Asekitori( quan thủ ) is arikishi( lực sĩ, sumo wrestler) who is ranked in one of the top two professional divisions:makuuchiandjūryō.[1]
The name literally translates to having taken the barrier, as only a relatively small fraction of those who enter professional sumo achievesekitoristatus.
Currently there are 70rikishiin these divisions. The benefits of being asekitoricompared to lower ranked wrestlers are significant and include:
to receive a salary and bonus (those in the lower divisions merely receive an allowance)
to have one's own supporters' club
to wear high quality men'skimonoand other items of attire
The item of memorabilia most often associated with sumo wrestling istegata(literally hand shape).[2]Onlysekitoriare allowed to make them for fans. They could be equated to the sumo version of anautograph.Tegataconsist of a print of a wrestler's hand using black or red ink accompanied by his ring name written in calligraphic style by the wrestler himself. Originaltegataare given out to fans and members of one's supporter club. Printed copies oftegatacan also be bought inexpensively.
When a wrestler achievessekitoristatus, he is allowed to have a fan/supporter club called akōenkaiif he has enough popularity. This is in addition tokōenkaiassociated with his sumo stable. These clubs often pool their money to buy the wrestler such items as his decorative apron called akeshō-mawashi.For their support, supporter club members expect and receive access to the wrestlers and are given invitations to post-tournament parties and other events where they will have direct contact with them.
