kainosuke (Isenoumi stable)
Shimpan are Tatekawa (sekiwake Tosanoumi) facing us right, Hanaregoma* (sekiwake Tamanoshima) right of dohyo, Futagoyama* (ozeki Miyabiyama) facing away on mic, Onogawa (maegashira #2 Kitataiki) left of dohyo, Hidenoyama (ozeki Kotoshogiku) facing us left
Gyoji is Shikimori Tatsunosuke (Takadagawa stable)
Gyoji is Shikimori Seisuke (Miyagino stable)
Gyoji is Kimura Sakuranosuke (Shikihide stable)
Gyoji is Shikimori Seiichiro (Isegahama stable)
Gyoji is Kimura Kintaro (Nishikido stable)
Gyoji is Kimura Kazuma (Nishiiwa stable)
Gyoji is Shikimori Kinosuke (Sadogatake stable)
Shimpan are Urakaze (maegashira #1 Shikishima) facing us right, Takenawa (sekiwake Tochinonada) right of dohyo, Oshima* (sekiwake Kyokutenho) facing away on mic, Takasago* (sekiwake Asasekiryu) left of dohyo, Nishonoseki* (the 72nd yokozuna Kisenosato) facing us left
Official JSA fixtures, results and winning techniques for makushita
Coming up: Asanowaka, Asonoyama, Kaiseijo, Kazekeno, Kyokutaisei, Mineyaiba, Obara, Yoshii
Gyoji is Shikimori Tomokazu (Oshima stable)
Kiyota is kyujo! Kumanoryu picks up the fusensho
Gyoji is Kimura Ennosuke (Nishonoseki stable)
Gyoji is Kimura Satoshi (Takasago stable)
Yobidashi is Soichi (Yamahibiki stable)
Yobidashi is Yohei (Dewanoumi stable); Gyoji is Shikimori Kazuki (Arashio stable)
Yobidashi is Keisuke (Shibatayama stable)
Yobidashi is Fujio (Isegahama stable); Gyoji is Kimura Hideaki (Tokiwayama stable)
Yobidashi is Shigetaro (Kokonoe stable)
Yobidashi is Tasuke (Yamahibiki stable); Gyoji is Kimura Kozaburo (Hakkaku stable)
Yobidashi is Satoru (Hanaregoma stable); Gyoji is Kimura Zennosuke (Kasugano stable)
Official JSA fixtures, results and winning techniques for makushita
Coming up: Kiryuko, Kitadaichi, Onokatsu, Yago
Shimpan are Asakayama* (ozeki Kaio) facing away on mic, Tamagaki (komusubi Tomonohana), Azumazeki (komusubi Takamisakari), Tokitsukaze* (maegashira #1 Tosayutaka), Ikazuchi* (komusubi Kakizoe)
Yobidashi is Masao (Nishiiwa stable); Gyoji is Kimura Chishu (Dewanoumi stable)
Yobidashi is Rokuro (Nishonoseki stable); Gyoji is Kimura KANKURO (Yamahibiki stable)
Official JSA fixtures, results and winning techniques for juryo
Coming up: Takerufuji, Tsushimanada
Yobidashi is Hiroyuki (Nishiiwa stable); Gyoji is Kimura Kichijiro (Shibatayama stable)
Yobidashi is Matsuo (Hanaregoma stable); Gyoji is Shikimori Shinnosuke (Hanaregoma stable)
Yobidashi is Kunio (Takasago stable); Gyoji is Kimura Yukihiro (Tamanoi stable)
Yobidashi is Mitsuaki (Tagonoura stable); Gyoji is Kimura Mitsunosuke (Takadagawa stable)
Yobidashi is Rikinojo (Takasago stable); Gyoji is Kimura Takao (Tagonoura stable)
Yobidashi is Koji (Asakayama stable); Gyoji is Kimura Asanosuke (Takasago stable)
Yobidashi is Teruki (Isegahama stable); Gyoji is Shikimori Kiichiro (Oitekaze stable)
Official JSA fixtures, results and winning techniques for makuuchi
Shimpan are Kumegawa (komusubi Kotoinazuma) facing away on mic, Hanaregoma* (sekiwake Tamanoshima), Futagoyama* (ozeki Miyabiyama), Onogawa (maegashira #2 Kitataiki), Hidenoyama (ozeki Kotoshogiku)
Yobidashi is Daikichi (Hakkaku stable); Gyoji is ❤️ Kimura Yonosuke ❤️ (Hakkaku stable)
Yobidashi is Kotoyoshi (Sadogatake stable); Gyoji is Kimura Ginjiro (Shibatayama stable)
Yobidashi is Kotozo (Sadogatake stable); Gyoji is Shikimori Kindayu (Hanaregoma stable)
Yobidashi is Ryuji (Miyagino stable); Gyoji is Kimura Akijiro (Kasugano stable)
Yobidashi is Akira (Oshima stable); Gyoji is Kimura Motoki (Minato stable)
Yobidashi is Kokichi (Oshima stable); Gyoji is Shikimori Kandayu (Miyagino stable)
Shimpan are Fujishima* (ozeki Musoyama) facing away on mic, Takenawa (sekiwake Tochinonada), Oshima* (sekiwake Kyokutenho), Takasago* (sekiwake Asasekiryu), Nishonoseki* (the 72nd yokozuna Kisenosato)
