Satonofuji Hisashi

{{Short description|Japanese professional sumo wrestler}} {{hatnote|In this Japanese shikona name, the surname is Satonofuji.}} {{Infobox sumo wrestler | name = Satonofuji Hisashi | native_name = 聡ノ富士久志 | image = Sumo bow-twirling ceremony May 2014 004 (cropped).jpg | caption = Satonofuji performing the ''yumitori-shiki'' in May 2014 | birth_name = Hisashi Matsuoka | birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1977|04|15}} | birth_place = Yoshioka, Gunma, Japan | height = {{height|meters=1.71}} | weight = {{convert|103.9|kg|lb|abbr=on}} | heya = Isegahama | record = 570-626-21 | debut = January 1996 | highestrank = Makushita 55 | retireddate = May 2025 | yushos = | prizes = | goldstars = | update = 24 May 2025 }}

{{nihongo|'''Satonofuji Hisashi'''|聡ノ富士久志||born 15 April 1977 as '''Hisashi Matsuoka''' (松岡久志, ''Matsuoka Hisashi'')|lead=yes}} is a Japanese former professional sumo wrestler from Gunma Prefecture. He made his debut in 1996 at the age of eighteen. His highest rank was ''makushita'' 55. He wrestled for Isegahama stable, where he was its oldest member and responsible for preparing the meals at the time of his retirement.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nikkansports.com/battle/sumo/news/202404080001114.html|title=新生伊勢ケ浜部屋に宝富士「めちゃくちゃ活気」最年長46歳聡ノ富士「１食に炊く米は６升に」|date=9 April 2024|publisher=Nikkan Sports|access-date=9 April 2024|language=ja}}</ref>

Satonofuji is noted for having performed the {{translit|ja|yumitori-shiki}} (bow-twirling ceremony) 653 times, more than any other wrestler in sumo history.<ref name=ns130921>{{cite web |url=https://www.nikkansports.com/battle/sumo/news/202109130000651.html|title=弓取り力士の担当力士が急きょ交代、将豊竜が初日取組で肩負傷のため|date=13 September 2021|publisher=Nikkan Sports|access-date=24 May 2023|language=ja}}</ref><ref name=as150921>{{cite web |url=https://www.asahi.com/articles/ASP9H6S67P9HUTQP01F.html|title=弓取り式で急きょ代役新横綱の兄弟子、44歳ベテランが「再登板」|date=15 September 2021|publisher=Asahi Shimbun|access-date=24 May 2023|language=ja}}</ref><ref name=ms260921>{{cite web |url=https://mainichi.jp/articles/20210926/k00/00m/050/175000c|title=弓取りのベテラン力士・聡ノ富士、弟弟子・照ノ富士Vにしみじみ|date=26 September 2021|publisher=Mainichi Shimbun|access-date=24 May 2023|language=ja|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210926101226/https://mainichi.jp/articles/20210926/k00/00m/050/175000c|archive-date=26 September 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.47news.jp/12625167.html|title=弓取り式最多の力士が引退表明 48歳、序二段の聡ノ富士|date=24 May 2025|publisher=Kyodo News|access-date=24 May 2025}}</ref> He is the oldest sumo wrestler to perform the ceremony since the Shōwa era.<ref name=as150921/> After the conclusion of the Nagoya 2024 tournament he surpassed Edonohana, who had performed the ceremony 637 times.<ref name=js250824>{{cite web |url=https://www.jomo-news.co.jp/articles/-/520308|title=弓取り歴代最多の648回聡ノ富士（群馬・吉岡町出身）大相撲名古屋場所で樹立「所作の一つ一つに意味」|date=25 August 2024|publisher=Jomo Shimbun|access-date=25 August 2024|language=ja}}</ref>

==Career== Born in the town of Yoshioka, Gunma, Satonofuji debuted in January 1996 under the ring name {{nihongo|'''Asatofuji'''|安聡富士}}. He was promoted to the third-highest ''makushita'' division in September 2005, but was relegated in the following tournament. Since then, he has never been promoted higher than ''sandanme''. In March 2008 he changed his ring name to '''Satonofuji'''.

