The Secret World of Tsukebito

Tsukebito are lower-division wrestlers who serve as personal attendants to higher-ranked sekitori (Makuuchi or Juryo wrestlers). While they train to become champions themselves, their daily reality is one of service, discipline, and tradition.

Who Participates?

Tsukebito are typically wrestlers from the Jonokuchi up to Makushita ranks. Each sekitori brings 1–2 attendants on tour, but top-ranked Ozeki or Yokozuna require a much larger entourage—often up to 10 people.

These aren't random assignments. They are often skilled attendants who have built a bond with their senior, or specialists like Kasugaryu (Hakuho's famous attendant) who are experts in ceremonial duties.

A Day in the Life: Daily Duties

The life of a tsukebito is grueling. Their duties span from the mundane to the sacred, allowing the Yokozuna to focus 100% of their energy on sumo.

Household & Personal Care

• Bath Prep: Scrubbing the senior's back, adjusting water temperature perfectly, and managing towels.
• Cooking: Preparing the massive chanko nabe stews and serving meals.
• Dressing: Assisting with the heavy mawashi belt and formal kimono/yukata.

Administrative Tasks

For foreign Yokozuna especially, attendants often handle banking, bill payments, scheduling, and managing fan mail.

Ceremonial Duties

In the ring, they act as tachimochi (sword-bearer) or tsuyuharai (dew sweeper) during the sacred ring-entering ceremony. These roles are high-pressure honors; a mistake here is witnessed by thousands.

How are they selected?

The stablemaster (oyakata) holds the final authority. Assignments are based on the stable's hierarchy and needs. However, human relationships play a role—a senior wrestler might request a specific junior they trust, or a junior might volunteer to learn from a specific mentor.

It is a system of strict hierarchy, but also mentorship. Today's tsukebito is learning the habits of excellence that might make him tomorrow's Yokozuna.