rule prohibiting match-ups between wrestlers from the same stable
A sumo tournament rule that prevents wrestlers from the same heya (stable) from facing each other, except in playoffs or special circumstances.
Due to the rule prohibiting match-ups between wrestlers from the same stable, bouts between stablemates are not scheduled.
Compound of 部屋 (heya, 'stable'), 別 (betsu, 'by, separate'), and 総当り (sōatari, 'round-robin'). Literally 'round-robin by stable', referring to the sumo tournament scheduling rule.