 He reached the mandatory retirement age of 65 in May 2005 and became the curator of the Sumo Museum at the Ryōgoku Kokugikan.He still maintained close contact with his old stable, inviting "yokozuna" Hakuhō to train there in May 2008.In November 2009, he was one of 15 people to receive the Person of Cultural Merit award, becoming the first sumo wrestler to be so honoured.