Tokibayama Toshio

Tokibayama Toshio - 時葉山 敏夫 (born May 5, 1944 - September 20, 1995) was a Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Nanao, Ishikawa. He made his debut in September 1959 and last wrestled for Tokitsukaze stable. He reached the makuuchi division in September 1967. His highest rank was maegashira 2 and he retired in March 1975.

## **Early Life**

Haruki began sumo wrestling while in elementary school and won many local competitions during his time at Nanao Shiritsu Nanaotobu Junior High School. During his third year in junior high school, he was recruited by Tatsutagawa Oyakata (the 42nd yokozuna Kagamisato) who was a coach at Tokitsukaze stable which Haruki subsequently joined upon graduating junior high school.

## **Career**

### **Early Career**

He made his professional debut in September 1959 and wrestled under his surname Haruki. He was promoted to sandanme in September 1960, but was unable to establish himself in the division until he won the jonidan yusho in September 1961. He was promoted to makushita in November 1962 and he won the makushita yusho with a perfect 7-0 record in July 1963, but was unable to reach juryo until July 1966.

### **Juryo Career**

Upon reaching the elite sekitori ranks he changed his shikona to "Tokibayama" (時葉山). He was able to establish himself in juryo as he posted an 8-7 record in his first tournament. After a year in juryo, Tokibayama produced a 10-5 record at the rank of juryo 5 and was promoted to makuuchi in September 1967.

### **Makuuchi Career**

Tokibayama was ranked in makuuchi for a total of 36 tournaments. He was unable to the san'yaku ranks with his highest rank being maegashira 2 which he earned in September 1968. Furthermore, he never managed to defeat a yokozuna or earn a special prize. Towards his later career he fell down to juryo but returned to makuuchi on multiple occasions after winning the juryo yusho twice.

## **Retirement from Sumo**

Tokibayama eventually fell down to makushita in January 1975 and he ultimately announced his retirement after the March 1975 tournament. Upon retirement from active competition he became an elder in the Japan Sumo Association under the name Fujigane.

### **Death**

At around 8:40 AM on September 20, 1995, he suddenly died at a hospital in Koto, Tokyo, due to gastrointestinal bleeding. He was 51 years old.

## **Personal Life**

Tokibayama's second son Yoshiharu (born 1975) joined Tokitsukaze stable in March 1991. He took the same shikona as his father, but only made it as high as sandanme 56 before retiring from the sport in November 1999.

After retiring, he opened up a restaurant in Koto, Tokyo, called Tokibayama (料亭 時葉山 森下・菊川店). The restaurant has since been managed by Tokibayama's eldest son.

## **Fighting Style**

Tokibayama 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 was yorikiri, or force out. He was also done of employing sukuinage, or belles arm throw.

## **Record**

### **Division Results**

* **Total:** 523-533-7/1054 (94 basho)
* **Makuuchi:** 237-301-2/536 (36 basho)
* **Juryo:** 123-102/225 (15 basho)
* **Makushita:** 90-76-2/166 (24 basho)
* **Sandanme:** 35-39-3/74 (11 basho)
* **Jonidan:** 32-13/45 (6 basho)
* **Jonokuchi:** 6-2/8 (1 basho)

### **Championships**

* 2 **Juryo** Championships
	+ 1st (November 1973)
	+ 2nd (May 1974)
* 1 **Makushita** Championship (July 1963)
* 1 **Jonidan** Championship (September 1961)

## **Shikona History**

* Haruki Toshio (1959.09 - 1966.05)
* Tokibayama Toshio (1966.07 - 1975.03)

## **Gallery**

Tokibayama poses with his kesho-mawashiTokibayama prepares for his upcoming match (c. 1974)Tokibayama after retirement as Fujigane Oyakata (c. 1985)Tokibayama's restutant, 料亭 時葉山 森下・菊川店Tokibayama's tegata
## **Sources**

* Tokibayama Toshio Japanese Wikipedia Article
* Tokibayama Toshio Rikishi Information