thumb|150px|Hideo, at the May 2008 tournament
A , often translated in English as "usher", "ring attendant", or "ring announcer", is an employee of the Japan Sumo Association, responsible for various tasks essential to the traditional running of professional sumo tournaments () in Japan. The are involved in building the (wrestling ring) or calling wrestlers () to the ring when it is their turn to fight. They are also entrusted with other roles, both administrative and artistic, in the service of the stable to which they are attached.
Established during the Heian period, the role of was not codified until the Tenmei era. Nicknamed "sumo's workhorses" by former Takamiyama, the are required to wear traditional clothing in public and are subject to a strict hierarchy in their organisation.
History
The status of did not appear until 1750. Before the appearance of this term to specifically designate the staff responsible for announcing the wrestlers, several different terms were used over time to designate the . During the Heian period, there was a role known as , who was responsible for presenting the wrestlers to the emperor and the nobility who attended the matches. During the Edo period, the role became more codified, the staff responsible for calling the wrestlers inherited the name , meaning 'preceding referees'. Later came the terms and , both of which also mean 'to announce something', to refer more specifically to the personnel announcing the wrestlers. Since in earlier times the would sit down on their heels in the middle of the ring when the wrestlers arrived and call them by name, they inherited another name: , meaning 'squatting referees'.
Career and ranking
The maximum number of allowed in the Sumo Association is 45. As of August 2025, there are 44 within the Sumo Association. and it is not uncommon for most to be wrestlers who have not managed to break through but are keen to stay in professional sumo. The current ranking system was created in July 1993 and consists of the following nine ranks: In September 2023, however, it was announced that Jirō (also from Kasugano stable), would be promoted by two ranks to become from December 25 of the same year, when the for the January 2024 tournament was released. On the same date, the role–vacant since November 2015–was taken up by Katsuyuki (Shibatayama stable). In October 2025, it was announced that Katsuyuki (Shibatayama stable) would be promoted to , and Shirō (Ōtake stable) would be elevated to , effective with the January 2026 tournament.
Calling the wrestlers
The 's most emblematic task is to call the wrestlers into the ring for their match of the day. Dressed traditionally and holding a simple white fan, they call the wrestlers by their , or ring-name, in a high-pitched and melodious way. The use of a fan was originally intended to prevent droplets of saliva from soiling the sacred surface of the . Junior also help senior during the ceremony. Less publicly, also take care of many small requests made by the Sumo Association executives on judging duty or guard duty in the corridors, such as fetching drinks or cigarettes. The kimono worn by the often displays sponsors' names in black characters and logo. each has seven different kimono which he wears during all 15 days of each .