Kokonoe stable
Born in Kazuno, he was scouted by "yokozuna" Chiyonofuji after winning several children's sumo competitions in his native Akita Prefecture. At junior high school he was a rival of the future Wakanohana. He joined Chiyonofuji's Kokonoe stable and made his professional debut in May 1986. He made the "sandanme" division in November 1987 but then missed two tournaments and fell back to the lowest "jonokuchi" division. In July 1988 he won his first (and only) "yusho" or tournament championship in the "jonidan" division with a perfect 7-0 record. He reached the third highest "makushita" division a year later.