Chibagasaki Shunji

Chibagasaki Shunji - 千葉ヶ崎 俊治 (born April 10, 1893 - January 16, 1933) was a Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Tomisato, Chiba. He made his debut in June 1911 and wrestled for Hatachiyama stable. He reached the makuuchi division in January 1917. His highest rank was ozeki and he retired in January 1924.

## **Early Life**

Shunji Shishisakura was born in Tomisato, Chiba, and was a fan of sumo since his early childhood. He participated in local sumo tournaments and was recruited into Hatachiyama stable in 1910.

## **Career**

### **Early Career**

He made his professional debut in June 1911 and gradually rose up the ranks. In May 1913, while in makushita, he defeated future yokozuna Tochigiyama who was undefeated at the time. In January 1915 he was given the shikona "Chibagasaki" (千葉ヶ崎) and was promoted to juryo in May 1915. In May 1916, he won the juryo yusho with a perfect 7-0 record and was promoted to makuuchi in January 1917.

### **Makuuchi Career**

In his top division debut, Chibagasaki finished with a 6-2-1draw-1hold record and followed with a 6-3-1draw record in May 1917. He was promoted to komusubi in January 1918 where he finished with a strong 8-2 record and was promoted directly to ozeki in the following May 1918 after only three tournaments in the top division.

### **Ozeki Career**

During the time of his ozeki promotion, Dewanoumi stable dominated the sumo scene and they won 10 championships in the last 5 years (at the time there was only two tournaments per year). Chibagsaki put up a challenge against Dewanoumi wrestlers such as Tsunenohana, Onishiki, and Tochigiyama and was projected to become a yokozuna following the retirement of yokozuna Otori in May 1920. However, due to worsening diabetes, his records deterioated and he was demoted to sekiwake in May 1922. He immediatley returned to ozeki in January 1923, however, due to diabetes, he was demoted to komusubi in May 1923. He shortly after retired from sumo in January 1924.

## **Retirement from Sumo**

Upon retirement from sumo, Chibagasaki remained in the sumo world as an elder under the name Tamanoi. He worked as a coach for Hatachiyama stable and served as a director for the Sumo Association. In 1932, he played a major role in resinstating ozeki Shimizugawa (who belonged to Hatachiyama stable) who was excommunicated from sumo due to an incident with the yakuza.

### **Death**

In January 1932, many wrestlers went on strike, demanding reform from the Sumo Association. This was known as the Shunjuen Incident. 48 wrestlers were subsequently expelled from sumo and due to this controversy and his worsening diabetes, he died shortly after on January 16, 1933, at the age of 39.

## **Fighting Style**

Chibagasaki 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 was fond of employing tsuri (lifting) techniques, yori (forcing) techniques, uwatenage (overarm throw) and tsuppari (a series of rapid thrusts to the chest).

## **Record**

### **Division Results**

* **Total:** 82-51-19-9draws-7holds/149 (19 basho)
* **Makuuchi:** 70-48-19-9draws-5holds/132 (15 basho)
* **Juryo:** 12-3-2holds/17 (3 basho)
* **Makushita:** 0-0/0 (1 basho)

## **Sources**

* Chibagasaki Shunji Japanese Wikipedia Article
* Chibagasaki Shunji Rikishi Information