Minezaki, the former maegashira Misugiso and stablemaster of the Minezaki stable, celebrated his 70th birthday on the 11th. With the current tournament marking his final one, he will step down from the Japan Sumo Association. He made his professional debut in the spring tournament of 1971 at just 14 years old, while still in middle school. After retiring from active competition at 30, he served as the head of the Minezaki stable from 1988 to 2021, nurturing wrestlers such as maegashira Araoi. In April 2021, ahead of his 65th birthday the following May, he closed the stable but remained with the association as an advisor.
When asked about his most memorable experience during his career spanning more than half a century, he said: “Of course, there were many duties as a stablemaster. But now, it’s all about the shrine. I’m worried about the shrine.”
The shrine in question is the Nomi no Sukune Shrine in Sumida, Tokyo, which enshrines the deity of sumo. At the request of then-director Shibatayama (former yokozuna Daigo), Minezaki took over management of the shrine in May 2022. A man who deeply respects rituals and has a meticulous nature, he was the perfect fit for the role.
Although the shrine is managed by the Japan Sumo Association, during the COVID-19 pandemic it was left neglected, with the main hall’s doors closed. Minezaki still remembers the state it was in. “It had become a storage shed; I was absolutely stunned.” He brought in shrine utensils from Ise City, Mie Prefecture, and replaced them. Now, he visits the shrine every four or five days.
He wakes up at 4 a.m., leaves his home in Nerima, Tokyo, by car, arrives at the shrine around 5:30 a.m., opens the main hall, changes the offerings, and cleans the yard. The work takes three to four hours, filling three garbage bags with fallen leaves and debris. “At first, it was a total mess, and I was really scared.” He says it took about a year before he was satisfied with the maintenance.
Another reason for leaving home early in the morning is to avoid traffic jams, but more importantly, “I want to visit and pray at dawn. The deity resides here, protecting the association and everyone. I guess I just enjoy it—it lets me focus.”
Though it’s a small shrine just a five-minute walk from the Ryogoku Kokugikan, it has been transformed since Minezaki took over. Now tourists visit, and on New Year’s Eve, a line forms. Singer Masashi Sada visits the shrine before heading to the Kokugikan for his countdown event. Takayasu, who deeply respects Minezaki, is also a frequent visitor.
Starting next month, management of the Nomi no Sukune Shrine will be handed over to Shibatayama, the new person in charge. Minezaki, who has entrusted the role, plans to continue visiting the shrine to pay his respects.
Minezaki (former maegashira Misugiso) paying respects at Nomi no Sukune Shrine
In September 2025, yokozuna Onosato performing a ceremonial ring entry at the shrine
In May 2025, yokozuna Hoshoryu visiting the shrine for a ceremonial ring entry