Wakashima Kyūzaburō

was a Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Aizu, Mutsu Province (now Aizuwakamatsu, Fukushima Prefecture). His highest rank was '' ōzeki''. As of January 1881, he is the only professional wrestler from this prefecture to have reached this rank.

History

Wakashima was born the second son of a lacquerware painter. He began sumo as an amateur, serving in dedication tournaments in shrines. He eventually decided to turn professional because he was scouted by former ''maegashira'' Omaki Kōji, the fifth generation Tateyama and joined the Tateyama stable, taking part in his first tournament in March 1862. He was a wrestler known for his pushing and thrusting techniques (''tsuki/oshi''), but he rose slowly up the rankings, probably due to his cautious wrestling style.

Shortly before his promotion to the ''jūryō'' division, he had to leave the Sumo Association briefly to serve in the Boshin War, alongside the Aizu Domain. After the war and the defeat of the domain, he came back to his stable and reached the ''makuuchi'' division in 1874. After this promotion, he quickly blossomed, and reached the status of ''san'yaku'' barely four years after his debut in this division, winning the equivalent of two tournaments in the process. However, as the ''yūshō'' system was not invented until 1909, these championships are now considered unofficial. In the January 1881 tournament, Wakashima faced Umegatani, who was then a dominant '' ōzeki'', recording a winning streak of 58 consecutive victories. Wakashima won the match and ended Umegatani's winning streak, nevertheless recording his only victory over the wrestler.

In the summer of 1881, during a '' jungyō'' (regional tour) in the Tōhoku region, Wakashima accompanied ''yokozuna'' Sakaigawa, who had just retired after the January tournament. As Sakaigawa could no longer perform his ring-entering ceremony, Wakashima took charge of the ceremonies. This decision was significant at the time because the Yoshida family had not granted its ''yokozuna'' licence to Wakashima, who could, however count on the support of the prefectural magistrate of his home prefecture.

Between 1882 and 1883, he became an elder under the name Tateyama, succeeding his former master at the head of his stable. He however continued to wrestle under the two licenses system and took the ''shikona'', or ring name, . He retired after the summer tournament of 1884, and devoted himself entirely to his stable as an elder. As a coach, he raised ''yokozuna'' Wakashima. He died on 6 January 1891, at the age of 48.

Career record

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

See also

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

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Kyuzaburo, Wakashima
1842 births
Japanese sumo wrestlers
Sumo people from Fukushima Prefecture
Ōzeki
1891 deaths