Ichinoya Tōtarō

was a Japanese sumo wrestler from Minamitsugaru District, Aomori Prefecture (now Inakadate, Aomori), Japan. His highest rank was '' ōzeki''. He is the third ''ōzeki'' from Aomori Prefecture and the first promoted at this rank in 55 years, after Akitsukaze's promotion in 1834.

Career

Ichinoya became the disciple of Takasago Uragorō, the founder of the current incarnation of Takasago stable, in May 1880. In May 1883, he was promoted to sumo's highest division, ''makuuchi'', after only 6 tournaments in the lower divisions. Since his ascension to this division, there has always been at least one wrestler from Aomori prefecture in the ''makuuchi'' division. In his first tournament in this division, he won the championship. Ichinoya rose rapidly through the ranks, reaching rank of ''komusubi'' in 1887 for the January tournament. Gaining a reputation as a prodigy, he was considered along with Nishinoumi I and Ōdate, as one of the , meaning "The Takasago Trio", to emphasize the potential of these three wrestlers. At this tournament, he won his second championship. However, as the ''yūshō'' system was not introduced until 1909, these championship victories are now considered unofficial. After this championship, he was promoted directly to the rank of ''sekiwake'' and, following two good tournaments in 1888, he was promoted to the second-highest rank in professional sumo, ''ōzeki''. Ichinoya's ''ōzeki'' career, however, only lasted two tournaments and he was demoted back to ''sekiwake'' for the January 1890 tournament. Following his demotion, he continued to wrestle in the ''san'yaku'' ranks for another three years before retiring as a wrestler after the May 1892 tournament.

After retiring, he did not remain in the Sumo Association, but returned to his homeprefecture of Aomori and toured around the countryside, leading a local sumo group, living to the age of 66. Many people admired Ichinoya and Takasago stable began to become popular and well received by younger generations. For this reason, he was nicknamed , meaning 'Founder of the Aomori Sumo Kingdom', since he is credited in part with the importance of the prefecture's wrestlers in the highest ranks of the sport.

In 1953, his grandson (Ryōichi Sudo) also became a professional wrestler within Kasugano stable. He adopted his grandfather's ''shikona'', or ring name, in March 1957 and became . Promoted to ''makuuchi'' in 1961, his highest rank was ''maegashira'' 4.

Top division record

*''The actual time the tournaments were held during the year in this period often varied.''

''*Championships for the best record in a tournament were not recognized or awarded before the 1909 summer tournament, and the unofficial championships above are historically conferred. For more information, see yūshō.''

See also

*Glossary of sumo terms
*List of past sumo wrestlers
*List of ōzeki

Notes

:1. As of September 2023, 140 years later, the record still stands with Takarafuji, Ōnoshō and Nishikifuji still competing in sumo's top division.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Ichinoya Tōtarō I
1856 births
Japanese sumo wrestlers
Ōzeki
Sumo people from Aomori Prefecture
1923 deaths