Takasago stable
Joining Takasago stable in March 1978 after a successful amateur sumo career at Kinki University, he began his professional career in the third highest "makushita" division, and was promoted to the top "makuuchi" division in November 1978. He initially competed under his own surname, Nagaoka, but in March 1979 he was given the "shikona" of Asashio (or "morning tide"), which had previously been used by several past greats in Takasago stable, including his own stablemaster. Asashio was promoted to "komusubi" in May 1980 and "sekiwake" in July 1980. In November 1981 he lost a playoff for the tournament championship to new "yokozuna" Chiyonofuji. He was runner-up to Chiyonofuji once again in May 1982 and to Kotokaze in January 1983.