noun
sponsors of rikishi or their stables
Sumo term for financial backers who support individual wrestlers or entire stables.
あの力士には地元の有力者がたにまちについている。
That rikishi has a prominent local figure as his sponsor.
General term for a supporter or patron, not limited to sumo.
The origin is uncertain; it may derive from a place name or a merchant name associated with early sumo patronage.