Toyonishiki Kiichiro
Encyclopedia
Toyonishiki Kiichiro was a Japanese-American sumo
wrestler who joined the sport shortly before World War II
. He was one of the first foreign-born wrestlers to reach the top makuuchi
division.
, Colorado
, although he was to list Chikujo
, Fukuoka
as his birthplace on the banzuke
ranking sheets. He joined Dewanoumi stable
in January 1938. He had been introduced to the stable
by a relative during a visit to Japan
. Initially he knew nothing about sumo, assuming that the sand covered clay dohyo
was made of concrete.
He was the fifth Japanese-American in sumo and the first to reach elite sekitori
status. He never had a losing score in his eight years in sumo. He was promoted to the second juryo division in January 1943 and reached the top makuuchi
division in May 1944. He scored six wins against four losses, but this was to be his last tournament before being drafted
into the Japanese army
.
He still had American citizenship and had really wanted to fight for the United States
, but as he could not return to the US he agreed to change his citizenship at the urging of the Japan Sumo Association
. He adopted the Japanese name of Kiichiro Ozaki.
He survived the war but decided not to return to sumo, believing he could make a better living as an interpreter. He regained his US citizenship and in his later years ran a ryokan (inn) in Tokyo
with his wife.
Sumo
is a competitive full-contact sport where a wrestler attempts to force another wrestler out of a circular ring or to touch the ground with anything other than the soles of the feet. The sport originated in Japan, the only country where it is practiced professionally...
wrestler who joined the sport shortly before World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. He was one of the first foreign-born wrestlers to reach the top makuuchi
Makuuchi
or is the top division of professional sumo. Its size is fixed at 42 wrestlers , ordered into five ranks according to their ability as defined by their performance in previous tournaments....
division.
Career
He was born as Harley Ozaki in PiercePierce, Colorado
Pierce is a Statutory Town in Weld County, Colorado, United States. The population was 884 at the 2000 census. The town is a rural agricultural community located on the Colorado Eastern Plains along U.S. Highway 85 north of Greeley.-History:...
, Colorado
Colorado
Colorado is a U.S. state that encompasses much of the Rocky Mountains as well as the northeastern portion of the Colorado Plateau and the western edge of the Great Plains...
, although he was to list Chikujo
Chikujo, Fukuoka
is a town located in Chikujō District, Fukuoka, Japan. As of December 31, 2006, the town has an estimated population of 21,441. The total area is 119.34 km²-External links:*...
, Fukuoka
Fukuoka Prefecture
is a prefecture of Japan located on Kyūshū Island. The capital is the city of Fukuoka.- History :Fukuoka Prefecture includes the former provinces of Chikugo, Chikuzen, and Buzen....
as his birthplace on the banzuke
Banzuke
This article is about the banzuke document, for a list of wrestlers as ranked on an actual banzuke see List of active sumo wrestlersA , officially called is a document listing the rankings of professional sumo wrestlers published before each official tournament or honbasho. The term can also...
ranking sheets. He joined Dewanoumi stable
Dewanoumi stable
is a stable of sumo wrestlers. It has a long, prestigious history. Its current head coach is former sekiwake Washuyama. As of November 2007 it had 21 wrestlers....
in January 1938. He had been introduced to the stable
Heya
In sumo wrestling, a heya , usually translated into English as stable, is an organization of sumo wrestlers where they train and live. All wrestlers in professional sumo must belong to one. There are currently 49 heya , all but four of which belong to one of five ichimon...
by a relative during a visit to Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
. Initially he knew nothing about sumo, assuming that the sand covered clay dohyo
Dohyo
thumb|A dohyōThe dohyō is the ring in which sumo wrestling bouts are held. A modern dohyo is a circle of rice-straw bales 4.55 meters in diameter, mounted on a square platform of clay 6.7m on a side, and 34 to 60 cm high. The surface is covered by sand.A new dohyō is built prior to each...
was made of concrete.
He was the fifth Japanese-American in sumo and the first to reach elite sekitori
Sekitori
A sekitori is a sumo wrestler who is ranked in one of the top two professional divisions: makuuchi and juryo.Currently there are 70 rikishi in these divisions...
status. He never had a losing score in his eight years in sumo. He was promoted to the second juryo division in January 1943 and reached the top makuuchi
Makuuchi
or is the top division of professional sumo. Its size is fixed at 42 wrestlers , ordered into five ranks according to their ability as defined by their performance in previous tournaments....
division in May 1944. He scored six wins against four losses, but this was to be his last tournament before being drafted
Conscription
Conscription is the compulsory enlistment of people in some sort of national service, most often military service. Conscription dates back to antiquity and continues in some countries to the present day under various names...
into the Japanese army
Imperial Japanese Army
-Foundation:During the Meiji Restoration, the military forces loyal to the Emperor were samurai drawn primarily from the loyalist feudal domains of Satsuma and Chōshū...
.
He still had American citizenship and had really wanted to fight for the United States
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
, but as he could not return to the US he agreed to change his citizenship at the urging of the Japan Sumo Association
Japan Sumo Association
The is the body that operates and controls professional sumo wrestling in Japan under the jurisdiction of the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology. Rikishi , gyōji , tokoyama , and yobidashi , are all on the Association's payroll, but the organisation is run...
. He adopted the Japanese name of Kiichiro Ozaki.
He survived the war but decided not to return to sumo, believing he could make a better living as an interpreter. He regained his US citizenship and in his later years ran a ryokan (inn) in Tokyo
Tokyo
, ; officially , is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the largest metropolitan area of Japan. It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, and the home of the Japanese Imperial Family...
with his wife.
Record as sekitori
| Spring | Summer | Autumn | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1943 | West Juryo #14 (8-7) | East Juryo #9 (10-5) | no tournament held |
| 1944 | West Juryo #1 (8-7) | West Maegashira #20 (6-4) | In army |
| 1945 | no tournament held | In army | East Maegashira #17 (Retired) |