Arashiyama Jiro

Arashiyama Jiro - 嵐山 次郎 (born December 14, 1943) is a former Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Anpachi, Gifu. He made his debut in March 1960 and last wrestled for Miyagino stable. He reached the makuuchi division in March 1970. His highest rank was maegashira 12 and he retired in May 1972.

## **Early Life**

Ebi was born in the town of Anpachi in Gifu prefecture. After graduating junior high school, he moved to Tokyo where he worked as a turner. However, he was a big fan of the 43rd yokozuna Yoshibayama and eventually joined Miyagino stable where Yoshibayama was the stablemaster.

## **Career**

### **Early Career**

Ebi made his professional debut in March 1960 and was initially given the shikona "Kairoyama" (海老山) before switching to "Arashiyama" (嵐山) in 1962. He was promoted to sandanme in January 1962 and makushita in September 1963. In January 1967, he produced a 5-2 record at the rank of makushita 3 and was promoted to juryo in the following March 1967 tournament.

### **Juryo Career**

In his juryo debut, Arashiyama finished with an 8-7 record. However, they were cutting the amount of juryo wrestlers from 36 to 28. Because of this, even though Arashiyama finished with a winning record, he was still demoted back down to makushita as he was ranked at juryo 18 and the lowest rank in the following tournament would be juryo 14. Arashiyama was stuck in makushita for over a year before returning to juryo in July 1968. In July 1969, Arashiyama won the juryo yusho with an 11-4 record. Four tournaments later he was promoted to makuuchi.

### **Makuuchi Career**

Arashiyama made his makuuchi debut in March 1970. He struggled and could only finish with a 4-11 record which demoted him back down to juryo. This proved to be his only appearance in the top division. After this, Arashiyama bounced back and forth between juryo and makushita before announcing his retirement after the May 1972 tournament.

## **Retirement from Sumo**

He left the sumo world upon retirement from active competition in May 1972. After leaving, he opened up a chanko restaurant in Naka Ward, Nagoya, Aichi, called "Chanko Arashiyama" (ちゃんこ 嵐山).

## **Fighting Style**

Arashiyama was very technical and skilled. He was a yotsu-zumo expert, favoring the migi-yotsu (left hand outside, right hand inside) position when gripping his opponent's mawashi (belt). He employed over 31 different kimarite during his time as a sekitori, with his favorite being tsuridashi (lift out) and sotogake (outside leg trip).

## **Record**

### **Division Results**

* **Total:** 327-298-15/625 (74 basho)
* **Makuuchi:** 4-11/15 (1 basho)
* **Juryo:** 111-129/240 (16 basho)
* **Makushita:** 143-101-8/244 (36 basho)
* **Sandanme:** 37-26-7/63 (10 basho)
* **Jonidan:** 26-23/49 (7 basho)
* **Jonokuchi:** 6-8/14 (2 basho)

## **Shikona History**

* Ebi (1960.03 - 1960.05)
* Kairoyama (1960.07 - 1962.11)
* Arashiyama (1963.01 - 1967.11)
* Ebi (1968.01 - 1968.05)
* Arashiyama Jiro (1968.07 - 1972.05)

## **Gallery**

Arashiyama with his kesho-mawashiArashiyama prepares for his upcoming match (c. 1970)
## **Sources**

* Arashiyama Jiro Japanese Wikipedia Article
* Arashiyama Jiro Rikishi Information