Ichimon and Sumō-beya

An Ichimon is a group of related heya. There are six groups: Dewanoumi, Nishonoseki, Takasago, Tokitsukaze, Isegahama, and Takanohana. Until 1965, wrestlers from the same ichimon did not fight each other in tournament competition.

In sumo wrestling, a heya (部屋^?, lit. "room"; here as sumō-beya, usually translated into English as stable or training quarters^[1]) is an organization of sumo wrestlers where they train and live. All wrestlers in professional sumo must belong to one. There are currently 47 heya (as of November 2012), all but four of which belong to one of five ichimon (groupings of heya).

They vary in size, with the largest heya having over thirty wrestlers and smallest just two. Most heya are based in and around the Ryōgoku district of Tokyo, sumo's traditional heartland, although the high price of land has led to some newer heya being built in other parts of Tokyo or its suburbs.

Most heya have a network of scouts, who may be former wrestlers themselves, friends of the head coach, or supporters of the heya, who keep a look out for any powerful or athletic young men and follow the results of local sumo (and judo) competitions. Most new recruits join at the age of 15 or 16, straight from junior high school.

A wrestler is expected to stay with the heya he joins until the end of his career. There is no transfer system in sumo. The only exception is if the coach who originally scouted him leaves to found a new heya, in which case he might be permitted to follow him.

Also attached to a heya are tokoyama (hairdressers), gyōji (referees), and yobidashi (ushers).

Ryōgoku (両国^?) is a neighborhood in Sumida, Tokyo. It is regarded as the heartland of professional sumo. Most training stables or heya are based there.