On this page you can find information to help with common tegata questions.
Why do some tegata have stamps?
Zero/One Stamp – Made at Sekitori
While most Juryo or Makuuchi tegata have no stamps, Sekitori tegata can come with their names stamped (generally lower left). These are not common – and can be to mark a specific occasion with the stable sending these to supporters to commemorate something (ie promotion to Makuuchi or Juryo).
Two Stamps – Made at Ozeki
Tegata made while a rikishi is at Ozeki rank will have their name stamped bottom left, and the stamp marking ozeki top right.
Three Stamps – Made at Yokozuna
Tegata made while a rikishi is at Yokozuna rank will have the stamp marking Yokozuna top right, their name is stamped bottom left, as is their Yokozuna number stamp (Terunofuji has 73rd Yokozuna above his name)
Why do the stamps on my tegata look different to other examples online?
Hakuho – example 1
Hakuho – example 2
The three Hakuho tegata span a stamp change – example 2 & 3 have stamps with thinner lines, example 1 is more stylised.
Hakuho – example 3
Do rikishi signatures change over time?
Ura early (2017 era)
Ura circa 2022
The three Ura tegata above show changes over time to how he writes his shikona. This can also vary based on how rushed a rikishi might be when trying to get tegata made.
Ura current (2024)
How do I know if a tegata authentic or not?
If you are looking at a tegata online to buy, you can only go off the images themselves. Check this site or google the rikishi name in kanji, followed by 手形 (tegata) – then click images. Check as many as you can find – if one is identical, it’s printed.
The exact hand / finger placement and pressure, stamp placement and pressure, and shikona as a combined total tegata will never be repeated. Things like ink splatter (see Mitakeumi below), of finger roll / bounce (Takayasu ring finger below) also indicate authenticity. CHECK THE REAR SIDE (if you can) – as they are made and stacked quickly, ink from one can transfer to the next if made and stacked quickly. You can always post an image to the tegata collectors facebook page and ask the community 🙂
From approx 1970 through 1990s printed tegata also featured stamps – and many people simply assume the stamps mean they must be authentic. A good online search of images is your friend.
Are authentic tegata sold by stables or the JSA?
No. While the JSA sell printed copies of popular Makuuchi rikishi tegata at their retail store(s), authentic rikishi made tegata are given by stables to supporters as gifts (ie. for being a member of the stable or individual rikishi supporters associations, or for financial / product contributions to the stable).
Do all rikishi make tegata?
Tegata can only be made once a rikishi reaches the salaried ranks. Once they retire, they no longer produce tegata. The more popular they are, and the longer their sekitori career the more tegata “should” be in circulation.
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