Satonofuji began to perform the ''yumitori-shiki'' in January 2013, which is presented following the final top division match of every Grand Sumo Tournament day and typically performed by a lower-division wrestler in the same stable as a ''yokozuna''.<ref name=ms260921/> At that time, stablemate Harumafuji–seven years his junior–had recently been promoted to the top rank. Satonofuji stopped performing the ceremony a few tournaments after Harumafuji retired, but resumed in September 2021. Although his return coincided with the promotion of fellow Isegahama wrestler Terunofuji to the ''yokozuna'' rank, Satonofuji had stepped in with little notice after another lower-division wrestler scheduled to perform the ceremony, {{ill|Shōhōryū Shōta|lt=Shōhōryū|ja|将豊竜将太}}, injured his shoulder in a match against Ōshōumi.<ref name=ns130921/> Upon his return to the role, Satonofuji was quoted as saying that he was too old to show his body.<ref name=ns160921>{{cite web |url=https://www.nikkansports.com/battle/column/sumo/news/202109160000076.html|title=44歳聡ノ富士２人の弟弟子の横綱が現役の時に弓取り式「最後まで」|date=16 September 2021|publisher=Nikkan Sports|access-date=24 May 2023|language=ja}}</ref> At the age of 44, he became the oldest performer of the ceremony since the Shōwa era.<ref name=as150921/>

In a November 2022 interview, Satonofuji said in regard to the ''yumitori-shiki'' that "every single gesture has a meaning, so I put my heart into it."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.yomiuri.co.jp/sports/sumo/20221121-OYT1T50300/|title=［知る国技］弓取り式|date=22 November 2022|publisher=Yomiuri Shimbun|access-date=24 May 2023|language=ja}}</ref>

During the July 2023 tournament Satonofuji withdrew from competition, and so the ''yumitori-shiki'' duties temporarily went to then-''sandanme'' wrestler Yuki from the same stable as ''ōzeki'' Kirishima.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nikkansports.com/battle/sumo/news/202307180001174.html|title=弓取り式で三段目の勇輝が"緊急登板"「手汗すごくて、80点くらいです」本来の聡ノ富士が休場|date=18 July 2023|publisher=Nikkan Sports|access-date=20 July 2023|language=ja}}</ref> In September 2023 Satonofuji, demoted to ''jonokuchi'' for the first time since his debut in 1996, performed the ''yumitori-shiki'' for the first two days of the tournament until Yuki resumed the duties.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://mainichi.jp/articles/20230912/k00/00m/050/182000c|title=急きょ弓取り式に登場大相撲の幕下・勇輝は多忙な「四刀流」|date=12 September 2023|publisher=Mainichi Shimbun|access-date=15 September 2023|language=ja|url-access=subscription}}</ref> In 2024 Satonofuji returned to ''yumitori'' duties,<ref>{{cite magazine |date=February 2024|title=相撲部屋聞き書き帖 |trans-title=Sumo stable interview notes|magazine=相撲|trans-magazine=Sumo|publisher=Baseball Magazine Sha|pages=89}}</ref> usually performing the ceremony unless Terunofuji withdrew from a tournament.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.sponichi.co.jp/sports/news/2024/05/13/kiji/20240513s00005000599000c.html|title=朝乃若弓取りに急きょ登場照ノ富士の休場で指名高砂部屋OB皇牙に続く「弓取り関取」目指す|date=13 May 2024|publisher=Sports Nippon|access-date=13 May 2024|language=ja}}</ref>

