Satonofuji Hisashi - 聡ノ富士 久志 (born April 15, 1977) is a former Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Yoshioka, Gunma. He made his debut in January 1996 and wrestled for Isegahama stable. His highest rank was makushita 55 and he retired in May 2025.
Early Life[]
Matsuoka attended Maebashi Commercial High School where he was a member of the school's judo club. He was scouted for professional sumo when a member of the Ajigawa stable's Gunma Supporters Association visited his high school. He subsequently joined Ajigawa stable after graduating from high school.[1]
Career[]
He made his professional debut in January 1996 under the shikona "Asatofuji" (安聡富士). He reached the sandanme division in September 1997, but did not establish himself as a sandanme regular until January 2000. He reached makushita in September 2005, but finished with a 1-6 record and this proved to be the only time he wrestled in the division. He was given the new shikona "Satonofuji" (聡ノ富士) in March 2008. In May 2012, Satonofuji won all seven matches, but missed out on the jonidan yusho after losing to Oazuma in a playoff.[2]
Satonofuji began to perform the yumitori-shiki, or bow twirling ceremony, in January 2013, which is typically performed by a lower-division wrestler in the same stable as a yokozuna.[3] At that time, stablemate Harumafuji–seven years his junior–had recently been promoted to the top rank. Satonofuji stopped performing the ceremony a few tournaments after Harumafuji retired, but resumed in September 2021. Although his return coincided with the promotion of fellow Isegahama wrestler Terunofuji to the yokozuna rank, Satonofuji had stepped in with little notice after Shohoryu scheduled to perform the ceremony injured his shoulder in a match.[4] Upon his return to the role, Satonofuji was quoted as saying that he was too old to show his body.[5] At the age of 44, he became the oldest performer of the ceremony since the Showa era.[6]
In a November 2022 interview, Satonofuji said in regard to the yumitori-shiki that "every single gesture has a meaning, so I put my heart into it."[7]
During the July 2023 tournament Satonofuji withdrew from competition, and so the yumitori-shiki duties temporarily went to then-sandanme wrestler Yuki from the same stable as ozeki Kirishima.[8] In September 2023 Satonofuji, demoted to jonokuchi for the first time since his debut in 1996, performed the yumitori-shiki for the first two days of the tournament until Yuki resumed the duties.[9] In 2024 Satonofuji returned to yumitori duties, usually performing the ceremony unless Terunofuji withdrew from a tournament.[10]
Satonofuji last performed the yumitori-shiki on 16 January 2025, the day that Terunofuji withdrew from the January 2025 tournament; the yokozuna officially retired the next day. Satonofuji told reporters he had sensed on the day of Terunofuji's withdrawal that he could be performing his last yumitori-shiki (since his stable would no longer have a top-ranked wrestler). Upon learning of the retirement, Satonofuji praised Terunofuji for his hard work, noting that he, like Terunofuji, also dropped down to the jonidan division before rising up again. He also reflected on his time as the performer of the yumitori-shiki, expressing his thanks for being able to set a record for the performances by being an example for other wrestlers, injured wrestlers, his stable and the Japan Sumo Association.[11]
Retirement from Sumo[]
Following his last match at the May 2025 tournament at the rank of jonidan 100, Satonofuji announced his retirement from professional sumo, concluding a career spanning nearly three decades. The retirement coincided with the final tournament for his stablemaster Isegahama (the 63rd yokozuna Asahifuji), who will reach sumo's mandatory retirement age in July 2025. Satonofuji said that he had considered retiring on two occasions following surgery for retinal detachment, but continued on because of his love for sumo. He plans to work in the food and beverage industry in Tokyo after his retirement.[12] His danpatsu-shiki, or retirement ceremony, was held on May 25, 2025, during his stable's senshuraku party at a hotel in Tokyo.[13]
Fighting Style[]
Satonofuji defeats Fujinohana by izori (backwards body drop)
Satonofuji is a yotsu-sumo wrestler who prefers grappling to pushing and thrusting techniques. His most common kimarite are tsukiotoshi (thrust down) and yorikiri (force out). He is also a masterful technician having used the zubuneri (head pivot throw) on 28 occasions and izori (backwards body drop) on 16 occasions.[14]
Record[]
Division Results[]
- Total: 570-627-21/1195 (175 basho)
- Makushita: 1-6/7 (1 basho)
- Sandanme: 254-301-19/554 (82 basho)
- Jonidan: 302-312-2/613 (88 basho)
- Jonokuchi: 13-8/21 (3 basho)
Shikona History[]
- Asatofuji Hisashi (1996.01 - 2008.01)
- Satonofuji Hisashi (2008.03 - 2025.05)
Gallery[]
(c. 2018)
External Links[]
- Satonofuji Hisashi Japanese Wikipedia Article
- Satonofuji Hisashi Rikishi Information
- Satonofuji Hisashi JSA Profile Page
References[]
- ↑ Koufuku: Satonofuji Rikishi Biography
- ↑ Satonofuji Rikishi Information
- ↑ Mainichi: Veteran archer Satonofuji and his protégé Terunofuji celebrate their victory
- ↑ Nikkan Sports: The wrestler in charge of the archery role was suddenly replaced
- ↑ Nikkan Sports: Two of his disciples, Yokozuna, hold a bow-taking ceremony
- ↑ Asahi: New Yokozuna's senior takes over as substitute at archery ceremony
- ↑ Yomiuri Shimbun: [Learn about the national sport] Archery ceremony
- ↑ Nikkan Sports: Yuki takes an "emergency appearance" in the Yumitori ceremony
- ↑ Mainichi: Yuki is a busy "four-sword style" wrestler who suddenly appears at the archery ceremony
- ↑ Sponichi Annex: Asanowaka suddenly appears as a yumitori-shiki wrestler
- ↑ Hochi Sports: Yokozuna Terunofuji conveys his gratitude to Satonofuji
- ↑ Nikkan Sports: 48-year-old Satonofuji retires: "I've had enough"
- ↑ Twitter: At the senshuraku party, Satonofuji had his danpatsu-shiki
- ↑ Satonofuji Kimarite Information