# Kimenzan Tanigorō

Kimenzan Tanigorō (鬼面山 谷五郎, 1826? – September 7, 1871) was a Japanese professional sumo wrestler. He was the sport's 13th yokozuna and the first to be promoted during the Meiji era.

## Career

Kimenzan was born in Washizu District, Mino Province (now Yōrō, Gifu Prefecture). His real name was Tanaka Shin'ichi (田中 新一). He was born to a family that ran a farm. While serving as a stone-carrier, he grew in strength and decided to enter Takekuma stable at age 13, under the tutelage of former Edo-sumo ōzeki Kotōzan. In the February 1852 tournament, he stepped in the ring for the first time under the shikona, or ring name, Hamaikari (濱碇) before changing it to Iyatakayama (彌高山). At this time, he was known as one of the "Four Heavenly Kings of Awa" along with Jinmaku, Onaruto [ja] and Nijigatake [ja], all of whom were rikishi in the Tokushima domain. A the time, wrestlers were appointed as vassals of feudal lords, having a status similar to that of a samurai as well as being the champions of the feudal domain to which they were linked. However, because Jinmaku later switched to the Matsue Domain and then Satsuma Domain, it is said that Kimenzan and Jinmaku developed a strong rivalry which resulted in several "grudge matches". He was promoted to ōzeki in November 1865. However, he was unenrolled in the November 1866 banzuke. It was reportedly because he had a quarrel with sumo elders. He was promoted to ōzeki again in June 1868. In the February 1869 tournament, he was the first wrestler of the Meiji era to be granted a yokozuna license by the Yoshida family. He was already 43 years old, making him the oldest yokozuna to be promoted in the history of sumo. Because of his age, he did not have a long career as a yokozuna, and retired from the ring only in November 1870. He was known for his strong offensive attack from a solid right-hand stance, but even when he established a solid position, his attack itself sometimes seemed forced, and thus he was often left behind. His record since his license was 17 wins, 3 losses, 2 draws, 14 holds. In the top makuuchi division, he won 143 bouts and lost 24 bouts, recording a winning percentage of 85.6. Because of his rank of yokozuna, he was given the privilege of being an ichidai-toshiyori under his shikona. He died on September 7, 1871, less than a year after his retirement, at the age of 46. His grave can be found in the Tokurin-ji temple, in his hometown of Yōrō, Gifu.

## Homage

There is a monument to him in Yōrō, Gifu.

## Top division record

* The actual time the tournaments were held during the year in this period often varied.
Kimenzan Tanigorō :
| - | Spring | Winter |
| 1857 | East Maegashira #7 8–0–2 | East Maegashira #4 6–2–2 |
| 1858 | East Maegashira #2 8–0–2 Unofficial | Called off due to fire |
| 1859 | East Komusubi 8–0–1 1h Unofficial | East Komusubi 6–2–2 |
| 1860 | East Komusubi 8–1–1 | East Komusubi 6–0–1 Unofficial |
| 1861 | East Komusubi 3–1–5 1h | East Komusubi 6–1–3 |
| 1862 | East Komusubi 6–1–2 1d | East Sekiwake 6–3–1 |
| 1863 | East Sekiwake 7–0–1 1d 1h Unofficial | East Sekiwake 7–0–2 2d Unofficial |
| 1864 | East Sekiwake 5–0–3 2d | East Sekiwake 5–3–2 |
| 1865 | East Sekiwake 5–2–2 1h | East Ōzeki 4–0–3 3d 1h |
| 1866 | East Ōzeki 7–0–1 1d 1h Unofficial | Not enrolled |
| 1867 | East Komusubi 5–0–1 3d 1h | East Komusubi 4–0–5 1d |
| 1868 | West Ōzeki 1–2–6 1h | West Ōzeki 9–0–1 Unofficial |
| 1869 | West Ōzeki 7–2–1 | West Ōzeki 6–0–2 2d |
| 1870 | West Ōzeki 4–1–5 | West Ōzeki Retired 0–0–10 |
| Record given as win-loss-absent Top Division Champion Retired Lower Divisions Key: d=Draw(s) (引分); h=Hold(s) (預り); nr=no result recorded Divisions: Makuuchi — Jūryō — Makushita — Sandanme — Jonidan — Jonokuchi Makuuchi ranks: Yokozuna (not ranked as such on banzuke until 1890) Ōzeki — Sekiwake — Komusubi — Maegashira |||
*Championships for the best record in a tournament were not recognized or awarded before the 1909 summer tournament and the above unofficial championships are historically conferred. For more information see yūshō.