Daimonji Kenji

Daimonji Kenji - 大文字 研二 (born February 21, 1940) is a former Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Shimogyu-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture. He made his debut in March 1956 and last wrestled for Nishonoseki stable. He reached the makuuchi division in November 1966. His highest rank was maegashira 5 and he retired in July 1973.

## **Early Life**

Tamura was born in Shimogyu Ward in Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture. After graduating from junior high school, he joined All Japan Pro-Wrestling Association (no relation which All Japan Pro Wrestling), however, not much is known about his professional wrestling career. He shortly joined Nakamura stable and made his professional debut in March 1956.

## **Career**

### **Early Career**

He made his professional debut in March 1956 and was given the shikona "Daimonji" (大文字). In January 1957 he won the jonidan yusho with a perfect 7-0 record and was promoted to sandanme in the following tournament and makushita in November 1947. In 1961 he transferred to Nishonoseki stable after his Nakamura stable closed down. At the time of his stable's closure there was only one other wrestler at the stable which made training sessions quite difficult. After transferring he posted more consistent results and was promoted to juryo in November 1962.

### **Juryo Career**

In his first tournament as a sekitori, Daimonji posted a disastrous 2-13 record and was demoted back down to makushita. He returned to juryo a year later and was able to establish himself in the division. After three years in juryo, he won the juryo yusho in September 1966 with a 12-3 record and was promoted to makuuchi for the following November 1966 tournament.

### **Makuuchi Career**

Daimonji was ranked in makuuchi for a total of seven tournaments separated into two different stints. His first stint was from November 1966 to March 1967 and only lasted three tournaments. His second stint was from September 1969 to March 1970 and it only lasted four tournaments with his highest rank being maegashira 5 which he earned in January 1970.

## **Retirement from Sumo**

After falling down to makushita in May 1973, Daimonji announced his retirement in the following July 197 tournament. Upon retirement from active competition he became an elder in the Japan Sumo Association, under the name Nishiiwa. He coached at Taiho/Otake stable, until reaching the Sumo Association's mandatory retirement age of 65 in February 2005.

## **Fighting Style**

Daimonji 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 uwatenage, or overarm throw.

## **Record**

### **Division Results**

* **Total:** 598-579-15-1d/1177 (102 basho)
* **Makuuchi:** 43-62/105 (7 basho)
* **Juryo:** 370-390-4-1d/760 (51 basho)
* **Makushita:** 135-105-11/240 (34 basho)
* **Sandanme:** 31-17/48 (6 basho)
* **Jonidan:** 14-2/16 (2 basho)
* **Jonokuchi:** 5-3/8 (1 basho)

### **Championships**

* 1 **Juryo** Championship (September 1966)
* 1 **Jonidan** Championship (January 1957)

## **Gallery**

Daimonji celebrates Yokozuna Taiho's Yusho (c. 1966)Daimonji poses with his kesho-mawashi (c. 1967)Daimonji after retirement as Nishiiwa Oyakata (c. 1976)
## **Sources**

* Daimonji Kenji Japanese Wikipedia Article
* Daimonji Kenji Rikishi Information