Hanaikada Ken - 花筏 健 (born September 24, 1941) is a former Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Tsuruoka, Yamagata. He made his debut in January 1960 and wrestled for Tatsunami stable. He reached the juryo division in March 1966. His highest rank was juryo 17 and he retired in November 1966.
Early Life[]
Miura was born to a farming family on September 24, 1941, in Tsuruoka, Yamagata. After graduating junior high school, he attended high school part time while working at a factory. After graduating from Tsuruoka Technical High School, he moved to Tokyo to find a job, but was introduced in December 1959, he was introduced to Tatsunami Oyakata (the 36th Yokozuna Haguroyama) and subsequently joined the stable. However, he failed his initial physical test due to his lack of weight. He tried again in January 1960 and this time passed the test.
Career[]
Initially wrestling under his surname Miura, he was promoted to sandanme in May 1961 and makushita in January 1962. He briefly wrestled under the shikona "Enjaku" (燕雀) in 1962, but after two losing records he reverted back to his surname. Upon promotion to juryo in March 1966, he changed his shikona to "Hanaikada" (花筏), however, he only lasted one tournament in juryo and announced his retirement in November 1966.
Retirement from Sumo[]
Hanaikada (花筏)
After retiring, he worked at a steel mill in Seto, Aichi. Later, he returned to his hometown and in 1973, he opened up a chanko restaurant called ”Hanaikada" (花筏). He also became a sumo researcher and published many books on sumo.
Published Works[]
- 土俵裏表 - 花筏の半生記 (1984, Onda Takatsugu)
- おらえの先祖は相撲取り - 山形県相撲史総覧 (1994, Vanity Press)
- 山形の相撲人 - 相撲史秘話集 2 (1999, Vanity Press)
- 相撲甚句物語 - ルーツを求めて (2004, Gendai Shokan)
- こぼればな史 (2007, Shonnai Nippo Press)
Fighting Style[]
Hanaikada was a yotsu-sumo wrestler who prefers grappling to pushing and thrusting techniques. He favored a migi-yotsu (left hand outside, right hand inside) position when gripping his opponent's mawashi (belt). His most common kimarite was yorikiri, or force out.
Record[]
Division Results[]
- Total: 162-131-3-1d/294 (42 basho)
- Juryo: 5-10/15 (1 basho)
- Makushita: 107-92-3-1d/200 (29 basho)
- Sandanme: 18-10/28 (4 basho)
- Jonidan: 26-17/43 (6 basho)
- Jonokuchi: 6-2/8 (1 basho)
Shikona History[]
- Miura Ken (1960.01 - 1962.07)
- Enjaku Ken (1962.09 - 1962.11)
- Miura Ken (1963.01 - 1966.01)
- Hanaikada Ken (1966.03 - 1966.11)