Azumazeki beya folding?

[Moti Dichne]

There is talk of Azumazeki-beya folding, it was learned today. The heya is having difficulties finding a successor to the late Oyakata who passed away in December 2019. The current Oyakata is ex-Takamisakari, who took the position on condition that it was provisional for a year, as he himself says he is incapable mentally of carrying the burden of being the permanent Oyakata. That year is nearing an end and no successor is in sight. This could be the end of 35 years of existence of the heya, founded by Hawaiian ex-Takamiyama,  who pioneered the foreign invasion. The search is within the Takasago ichimon and ex-Asanowaka (Wakamatsu) was one of the candidates to take over but it didn't pan out so for the moment there are no other viable candidates, meaning that a closure of the heya is a real possibility. "We haven't actually decided to cease existing, but we are going in that direction," said someone in the know. If that happens, the six rikishi and the Oyakata are slated to move to Hakkaku beya. "Whatever I say, my words will be misconstrued.. Honestly, I have no comment. The basho is nearing and i don't want to say anything unnecessary,. These are trying times with the virus and the rikishi and myself are confined to the heya, but it is what it is and we know we could be affected any time. We are ready, " said ex-Takamisakari (current Azumazeki).