Banjaku Kumataro - 磐石 熊太郎 (born May 23, 1908 - September 26, 1994) was a Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Konohana Ward, Osaka City, Osaka. He made his debut in January 1927 and wrestled for Asahiyama stable. He reached the makuuchi division in May 1934 and has 1 kinboshi. His highest rank was sekiwake and he retired in January 1943.
Career[]
Early Career[]
Koroku joined Osaka Sumo's Asahiyama stable in 1923. During the Tokyo-Osaka Sumo Association merger in 1927, he was ranked in sandanme and he reached the makushita division in May 1927. Wrestling under the shikona "Azumagata" (東潟), he was promoted to juryo in May 1929, however, he was unable to establish himself in the division. In May 1931, he was given the shikona "Banjaku" (磐石). He left sumo in 1932 due to a strike called the "Shunjuen Incident", which was largely unsuccessful, so he returned to sumo in January 1933 and was promoted to makuuchi in May 1934.
Makuuchi Career[]
In May 1937, Banjaku defeated yokozuna Tamanishiki to earn his first and only kinboshi. He reached the sekiwake rank in May 1938 and was expected to reach ozeki due to his consistent sumo, despite being 30 years old. However, in this tournament, he injured his left knee joint and was unable to capitalize on an ozeki run. He was demoted back down to the maegashira ranks for the following January 1939 and remained there for the remainder of his career. He retired from sumo in January 1943.
Retirement from Sumo[]
After retiring in 1943, he remained in sumo as an elder of the Japan Sumo Association, working as a coach at Asahiyama stable under the name Kitajin Oyakata. He died shortly after on September 26, 1944, at the age of 36.
Personal Life[]
- Banjaku's wife is a singer from Aichi prefecture. He fathered four children. His eldest son, Eisuke Koroku, was an announcer for NHK. His daughter later married ozeki Kotogahama. His grandson, Kotogahama's third son, was also a sumo wrestler who wrestled under the shikona "Kotougusa" (琴宇草). He made his debut in March 1982, reaching as high as makushita 35, and retired in September 1991 due to injuries.
Fighting Style[]
Banjaku 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 yoritaoshi, or frontal crush out. He was also fond of employing tsuridashi, or lift out.
Record[]
Division Results[]
- Total: 206-207-9/408 (42 basho)
- Makuuchi: 106-123-9/224 (18 basho)
- Juryo: 34-43/77 (8 basho)
- Makushita: 57-38/95 (14 basho)
- Sandanme: 9-3/12 (2 basho)
Achievements[]
- Kinboshi: (1) Tamanishiki
Shikona History[]
- Azumagata Kumataro (1927.01 - 1931.03)
- Banjaku Kumataro (1931.05 - 1943.01)
Gallery[]
