On October 1, 2023, the former sekiwake Kaisei held his retirement topknot-cutting ceremony at the Ryogoku Kokugikan. Brazilian-born, Kaisei rose to sekiwake — the third-highest rank in sumo — and went further than any Brazilian wrestler before him. Three Brazilians had reached salaried status earlier, but all stopped in the second division; Kaisei pushed past that line into the top division and on to sekiwake. The ceremony was held for invited associates rather than as a general-public event, though a wrestler of his standing could easily have filled a public house.
This account comes from Michihiro Taguchi, the site’s writer-photographer, drawn from accounts of the day and photographs sent to him. By accounts from those present, the day moved from the entrance photos through the long line of cutters to the final ceremonial snip, and what follows reconstructs it in that order.
Who Kaisei was
Kaisei was born in Brazil and belonged to the Tomozuna stable, then headed by the former Kaiki. His highest rank was sekiwake. He won the Fighting Spirit Prize three times and spent 60 tournaments in the top division. The Brazilian point is what set his career apart: three Brazilian wrestlers had reached salaried (sekitori) status before him, but each had stopped in the second division. Kaisei went past that, into the top division and up to sekiwake.
One bout the writer could not forget came in the 2018 July tournament, on day 10, against the ozeki Takayasu — at the time the second-highest rank. It was the final bout of the day, the musubi-no-ichiban. When Kaisei won it, the roar and the reaction inside the hall were tremendous.
After retiring, Kaisei moved to the Asakayama stable, headed by the former Kaio.
An unusual greeting
Entry opened at 11:00, and Kaisei and his wife posed for commemorative photographs with guests at the entrance. The danpatsu-shiki itself began at 12:00, using the front and the east and west sides of the venue.
One touch stood out. When the supporters’-association chairman rose to give his greetings, not only Kaisei but also the Asakayama stablemaster stood as well. That dual rising is a quite unusual arrangement, tied to Kaisei’s move to the Asakayama stable.
The topknot-cutting
No headcount was announced for the cutting. For reasons of timing, the former Aminishiki, now the Ajigawa elder, along with Terunofuji, Midorifuji, and Atamifuji, took their snips early. From there the cutting proceeded solemnly.
There was a women’s section, in which many took part, including the wife of the former Kotoken. Relatives followed: his sister, his mother, his wife, and the stablemistress. Then his younger brother, and all the wrestlers of the Asakayama stable, took a snip.
The final cut
A long line of elders and wrestlers took their turn. Among the wrestlers were Tenshoho, Chiyomaru, and Takarafuji. Among the elders were the former Hakuho, now the Miyagino elder; the former Asahifuji, now the Isegahama elder; and Kaisei’s retirement-time master, the former Kyokutenho, now the Oshima elder — alongside a long line of other elders who each took a snip.
Then the former Kaio — the Asakayama stablemaster — made the final ceremonial cut, the tomebasami. The two bowed once, and the ceremony ended. Two hours and twenty minutes had passed since it began.
Key Takeaways
- Kaisei, born in Brazil, reached sekiwake — the third-highest rank — and was the first Brazilian to go beyond the second division into the top division.
- The retirement topknot-cutting ceremony took place on October 1, 2023, at the Ryogoku Kokugikan, for invited associates.
- Kaisei won the Fighting Spirit Prize three times and spent 60 tournaments in the top division.
- The former Kaio, the Asakayama stablemaster, made the final ceremonial cut, the tomebasami.
- The ceremony lasted two hours and twenty minutes from its 12:00 start.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Kaisei?
Kaisei was a Brazilian-born wrestler of the Tomozuna stable, then headed by the former Kaiki. His highest rank was sekiwake, the third-highest rank in sumo. He won the Fighting Spirit Prize three times and spent 60 tournaments in the top division.
When and where was the ceremony held?
The retirement topknot-cutting ceremony was held on October 1, 2023, at the Ryogoku Kokugikan. It was held for invited associates rather than as a general-public event.
Who made the final cut?
The former Kaio, who heads the Asakayama stable, made the final ceremonial cut, the tomebasami. After retiring, Kaisei had moved to the Asakayama stable. The two bowed once, and the ceremony ended.
What made Kaisei’s career notable?
Three Brazilian wrestlers had reached salaried status before Kaisei, but all had stopped in the second division. Kaisei went past that line into the top division and up to sekiwake, further than any Brazilian before him.