Satonofuji last performed the {{Transliteration|ja|yumitori-shiki}} on 16 January 2025, the day that Terunofuji withdrew from the January 2025 tournament; the {{Transliteration|ja|yokozuna}} officially retired the next day. Satonofuji told reporters he had sensed on the day of Terunofuji's withdrawal that he could be performing his last {{Transliteration|ja|yumitori-shiki}} (since his stable would no longer have a top-ranked wrestler). Upon learning of the retirement, Satonofuji praised Terunofuji for his hard work, noting that he, like Terunofuji, also dropped down to the {{Transliteration|ja|jonidan}} division before rising up again. He also reflected on his time as the performer of the {{Transliteration|ja|yumitori-shiki}}, expressing his thanks for being able to set a record for the performances by being an example for other wrestlers, injured wrestlers, his stable and the Japan Sumo Association.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://hochi.news/articles/20250117-OHT1T51069.html|title=横綱・照ノ富士は引退発表の朝、部屋で感謝を伝える弓取りを務めた聡ノ富士「僕も横綱のおかげで記録をつくれた」|date=17 January 2025|publisher=Sports Hochi|access-date=17 January 2025|language=ja}}</ref>

Following his last match at the May 2025 tournament at the rank of {{translit|ja|jonidan}} 100, Satonofuji announced his retirement from professional sumo, concluding a career spanning nearly three decades. The retirement coincided with the final tournament for his stablemaster Isegahama (the 63rd {{translit|ja|yokozuna}} Asahifuji), who reached sumo's mandatory retirement age in July 2025. Satonofuji said that he had considered retiring on two occasions following surgery for retinal detachment, but continued on because of his love for sumo. He plans to work in the food and beverage industry in Tokyo after his retirement.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nikkansports.com/battle/sumo/news/202505240000273.html|title=48歳の聡ノ富士が引退「もうおなかいっぱい」弓取り式を史上最多回数こなした個性派|lang=ja|date=24 May 2025|publisher=Nikkan Sports|access-date=24 May 2025}}</ref>