Yobidashi is Goro (Otake stable); Gyoji is Kimura Hisanosuke (Oshima stable)
Yobidashi is Shigeo (Kokonoe stable); Gyoji is Kimura Konosuke (Kokonoe stable)
Yobidashi is Shiro (Otake stable); Gyoji is Kimura Shotaro (Kasugano stable)
Takayasu is kyujo! Kotonowaka picks up the fusensho
Yobidashi is Katsuyuki (Shibatayama stable); Gyoji is Kimura Yodo (Kokonoe stable)
Yobidashi is Jiro (Kasugano stable); Gyoji is Kimura Shonosuke (Takadagawa stable)
Wikipedia has a list of winning techniques like oshidashi, yorikiri, etc and a sumo glossary, the heaviest grand sumo competitors ever, and an English-language page for just about every sekitori there is or was.
SumoDB has the entire banzuke in both Japanese and English. SumoDB also contains information about historical results and head to head matchups.
Nihon Sumo Kyokai (Japan Sumo Association) links: current rankings Japanese/English; yobidashi (ushers & attendants) Japanese/English; gyoji (referees) Japanese/English; oyakata (coaches) Japanese/English; heya (training stables) Japanese/English. NSK homepage in English; retirees - Japanese only but only requires hiragana knowledge
Fred Pinkerton's promotion/demotion charts show who's moving where in top division.
News sources and blogs: Tachi-Ai sumo blog (in English); Japan Times sumo coverage (in English); Nikkan Sports sumo articles (in Japanese); Sponichi sumo articles (in Japanese); Chunichi sumo articles (in Japanese). Hochi.news sumo articles (in Japanese). Useful Japanese terms to search in the highlights page for: 休場 (kyujo, absence); コロナ (korona, COVID).
Japanese language resources: DeepL for translating entire articles; Jisho for looking up specific words and kanji; the 10ten extension for Firefox lets you mouse over particular Japanese text of interest on websites.
Curiosities: that time half a stable went AWOL because the stablemaster's wife was being too harsh on them; interview with a yobidashi
A comprehensive gallery featuring head shots and bios of rikishi, oyakata, gyoji, yobidashi and more (correct to the beginning of 2023). Pre-bout rituals explained; What do the gyoji say?
Mono-ii reports are very formulaic! They're usually a couple of long run-on sentences that go something like this:
Matters for discussion and findings may include a touchout (te ga dete ori/orazu..), a simultaneous landing for both rikishi (doutai or ryousha), or even a disqualification (hansoku).
Helpful words to listen out for to get the gist of the report:
The outcome can go three ways:
Click the name of the shimpan to see what they look like. (You may need to middle-click it to open the link in a new window.) Thanks to the maintainer of this page for providing these images!
No new ringside judges to report this month!
Stablemasters have * after their name; everyone else is a coach.
Members of this senior group join up with other shimpan groups to act as head shimpan after the juryo ring entrance ceremony & intermission.
Expect to see one or more of these folks subbing in if someone doesn't make their shift: Hatachiyama (komusubi Tochinohana), Minato* (maegashira 2 Minatofuji), Shiranui (komusubi Wakakoyu), Takadagawa (sekiwake Akinoshima)
The official program only lists sekitori yobidashi from Soichi onwards. Even after their match-calling shifts, these youngsters work throughout the day as attendants.
There's a slightly outdated gallery of yobidashi headshots with bios at Heyaaz - it's missing Kumajiro because he debuted during 2023.
To help spot them, here's links to screencaps of the non-sekitori yobidashi in their order of appearance, including onscreen bios in Japanese:
