Wakashima Gonshiro

Wakashima Gonshiro - 若島 権四郎 (born January 19, 1876 - October 23, 1943) was a Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Ichikawa, Chiba. He made his debut in May 1891 and last wrestled for Nakamura stable. He reached the makuuchi division in January 1896 and has four top division championships. He was the 21st yokozuna and he retired in May 1905.

## **Career**

### **Tokyo Sumo Career**

He was born Takahashi Gonshiro (高橋 権四郎), but later changed his surname to Kato (加藤). He began his career in Tokyo sumo at the Tomozuna stable, joining in May 1891 at the age of 15. He reached the top makuuchi division in 1896 and wrestled under the shikona "Tatekabuto Daigoro" (楯甲 大五郎) before switching to "Wakashima Daigoro" (若嶋 大五郎) in 1897. He peaked at maegashira 7 in May 1986. He was very popular with geisha, but his interest in this side of life caused his progress in sumo to slacken. In addition, he suffered from smallpox. He left in January 1898, joining Osaka sumo, and entering Nakamura stable.

### **Osaka Sumo Career**

Upon joining Osaka Sumo in April 1898, he changed his shikona to "Wakashima Gonoshiro" (若島 権四郎). He was promoted to komusubi in June 1900 and he produced his first yusho-equivalent record (Osaka did not award official championships).

It is believed he was awarded the Osaka sumo yokozuna licence by the Gojo family in January 1903 though the evidence is obscure. In June 1903, he fought against wrestlers in Tokyo sumo. He gave a very strong performance, defeating yokozuna Umegatani Totaro II and emerged as a threat to the dominance of the strongest yokozuna in Tokyo sumo, Hitachiyama. His strength was acknowledged when, after a series of meetings between the Osaka and Tokyo sumo associations, he was awarded a yokozuna license by the Yoshida family in April 1905. The only wrestler active in Osaka sumo to ever receive this recognition. He finished his career winning the equivalent of four championships.

## **Retirement from Sumo**

He retired at the early age of 31 in January 1907 owing to an injury suffered in a cycling accident in September 1905, Yamaguchi Prefecture. After retiring, he ran a theater company and a billiard hall in Yonago, Tottori, and became a member of the Yonago city council.

He died on October 23, 1943, at the age of 67, due to a cerebral hemorrhage .

## **Fighting Style**

Wakashima 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). He was also fond of employing tsuppari (a series of rapid thrusts to the chest), ketaguri (pulling inside ankle sweep), and dashinage (pulling arm throws).

## **Record**

### **Division Results**

* **Makuuchi (Osaka sumo):** 73-6-13-5draws-3 holds/87 (15 basho)
* **Makuuchi (Tokyo sumo):** 13-26-16-4draws-1hold/44 (6 basho)

### **Championships**

* 4 Unofficial **Makuuchi** Championships (Osaka Sumo)
	+ 1st (June 1900)
	+ 2nd (May 1901)
	+ 3rd (June 1902)
	+ 4th (June 1905)

## **Shikona History**

* Tatekabuto Daigoro (1896.01 - 1897.01)
* Wakashima Daigoro (1897.05 - 1898.05)
* Wakashima Gonshiro (1898.04 - 1907.01)

## **Gallery**

Wakashima Gonshiro - (Retrieved from the Nihon Sumo Kyokai)
## **Sources**

* Wakashima Gonshiro Japanese Wikipedia Article
* Wakashima Gonshiro Rikishi Information