==Career record== {{Sumo record box start|Satonofuji Hisashi}} {{Sumo record year start link|1996}} {{Basho|MAEZUMOU}} {{Basho|jk|50|e|5|2}} {{Basho|jo|159|w|3|4}} {{Basho|jo|178|e|6|1}} {{Basho|jo|82|e|2|5}} {{Basho|jo|114|e|5|2}} {{Sumo record year end}} {{Sumo record year start link|1997}} {{Basho|jo|67|e|4|3}} {{Basho|jo|44|e|4|3}} {{Basho|jo|21|e|4|3}} {{Basho|jo|1|w|4|3}} {{Basho|sa|82|e|3|4}} {{Basho|sa|99|w|0|7}} {{Sumo record year end}} {{Sumo record year start link|1998}} {{Basho|jo|44|e|4|3}} {{Basho|jo|17|w|4|3}} {{Basho|sa|99|e|4|3}} {{Basho|sa|76|w|1|1|5}} {{Basho|jo|9|w|3|4}} {{Basho|jo|20|e|3|4}} {{Sumo record year end}} {{Sumo record year start link|1999}} {{Basho|jo|39|w|4|3}} {{Basho|jo|18|w|2|5}} {{Basho|jo|47|w|5|2}} {{Basho|jo|8|e|5|2}} {{Basho|sa|74|e|1|4|2}} {{Basho|jo|1|w|4|3}} {{Sumo record year end}} {{Sumo record year start link|2000}} {{Basho|sa|83|w|4|3}} {{Basho|sa|66|w|2|5}} {{Basho|sa|92|e|5|2}} {{Basho|sa|56|w|5|2}} {{Basho|sa|30|e|4|3}} {{Basho|sa|15|e|3|4}} {{Sumo record year end}} {{Sumo record year start link|2001}} {{Basho|sa|27|w|1|6}} {{Basho|sa|58|w|3|4}} {{Basho|sa|71|w|5|2}} {{Basho|sa|37|w|3|4}} {{Basho|sa|54|e|4|3}} {{Basho|sa|43|w|2|5}} {{Sumo record year end}} {{Sumo record year start link|2002}} {{Basho|sa|68|e|4|3}} {{Basho|sa|54|e|4|3}} {{Basho|sa|38|w|2|5}} {{Basho|sa|61|e|4|3}} {{Basho|sa|46|e|2|5}} {{Basho|sa|69|w|0|2|5}} {{Sumo record year end}} {{Sumo record year start link|2003}} {{Basho|jo|14|w|5|2}} {{Basho|sa|80|e|3|4}} {{Basho|jo|1|w|2|5}} {{Basho|jo|32|e|6|1}} {{Basho|sa|68|w|3|4}} {{Basho|sa|84|w|3|4}} {{Sumo record year end}} {{Sumo record year start link|2004}} {{Basho|sa|98|w|4|3}} {{Basho|sa|80|e|4|3}} {{Basho|sa|64|e|4|3}} {{Basho|sa|47|w|3|4}} {{Basho|sa|65|e|2|5}} {{Basho|sa|86|e|4|3}} {{Sumo record year end}} {{Sumo record year start link|2005}} {{Basho|sa|67|w|5|2}} {{Basho|sa|39|w|4|3}} {{Basho|sa|27|e|3|4}} {{Basho|sa|40|e|6|1}} {{Basho|ma|55|e|1|6}} {{Basho|sa|26|w|2|5}} {{Sumo record year end}} {{Sumo record year start link|2006}} {{Basho|sa|52|e|4|3}} {{Basho|sa|37|w|4|3}} {{Basho|sa|23|w|2|5}} {{Basho|sa|48|w|4|3}} {{Basho|sa|32|w|3|4}} {{Basho|sa|45|w|3|4}} {{Sumo record year end}} {{Sumo record year start link|2007}} {{Basho|sa|60|w|3|4}} {{Basho|sa|77|e|3|4}} {{Basho|sa|94|w|3|4}} {{Basho|jo|3|w|5|2}} {{Basho|sa|72|w|4|3}} {{Basho|sa|51|w|2|5}} {{Sumo record year end}} {{Sumo record year start link|2008}} {{Basho|sa|73|e|4|3}} {{Basho|sa|52|w|3|4}} {{Basho|sa|66|e|3|4}} {{Basho|sa|80|e|4|3}} {{Basho|sa|61|e|3|4}} {{Basho|sa|73|e|4|3}} {{Sumo record year end}} {{Sumo record year start link|2009}} {{Basho|sa|55|e|2|5}} {{Basho|sa|81|e|3|4}} {{Basho|sa|97|w|4|3}} {{Basho|sa|77|w|4|3}} {{Basho|sa|61|w|3|4}} {{Basho|sa|74|w|4|3}} {{Sumo record year end}} {{Sumo record year start link|2010}} {{Basho|KYUJO|rank=sa|r-no=59|tozai=e}} {{Basho|jo|19|w|6|1}} {{Basho|sa|57|e|3|4}} {{Basho|sa|72|w|4|3}} {{Basho|sa|53|w|5|2}} {{Basho|sa|26|e|2|5}} {{Sumo record year end}} {{Sumo record year start link|2011}} {{Basho|sa|54|w|2|5}} {{Basho|CANCELLED|absent=0| Match fixing