Dewanohana Kuniichi

Dewanohana Kuniichi (Japanese: 出羽ノ花國市, March 1, 1909 – May 30, 1987) real name Kuniichi Ichikawa (國一市川), was a Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Komatsu, Ishikawa (Japan). His highest rank was maegashira 1.[1] After retiring, he took the position of head coach at Dewanoumi stable, following the death of Tsunenohana from 1960 to 1968. He then was elected chairman (rijichō) of the Japan Sumo Association under the name of Musashigawa from 1968 to 1974.[2] Unlike most of his contemporaries, he had a business education background.

Dewanohana Kuniichi
出羽ノ花 國市
Personal information
BornKuniichi Ichikawa
(1909-03-01)1 March 1909
Komatsu, Ishikawa, Japan
Died30 May 1987(1987-05-30) (aged 78)
Height1.73 m (5 ft 8 in)
Weight110 kg (240 lb; 17 st)
Career
StableDewanoumi
Record96-104-32
DebutJanuary, 1925
Highest rankMaegashira 1 (January 1936)
RetiredMay 1940
Elder nameDewanoumi → Musashigawa
* Up to date as of June 2020.

Dewanoumi succession turmoil

Dewanohana became head coach at his stable because he was considered old enough for the responsibility, contrary to yokozuna Chiyonoyama who also sought the title. In 1965, his daughter married Sadanoyama, with the avowed objective of the latter of inheriting the Dewanoumi stable. This practice was common in the world of sumo, since kabu were traditionally inherited within the same family or between an apprentice and his master. However, it also denied Chiyonoyama's chance to inherit the Dewanoumi name, as he expected it being a yokozuna and senior coach (under the name Kokonoe) at the stable. Sadanoyama being formally recognized as heir in 1967 created a turmoil which resulted in Chiyonoyama willing to break off the Dewanoumi stable to found the Kokonoe stable with 10 wrestlers (including then ozeki Kitanofuji). Due to this founding breaking the unspoken rule of not allowing oyakata independence from the stable (dating back to Hitachiyama), Dewanohana permitted after a long debate the creation and expelled Chiyonoyama from the Dewanoumi ichimon.[3]

Dewanoumi (Dewanohana) offering sake to Sadanoyama during the celebration of his yusho (1961)

Japan sumo association chairmanship

In 1968, he is appointed rijisho following the sudden death of the previous head (Tokitsukaze oyakata, former Futabayama). He gave the kabu of Dewanoumi to his son-in-law Sadanoyama and took upon the name of Musashigawa. His presidency was marked by several attempts to modernize Sumo, including the introduction of video refereeing (1969)[4] or the renovation of Kuramae Kokugikan (1971).

Later life and death

In 1974, he handed over the chairmanship to Kasugano oyakata, and became a director to the board of the association. He continued to serve as an advisor and as the director of the Sumo Museum. After reaching retirement on February 28, 1976, he retired from the Japan Sumo Association, and died on May 30, 1987, at the age of 78.

After his death, the Japan Sumo Association held an association funeral on June 2 of the same year to honor his achievements, and on June 9 of the same year he was posthumously awarded the Order of the Sacred Treasure (Fifth Class).[5]

Career record

  • In 1927 Tokyo and Osaka sumo merged and four tournaments a year in Tokyo and other locations began to be held.
Dewanohana Kuniichi[6]
- Spring
Haru basho, varied
Summer
Natsu basho, varied
1925 (Maezumo) Shinjo
02
 
1926 East Jonokuchi #12
23
 
West Jonokuchi #5
42
 
Record given as win-loss-absent    Top Division Champion Top Division Runner-up Retired Lower Divisions

Sanshō key: F=Fighting spirit; O=Outstanding performance; T=Technique     Also shown: =Kinboshi; P=Playoff(s)
Divisions: Makuuchi Jūryō Makushita Sandanme Jonidan Jonokuchi

Makuuchi ranks: Yokozuna Ōzeki Sekiwake Komusubi Maegashira
- Spring
Haru basho, Tokyo
March
Sangatsu basho, varied
Summer
Natsu basho, Tokyo
October
Jūgatsu basho, varied
1927 East Jonidan #29
42
 
East Jonidan #29
51
 
West Sandanme #49
33
 
West Sandanme #31
33
 
1928 West Sandanme #37
24
 
West Sandanme #17
33
 
East Sandanme #41
42
 
East Sandanme #41
33
 
1929 West Sandanme #12
42
 
West Sandanme #12
42
 
West Makushita #25
33
 
West Makushita #25
42
 
1930 West Makushita #11
60
 
West Makushita #11
33
 
West Jūryō #9
29
 
West Jūryō #9
56
 
1931 East Makushita #3
33
 
East Makushita #3
33
 
East Makushita #5
51
 
East Makushita #5
24
 
1932 East Maegashira #5
008
 
East Maegashira #5
0010
 
East Jūryō #5
0011
 
East Jūryō #5
65
 
Record given as win-loss-absent    Top Division Champion Top Division Runner-up Retired Lower Divisions

Sanshō key: F=Fighting spirit; O=Outstanding performance; T=Technique     Also shown: =Kinboshi; P=Playoff(s)
Divisions: Makuuchi Jūryō Makushita Sandanme Jonidan Jonokuchi

Makuuchi ranks: Yokozuna Ōzeki Sekiwake Komusubi Maegashira
- Spring
Haru basho, Tokyo
Summer
Natsu basho, Tokyo
Autumn
Aki basho, Tokyo
1933 West Jūryō #11
83
 
East Jūryō #3
74
 
Not held
1934 West Maegashira #14
65
 
East Maegashira #10
65
 
Not held
1935 East Maegashira #7
65
 
West Maegashira #4
74
 
Not held
1936 East Maegashira #1
29
 
East Maegashira #9
56
 
Not held
1937 East Maegashira #10
56
 
West Maegashira #13
643
 
Not held
1938 West Maegashira #9
76
 
East Maegashira #8
58
 
Not held
1939 East Maegashira #13
76
 
West Maegashira #10
69
 
Not held
1940 West Maegashira #12
0411
 
West Maegashira #19
Retired
0015
Not held
Record given as win-loss-absent    Top Division Champion Top Division Runner-up Retired Lower Divisions

Key:d=Draw(s) (引分);   h=Hold(s) (預り)
Divisions: Makuuchi Jūryō Makushita Sandanme Jonidan Jonokuchi

Makuuchi ranks: Yokozuna Ōzeki Sekiwake Komusubi Maegashira

See also

References

  1. "Dewanohana Kuniichi Rikishi Information". Sumo Reference. Retrieved 30 September 2022.
  2. "The Gallery - Rijicho of the Kyokai". The Oyakata Gallery. Retrieved 25 August 2012.
  3. "ご存知ですか? きょう2月2日は九重部屋発足の日です". Bunshun Japan. Retrieved 30 September 2022.
  4. "ご存知ですか? きょう2月2日は九重部屋発足の日です". Nikkan Sports. 27 October 2016. Retrieved 30 September 2022.
  5. "~訪問:平成17年9月18日~". 善養寺東京都豊島区. Retrieved 30 September 2022.
  6. "Dewanohana Kuniichi Rikishi Information". Sumo Reference. Retrieved 25 September 2012.


This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.