Hitachiyama Taniemon Facts for Kids

"Hitachiyama" redirects here. For his master, see Hitachiyama Torakichi.

In this Japanese shikona name, the surname is Hitachiyama.

Quick facts for kids Hitachiyama Taniemon
常陸山谷右衞門
Hitachiyama in 1910
Personal information
Born	Ichige Tani (1874-01-19)January 19, 1874 Mito, Ibaragi, Japan
Died	June 19, 1922(1922-06-19) (aged 48)
Height	1.74 m (5 ft 8+1⁄2 in)
Weight	146 kg (322 lb)
Career
Stable	Dewanoumi
Record	150-15-131 22draws-2holds(Makuuchi)
Debut	June, 1892
Highest rank	Yokozuna (June, 1903)
Retired	May, 1914
Championships	1 (Makuuchi, official) 7 (Makuuchi, unofficial)
* Up to date as of September 2007.

Hitachiyama Taniemon (常陸山谷右衞門, January 19, 1874 – June 19, 1922) was a famous Japanese professional sumo wrestler. He was the 19th yokozuna, which is the highest rank in sumo. He held this title from 1903 to 1914.

Hitachiyama was known for his amazing strength in the sumo ring. But he was also famous for helping to make sumo popular around the world. He even trained many other wrestlers who became champions. People called him "Kakusei," which means "sumo saint," because he was so respected.

Becoming a Sumo Star
A Champion and Ambassador for Sumo
Later Years and Legacy
Images for kids
See also

Becoming a Sumo Star

Hitachiyama in New York, 1907

Hitachiyama was born as Ichige Tani on January 19, 1874. His family was once a samurai family, but they lost their money. Young Tani moved to Tokyo and lived with his uncle.

One day, his uncle saw how strong Tani was. He could lift a huge rock that weighed about 217 kilograms (479 pounds)! His uncle told him he should become a sumo wrestler. Even though his father didn't like the idea, Tani joined the Dewanoumi stable in 1890.

He started his professional sumo career in June 1892. After a short time away from sumo, he returned in 1896 much stronger. He won 32 matches in a row! In January 1899, he won his first championship in the top makuuchi division.

By January 1901, he was promoted to ōzeki, which is the second-highest rank. In May 1903, he defeated another great ōzeki, Umegatani Tōtarō II. This win helped him become a yokozuna. Hitachiyama wanted Umegatani to be promoted too. So, both of them became yokozuna together in June 1903. This was a special time because three yokozuna were active at once for the first time.

A Champion and Ambassador for Sumo

Hitachiyama in Chicago, 1907

Hitachiyama was incredibly dominant. He once won 27 matches in a row. After losing one match, he started another winning streak of 32 bouts! But for him, making sumo more respected was even more important than just winning.

In 1907, he traveled to the USA and Europe. He even met President Theodore Roosevelt! Hitachiyama performed the yokozuna dohyō-iri (the special ring-entering ceremony) right there in the White House. Even though he missed a tournament because of his trip, no one was upset. They saw him as a pioneer who was helping sumo grow.

Hitachiyama and Umegatani

After his long journey, he was still a strong wrestler. He helped build the first Ryōgoku Kokugikan, which is a famous sumo arena. He won a title there when it opened in 1909.

In the top makuuchi division, Hitachiyama won 150 matches and lost only 15. This means he won 90.9% of his fights! He is the last yokozuna to have such a high winning percentage. He was known for waiting for his opponent to attack first, then using his powerful techniques. His style is still seen as a perfect example for a yokozuna.

He also brought the ideas of bushidō (the samurai code of honor) into sumo. This helped raise the social status of sumo wrestlers. He also changed the yokozuna dohyō-iri ceremony. He would hold out both arms after a clap, and then raise only his right arm after stomping his feet.

Later Years and Legacy

Statue of Hitachiyama in Nagahama, Shiga

Hitachiyama retired from sumo in May 1914. After retiring, he became the head coach of Dewanoumi stable. When he first joined, it was a small stable. But even while he was still wrestling, he trained many other wrestlers.

He was a fantastic coach and was very good at finding new talent. His strong personality attracted many wrestlers from other sumo groups. As a head coach, he trained many top wrestlers. Three of them even became yokozuna: Ōnishiki Uichirō, Tochigiyama Moriya, and Tsunenohana Kan'ichi. At its busiest, his stable had about 200 wrestlers! To feed everyone, he created the chankonabe style of cooking. This special stew is still a main food for sumo wrestlers today.

Hitachiyama passed away suddenly in 1922 at the age of 48. He was so respected that the Japan Sumo Association held a special funeral for him. His funeral procession was said to be 6 kilometers (about 3.7 miles) long!