Banshinzan Seizaburo - 番神山 政三郎 (born January 17, 1909 - January 7, 1982) was a Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Kashiwazaki, Niigata. He made his debut in January 1927 and wrestled for Kagamiyama stable. He reached the makuuchi division in January 1934 and has one kinboshi. His highest rank was maegashira 2 and he retired in May 1941.
Early Life[]
Seizaburo Hasegawa was born on January 17, 1909, in what is now Kashiwazaki, Niigata. After graduating from high school, he worked at a sake brewery in Maebashi, Gunma, but was recommended by his peers to compete at an amateur sumo tournament. He subsequently won the tournament and joined Kagamiyama stable.
Career[]
Early Career[]
He made his professional debut in January 1927 and was given the shikona "Banshinzan" (番神山). He was promoted to juryo in May 1930. 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 January 1934.
Makuuchi Career[]
In only his second tournament, Banshinzan finished with a strong 9-2 record and was runner-up to Shimizugawa's 11-0 record. He was promoted to a career-best maegashira 2 rank for the following January 1935 tournament, however, he finished with a poor 4-7 record in this tournament. In January 1936, he defeated Yokozuna Musashiyama to earn his first and only career kinboshi. He retired from sumo in May 1941 after finishing with a poor 1-14 record in the previous tournament.
Retirement from Sumo[]
After retiring, he remained in sumo as an elder of the Japan Sumo Association, working as a coach under the name Ikazuchi Oyakata. He reached the mandatory retirement age of 65 in 1974. He died on January 7, 1982, at the age of 72.
Fighting Style[]
Banshinzan was an oshi-sumo wrestler who prefers pushing and thrusting techniques to fighting on the mawashi. His most common kimarite used was a straightforward tsukidashi, or thrust out.
Record[]
Division Results[]
- Total: 119-139-10-1d/257 (26 basho)
- Makuuchi: 57-73-1d/130 (11 basho)
- Juryo: 56-66-2/121 (11 basho)
- Makushita: 6-0-8/6 (3 basho)
Championships[]
- 1 Makushita Championship (January 1931)
Achievements[]
- Kinboshi: (1) Musashiyama
Shikona History[]
- Banshinzan Seizaburo (1927.01 - 1941.05)
Gallery[]
