A tanimachi is a slang term in the sumo world for a person who provides financial support to a wrestler.
The term is also used in the entertainment world, such as in professional wrestling, kabuki, enka, and Takarazuka Revue.
The origin of the word tanimachi is said to come from a doctor who lived in Tanimachi, Osaka City, in the Meiji era and did not charge wrestlers for medical treatment because he loved sumo.
To become a tanimachi, one needs a large amount of assets and economic power, and the benefit of becoming a tanimachi is that one can show off one's close relationship with a wrestler to others.
In recent years, the role of tanimachi has been replaced by fan clubs and personal support groups.
Also, the influence that tanimachi have on wrestlers is not always positive.
For example, tanimachi may teach wrestlers how to enjoy nightlife or spoil them and make them neglect their training, which may have a negative impact on their performance and health.
Therefore, the Sumo Association and sumo stables pay attention to how they deal with tanimachi.