sanyaku

Sanyaku (三役) is a term used in professional sumo to describe the top ranks of the makuuchi division on the official banzuke. The word literally translates as "three roles," though in modern usage it refers to the uppermost tier of rikishi above the maegashira ranks, consisting of four ranks in practice: yokozuna, ōzeki, sekiwake, and komusubi.

The sanyaku are the most elite competitors in a tournament. They form the core group that shapes the championship race and the overall ranking for the next banzuke. The exact number of wrestlers in sanyaku varies depending on recent promotions and retirements, but the group is always above the maegashira line.

Promotions to sanyaku are earned on the basis of performance in the previous tournament; strong records or a surge of wins may lead to promotion from maegashira to komusubi or sekiwake, and further to ōzeki or yokozuna. Demotions occur when a sanyaku wrestler posts weak results; otherwise a wrestler can be promoted back up in subsequent banzuke cycles. Yokozuna have a distinct status: they cannot be demoted in the same way as other sanyaku ranks and may be urged to retire if their performance declines.

Historically and in contemporary usage, sanyaku denotes the top tier of makuuchi and is a key concept in understanding ranking, strategy, and prestige in sumo.