Odate Uzaemon

Odate Uzaemon - 大達 羽左エ門 (born December 15, 1853 - August 17, 1904) was a Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Tagawa District, Dewa Province. He made his debut in December 1873 and last wrestled for Isenoumi stable. He reached the makuuchi division in June 1882 and has one top division championship. His highest rank was ozeki and he retired in June 1895.

## **Early Life**

Benji Suwa was born the second son of a farmer in Tagawa District, Dewa Province (currently Tsuruoka, Yamagata). Since he was a child he was known as "Hercules" for his strength in amateur sumo.

## **Career**

### **Early Career**

He joined Tatsutagawa stable and made his professional debut in December 1873. However, he soon escaped the stable due to bad behavior and wandered off to Niigata prefecture. He later served an apprenticeship at a sake brewery in Murakami while also participating in amateur sumo tournaments. One day in 1877, Takasago stable travelled to Murakami for a regional tour and Suwa was subsequently recruited into the stable by Takasago Uragoro. Upon promotion to juryo in May 1880 he was given the shikona "Odate" (大達). He reached the makuuchi division in June 1882.

### **Makuuchi Career**

In his first top division tournament, Odate finished with a strong 6-2-2 record. During the March 1884 tenranzumo (sumo wrestling performed in imperial presence), Emperor Meiji requested that Odate battle yokozuna Umegatani I, however, the match ended in a draw after 30 minutes of stalemate with both wrestlers gripping each other's belts. Nevertheless, the Emperor found great pleasure in the match and it is known as one of the greatest matches during the Meiji period. Shortly after, Odate won the equivalent of his first yusho in May 1884 (the modern yusho system was not introduced until 1909) and was promoted to ozeki in January 1885.

### **Ozeki Career**

In May 1884 Odate, finished with a record of 8 wins-0 loss, and expected to be promoted to ozeki. However when the rankings were announced in January 1885 to his surprise Nishinoumi who finished with a record of 5 wins-2 loss , was promoted to ozeki instead. Odate grew so infuriated that he argued with his stablemaster Takasago, who tried to conciliate Odate by telling him to be patient. However, in anger Odate struck him which led to Takasgao in excommunicating him from the stable. Odate later left for Isenoumi stable and shortly after the incident was eventually promoted to ozeki. In the Spring 1885 tournament even though he finished with a 7-1-1-1draw record in his ozeki debut he was demoted to sekiwake for the following tournament, It is presumed by sumo researchers that his demotion was punishment for the incident . Odate immediatley returned to ozeki in January 1886 and was expected for a yokozuna promotion and a set of three kesho-mawashi was even prepared for him. However, he was forced to miss three consecutive tournaments due to health issues from excessive drinking and was demoted from ozeki in January 1889. After that he struggled, only finishing with one more kachi-koshi (winning record), before retiring in June 1895.

## **Retirement from Sumo**

After retiring, he remained in the sumo world as an elder under the name Chiganoura and devoted himself to training new apprentices. He died on August 17, 1904, at the age of 50.

## **Fighting Style**

Odate was an oshi-sumo wrestler who prefers pushing and thrusting techniques to fighting on the mawashi. He was fond of employing tsupprai (a series of rapid thrusts to the chest) and tokkurinage (two handed head twist down).

## **Record**

### **Division Results**

* **Total:** 114-52-109-19draws-3holds/188 (30 basho)
* **Makuuchi:** 87-47-109-14draws-3holds/151 (26 basho)
* **Juryo:** 27-5-5draws/37 (4 basho)

### **Championships**

* 1 Unofficial **Makuuchi** Championship (May 1884)

## **Sources**

* Odate Uzaemon Japanese Wikipedia Article
* Odate Uzaemon Rikishi Information