Minato stable


Minato stable is a stable of sumo wrestlers, part of the Nishonoseki, or group of stables. As of August 2025, the stable had 9 wrestlers.

History

It was founded in 1982 by former Yutakayama Hiromitsu, who branched off from Tokitsukaze stable. The former Yutakayama studied at the Tokyo University of Agriculture, and due to his interest in academia his stable was the first to introduce a library on its premises. Until the arrival of Ichinojō, the stable had produced just one -ranked wrestler, Minatofuji, who reached a highest rank of 2 in 1995 and later became a coach at the stable under the name Tatsutagawa.
In July 2010, Minato and Tatsutagawa swapped roles. In the same month, Chinese wrestler earned promotion to the division. In December 2017, Minato left the Tokitsukaze, leaving the stable unaffiliated to any group. In September 2018, the stable joined the Nishonoseki.
In May 2014, Mongolian wrestler Ichinojō became the third wrestler from the stable to achieve status. In September of the same year, he reached the division and, in just two tournaments, became Minato's most successful wrestler, achieving the rank of for the November tournament. Despite a successful career and a top-division championship achieved in July 2022, the relationship between Ichinojō and his master Minato deteriorated, particularly after it was revealed that the wrestler had assaulted the in November 2022, also suggesting that Ichinojō had issues with alcoholism and had been disruptive at parties by drinking excessively. As a result, Ichinojō moved out of the stable building to live on his own in December 2021. After a Sumo Association investigation, it was ruled that Ichinojō's assault on the was not malicious and that issues concerning both their relations and alcoholism had been ruled out. It was also found that Ichinojō violated Sumo Association-imposed COVID rules by visiting restaurants on two separate occasions in November 2020 and August 2021 when wrestlers were not permitted to go out. As a result, Ichinojō was issued a one-tournament suspension. Ichinojō's stablemaster was also issued a 20% salary reduction for three months. In May 2023, Ichinojō announced his retirement without resolving his relationship issues with his master, and his retirement ceremony took place without the participation of his stable.
In June 2025, the stable positioned itself to recruit Englishman Nicholas Tarasenko, making him the potential third British-born wrestler to become a professional sumo wrestler if his official debut in May 2026 goes ahead.

Ring name conventions

Many wrestlers at this stable take, or ring name, that include the character for 'harbour', which is the first character in the stable name, and which is also in deference to stablemaster Minatofuji. It can be used as a prefix, as in Minatoryū and Minatoshō, or as a suffix, as in Hamaminato and Haruminato.

Owners

  • 2010–present: 23rd Minato
  • 1982–2010: 22nd Minato

    Notable active wrestlers

  • none

    Notable former members

  • Ichinojō
  • Minatofuji

  • Referees

  • Kimura Motoki

    Hairdresser

  • Tokomori

    Location and access

Saitama Prefecture, Kawaguchi City, Shibanakata 2-20-10
15 minute walk from Warabi Station on Keihin Tōhoku Line