Asahidake Tsurunosuke - 朝日嶽 鶴之助 (born 1840 - April 4, 1882) was a Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Tsuruoka, Yamagata. He made his debut in October 1860 and wrestled for Tatsutagawa stable. He reached the makuuchi division in June 1868. His highest rank was ozeki and he retired in June 1878.
Early Life[]
Shozo Honma was born to farmers in Tsuruoka, Yamagata and he later worked for a fisherman as an indentured servant. He worked as a seaman and constantly travelled in and out of Shonai Domain before catching the attention of a feudal lord, who recommended that he join professional sumo.
Career[]
He joined Tatsutagawa stable and made his professional debut in October 1860 under the shikona "Yuranoumi Shozo" (由良ノ海 庄蔵). In February 1862, he was given the shikona "Asahidake" (朝日嶽) which was dervied from his hometown mountian, Mount Asahi. After eight years in the lower divisions, he reached the top makuuchi division in June 1868. He was promoted to komusubi in June 1872 and sekiwake in March 1874. He was ranked in san'yaku for nine straight tournaments before earning a promotion to ozeki in December 1877. He only wrestled as ozeki for two tournaments and retired in June 1878.
In 1878, while visiting his hometown of Yamagata for a tour, the Ordinance of Yamagata, Mishima Michitsune, arranged for the House of Gojo to award Asahidake a yokozuna license. Asahidake accepted the license and performed the yokozuna dohyo-iri on multiple occasions, however, he is not formally recognized as an official yokozuna as the license was not awarded from the House of Yoshida.
Retirement from Sumo[]
After retiring from sumo, he remained in the sumo world as an elder under the name Tatsutagawa. However, he was ill and died four years after his retirement on April 4, 1882, at the age of 42.
Record[]
Division Results[]
- Total: 104-45-45-42draws-7holds/198 (27 basho)
- Makuuchi: 82-40-45-37draws-6holds/165 (21 basho)
- Juryo: 22-5-5draws-1hold/33 (6 basho)
Shikona History[]
- Yuranoumi Shozo (1860.10 - 1861.10)
- Asahidake Tsurunosuke (1862.03 - 1878.06)
Gallery[]
