Futaseyama Shogo

Futaseyama Shogo - 二瀬山 勝語 (born August 7, 1921 - October 17, 1975) was a Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Osaka City, Osaka. He made his debut in May 1938 and last wrestled for Asahiyama stable. He reached the makuuchi division in October 1948 and has three kinboshi. His highest rank was maegashira 2 and he retired in May 1958.

## **Early Life**

Kusuda was born in Osaka City's Higashinari Ward on August 7, 1921. He was recruited into Asahiyama stable by former maegashira Tetsukabuto who also came from Osaka city.

## **Career**

### **Early Career**

Kusuda made his professional debut in May 1938 under the shikona "Yonegawa" (米川). He was promoted to sandanme in May 1941 and makushita in May 1942. In May 1943 he was given the shikona "Yatsurugi" (八剱). In January 1944, Yatsuguri posted a solid 5-3 record at the rank of makushita 21, however, after this he was drafted for military service due to rising tensions during World War II. He was a member of the Imperial Japanese Marines based in Kure, Hokkaido. Since the military lifestyle was very similar to sumo, Yatsurugi was able to maintain his strength. He returned to sumo in November 1946 and was promoted to juryo for the following June 1947 tournament. Upon promotion to juryo, he was given the new shikona "Futaseyama" (二瀬山). After three tournaments in juryo, he was promoted to makuuchi in October 1948.

### **Makuuchi Career**

Futaseyama was ranked in the top division for a total of 28 tournaments. He was unable to win any special prizes or reach the san'yaku ranks with his highest rank being maegashira 2. Futaseyama was known for his ability to battle top ranked wrestlers even though he never reached san'yaku. In January 1953 he handed future yokozuna Kagamisato his only loss in the tournament. He earned a total of three kinboshi, defeating yokozuna Chiyonoyama twice and yokozuna Azumafuji once. In March 1954, Futaseyama finished with a strong 11-4 record and was runner-up to Mitsuneyama who finished with a 12-3 record. Futaseyama eventually fell down to juryo in September 1956 and retired from sumo in May 1958 to avoid an inevitable demotion to makushita.

## **Retirement from Sumo**

After retiring Futaseyama remained in the Japan Sumo Association as an elder under the name Onaruto. In May 1960, he branched out of Asahiyama stable and established Onaruto stable. When Asahiyama Oyakata passed away in May 1963, Onaruto took over as the new Asahiyama Oyakata and merged Asahiyama stable with Onaruto stable. He produced multiple couple sekitori including sekiwake Kotetsuyama, komusubi Wakafutase, and Ryuo, who was the first sekitori from Okinawa prefecture. In 1974, he accepted six new Tongan recruits who were sent directly from the King of Tonga to study sumo.

### **Death**

Futaseyama died on October 14, 1975, at the age of 54 due to a subarachnoid hemorrhage. Asahiyama stable was subsequently inherited by former komusubi Wakafutase.

## **Fighting Style**

Futaseyama was proficient in both yotsu-sumo (grappling) and oshi-sumo (pushing and thrusting) techniques. His favored grip on his opponent's mawashi was hidari-yotsu, a right hand outside, left hand inside position. He was also fond of employing tsuppari (a series of rapid thrusts to the chest) and harite (slaps to the face). His most often used winning kimarite was tsuridashi (lift out).

## **Record**

### **Division Results**

* **Total:** 311-354-3/664 (53 basho)
* **Makuuchi:** 187-224-3/410 (28 basho)
* **Juryo:** 74-93/167 (12 basho)
* **Makushita:** 22-17/39 (5 basho)
* **Sandanme:** 10-6/16 (2 basho)
* **Jonidan:** 15-9/24 (3 basho)
* **Jonokuchi:** 3-5/8 (1 basho)

### **Achievements**

* **Kinboshi:** 3: (2) Chiyonoyama, (1) Azumafuji

## **Shikona History**

* Yonegawa (1938.05 - 1943.01)
* Yatsurugi Shogo (1943.05 - 1947.06)
* Futaseyama Shogo (1947.11 - 1958.05)

## **Sources**

* Futaseyama Shogo Japanese Wikipedia Article
* Futaseyama Shogo Rikishi Information