investigation|rank=sa|r-no=81|tozai=w}} {{Basho|sa|81|w|4|3}} {{Basho|sa|53|e|2|5}} {{Basho|sa|78|e|3|4}} {{Basho|sa|95|e|3|4}} {{Sumo record year end}} {{Sumo record year start link|2012}} {{Basho|jo|15|w|2|5}} {{Basho|jo|50|e|3|4}} {{Basho|jo|73|w|7|0|P}} {{Basho|sa|73|e|4|3}} {{Basho|sa|56|e|4|3}} {{Basho|sa|40|w|3|4}} {{Sumo record year end}} {{Sumo record year start link|2013}} {{Basho|sa|55|w|2|5}} {{Basho|sa|73|w|2|5}} {{Basho|jo|7|e|3|4}} {{Basho|jo|27|e|4|3}} {{Basho|jo|8|w|5|2}} {{Basho|sa|77|e|3|4}} {{Sumo record year end}} {{Sumo record year start link|2014}} {{Basho|sa|92|e|3|4}} {{Basho|jo|4|e|3|4}} {{Basho|jo|27|e|3|4}} {{Basho|jo|49|w|4|3}} {{Basho|jo|25|w|4|3}} {{Basho|jo|4|e|3|4}} {{Sumo record year end}} {{Sumo record year start link|2015}} {{Basho|jo|26|e|3|4}} {{Basho|jo|44|w|5|2}} {{Basho|jo|8|w|4|3}} {{Basho|sa|88|w|3|4}} {{Basho|jo|13|w|5|2}} {{Basho|sa|78|e|2|5}} {{Sumo record year end}} {{Sumo record year start link|2016}} {{Basho|jo|5|e|4|3}} {{Basho|sa|85|e|3|4}} {{Basho|jo|4|w|3|4}} {{Basho|jo|25|w|5|2}} {{Basho|sa|88|w|3|4}} {{Basho|jo|5|w|3|4}} {{Sumo record year end}} {{Sumo record year start link|2017}} {{Basho|jo|26|w|4|3}} {{Basho|jo|3|e|4|3}} {{Basho|sa|83|e|2|5}} {{Basho|jo|16|w|3|4}} {{Basho|jo|53|e|4|3}} {{Basho|jo|25|w|4|3}} {{Sumo record year end}} {{Sumo record year start link|2018}} {{Basho|jo|3|e|2|5}} {{Basho|jo|25|e|3|4}} {{Basho|jo|50|e|3|4}} {{Basho|jo|73|w|3|4}} {{Basho|jo|100|e|5|2}} {{Basho|jo|54|w|3|4}} {{Sumo record year end}} {{Sumo record year start link|2019}} {{Basho|jo|77|e|5|2}} {{Basho|jo|31|e|2|5}} {{Basho|jo|66|w|4|3}} {{Basho|jo|37|e|2|5}} {{Basho|jo|79|w|2|5}} {{Basho|jo|44|w|2|5}} {{Sumo record year end}} {{Sumo record year start link|2020}} {{Basho|jo|87|e|5|2}} {{Basho|jo|39|w|2|5}} {{Basho|CANCELLED|rank=jo|r-no=82|tozai=w|absent=0| State of Emergency }} {{Basho|jo|82|w|3|4}} {{Basho|jo|92|e|5|2}} {{Basho|jo|45|w|2|5}} {{Sumo record year end}} {{Sumo record year start link|2021}} {{Basho|jo|86|w|5|2}} {{Basho|jo|39|e|2|5}} {{Basho|jo|70|w|3|4}} {{Basho|jo|78|e|4|3}} {{Basho|jo|45|e|2|5}} {{Basho|jo|77|w|4|3}} {{Sumo record year end}} {{Sumo record year start link|2022}} {{Basho|jo|43|w|2|5}} {{Basho|jo|71|e|3|4}} {{Basho|jo|91|w|4|3}} {{Basho|jo|56|w|3|4}} {{Basho|jo|78|e|3|4}} {{Basho|jo|89|e|3|4}} {{Sumo record year end}} {{Sumo record year start link|2023}} {{Basho|jo|91|w|4|3}} {{Basho|jo|57|w|2|5}} {{Basho|jo|85|e|2|5}} {{Basho|jo|102|e|1|4|2}} {{Basho|jk|8|e|4|3}} {{Basho|jo|76|w|2|5}} {{Sumo record year end}} {{Sumo record year start link|2024}} {{Basho|jo|93|e|2|5}} {{Basho|jo|91|w|2|5}} {{Basho|jo|93|e|3|4}} {{Basho|jo|95|w|1|6}} {{Basho|jo|98|e|2|5}} {{Basho|jk|4|e|4|3}} {{Sumo record year end}} {{Sumo record year start link|2025}} {{Basho|jo|72|e|2|5}} {{Basho|jo|89|w|2|5}} {{Basho|INTAI|rank=jo|r-no=100|tozai=w|win=2|loss=5}} {{Basho}} {{Basho}} {{Basho}} {{Sumo record year end}} {{Sumo record box end}}

==References== {{reflist}}

==External links== *{{goo Sumo|1407}}

Category:1977 births Category:Living people Category:Japanese sumo wrestlers Category:Sumo wrestlers from Gunma Prefecture