Hanenishiki Tokusaburo

Hanenishiki Tokusaburo - 羽子錦 徳三郎 (born October 17, 1935 - November 19, 1973) was a Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Amagasaki, Hyogo. He made his debut in January 1952 and last wrestled for Tomozuna stable. He reached the makuuchi division in May 1958. His highest rank was maegashira 10 and he retired in September 1962.

## **Early Life**

Tokusaburo was born in Amagasaki, Hyogo, to rice shop owners. He had a younger brother and three younger sisters. After graduating from junior high school, a member of the Amagasaki City Council, introduced Tokusaburo to the Takashima stable, and in January 1952, he made his professional debut.

## **Career**

### **Early Career**

He made his professional debut in January 1952 and was given the shikona "Hanenishiki" (羽子錦). He was promoted to sandanme in January 1953 and makushita in May 1954. In September 1955, he posted a 7-1 record at the rank of makushita 9 and was promoted to juryo for the following November 1955 tournament.

### **Juryo Career**

In his first tournament as a sekitori, Hanenishiki finished with an 8-7 record. He then followed with two 11-4 records and was promoted to the top of juryo in September 1956. However, he fractured his right elbow on the second day of the September 1956 tournament and subsequently sat out of two straight tournaments which regulated him back to the bottom of juryo. Nevertheless, he recovered and posted three consecutive double-digit winning records which earned him a spot in makuuchi for the May 1958 tournament.

### **Makuuchi Career**

Hanenishiki was ranked in the top division for a total of 12 tournaments, but he struggled to establish himself and could only manage to reach the rank of maegashira 10. He mainly struggled due to his right elbow injury and spent majority of his later career in juryo. In 1961, his Takashima stable changed its name to Tomozuna stable.

## **Retirement from Sumo**

Hanenishiki suffered from diabetes and after falling down to makushita in September 1962, he retired from sumo. After retiring, he managed an apartment in his hometown of Amagasaki, Hyogo.

### **Death**

He died on November 19, 1973, at the age of 38 due to an illness.

## **Fighting Style**

Hanenishiki was a yotsu-sumo wrestler who prefers grappling to pushing and thrusting techniques. He favored a migi-yotsu (left hand outside, right hand inside) position when gripping his opponent's mawashi (belt). His most common kimarite was yorikiri, or force out.

## **Record**

### **Division Results**

* **Total:** 338-297-27/632 (53 basho)
* **Makuuchi:** 80-95-5/174 (12 basho)
* **Juryo:** 189-156-15/343 (25 basho)
* **Makushita:** 31-17-7/48 (7 basho)
* **Sandanme:** 27-21/48 (6 basho)
* **Jonidan:** 9-7/16 (2 basho)
* **Shinjo:** 2-1/3 (1 basho)

## **Shikona History**

* Tatsumi Tokusaburo (1952.01 - 1952.01)
* Hanenishiki Tokusaburo (1952.05 - 1958.07)
* Hanenishiki Tokujiro (1958.09 - 1959.03)
* Raikozan Tokusaburo (1959.05 - 1959.05)
* Hanenishiki Tokujiro (1959.07 - 1959.09)
* Hanenishiki Tokusaburo (1959.11 - 1962.07)
* Tatsumi Tokusaburo (1962.09 - 1962.09)

## **Sources**

* Hanenishiki Tokusaburo Japanese Wikipedia Article
* Hanenishiki Tokusaburo Rikishi Information