Kasagiyama Katsuichi

Kasagiyama Katsuichi - 笠置山 勝一 (born January 7, 1911 - August 11, 1971) was a Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Yamatokoriyama, Nara. He made his debut in February 1932 and wrestled for Dewanoumi stable. He reached the makuuchi division in May 1935 and has one kinboshi. His highest rank was sekiwake and he retired in November 1945.

## **Early Life**

Kanji Nakamura was born on January 7, 1911, in what is now Yamatokoriyama, Nara. He began sumo wrestling in elementary school, and during his sixth year of elementary school, Nakamura won the Nara Prefectural Wanpaku Sumo Tournament. During his time at Koriyama High School, he left sumo and joined the judo club. However, in 1928 he joined Dewanoumi stable due the recommendation of a relative of Yokozuna Hitachiyama. He had not completed his studies at the time, so he transferred to Waseda High School in Tokyo. Nakamura simultaneously lived at the stable and attended school. He went on to attend Waseda University where he was also a member of the sumo club. Dewanoumi stable strictly stated that he could not make his official debut until he graduated, however, due to the "Shunjuen Incident", where a number of top division wrestlers went on strike, Dewanoumi stable permitted Nakamura to make his professional debut.

## **Career**

### **Early Career**

He made his professional debut in February 1932 under the shikona "Kasagiyama" (笠置山). Due to his amateur experience, he was allowed to make his debut at the makushita division. Kasagiyama produced solid results during his time in makushita and was promoted to juryo in January 1933. His promotion to juryo also coincided with his graduation from Waseda University. In January 1935, Kasagiyama won the juryo yusho with a perfect 11-0 record and was promoted to makuuchi in May 1935.

### **Makuuchi Career**

Kasagiyama produced a strong 8-3 record in his top division debut and he reached the rank of sekiwake in January 1937 after only four tournaments in makuuchi. However, he finished with a poor 1-10 record in his san'yaku debut and was demoted back down to the maegashira ranks. He returned to the rank of sekiwake in May 1942, but could only manage a 5-10 record. In January 1944, he defeated yokozuna Haguroyama to earn his first and only kinboshi. He eventually retired from sumo in November 1945.

## **Retirement from Sumo**

After retiring, he remained in sumo as an elder of the Japan Sumo Association, working as a coach at Dewanoumi stable under the name Hidenoyama Oyakata. His danpatsu-shiki, or retirement ceremony, was held at the Okuma Auditorium in Waseda University. He worked as the right-hand man for Futabayama during his time as chairman of the JSA, and in 1955 he established 70 recognized kimarite as well as the official rules of sumo. Dewanoumi Oyakata (the 31st yokozuna Tsunenohana) passed away in 1960 and since Kasagiyama's wife was the granddaughter of yokozuna Hitachiyama, he was considered to be the successor to the stable, but he declined and Dewanohana was named the successor instead.

### **Death**

He died on August 11, 1971, at the age of 60 due to stomach cancer.

## **Fighting Style**

Kasagiyama was a yotsu-sumo wrestler who prefers grappling to pushing and thrusting techniques. He favored a hidari-yotsu (right hand outside, left hand inside) position when gripping his opponent's mawashi (belt). His most common kimarite were yorikiri (force out), yoritaoshi (frontal crush out) and shitatenage (underarm throw).

## **Record**

### **Division Results**

* **Total:** 192-175-10/367 (31 basho)
* **Makuuchi:** 134-139-10/273 (22 basho)
* **Juryo:** 27-17/44 (4 basho)
* **Makushita:** 31-19/50 (5 basho)

### **Championships**

* 1 **Juryo** Championship (January 1935)

## **Shikona History**

* Kasagiyama Katsuichi (1932.02 - 1945.11)

## **Sources**

* Kasagiyama Katsuichi Japanese Wikipedia Article
* Kasagiyama Katsuichi Rikishi Information