Matsunosato Naoichi - 松の里 直市 (born November 29, 1909 - January 26, 1985) was a Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Goshogawara, Aomori. He made his debut in January 1926 and wrestled for Dewanoumi stable. He reached the makuuchi division in May 1939 and has one kinboshi. His highest rank was maegashira 3 and he retired in June 1945.
Career[]
Early Career[]
Naoichi Kudo joined Dewanoumi stable and made his professional debut in January 1926. He was given the shikona "Matsunosato" (松の里 and he won the sandanme yusho with a perfect 7-0 record in January 1930. However, in 1932 he was caught up in the so-called "Shunjuen Incident", when a number of top division wrestlers went on strike. He left the Japan Sumo Association in May 1934 and participated in the Kansai Sumo Association which was set up by former sekiwake Tenryu. Following the closure of the Kansai Sumo Association in January 1938 he returned to the Japan Sumo Association and restarted his career at the makushita division. He won the makushita yusho in May 1938 and was promoted to juryo in January 1939. After only one tournament in juryo, Matsunosato was promoted to makuuchi in May 1939.
Makuuchi Career[]
In his makuuchi debut, Matsunosato finished with a strong 12-3 record and finished runner-up to Futabayama's 15-0 record. He was promoted to a career-best maegashira 3 rank in May 1942. Matsunosato defeated Yokozuna Futabayama in the January 1944 tournament to stop his winning streak at 36 and he also earned his first and only kinboshi.
Retirement from Sumo[]
Matsunosato retired from sumo in June 1945. After retiring he managed an inn and an apartment in his hometown. He died on January 26, 1985, at the age of 75.
Fighting Style[]
Matsunosato 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 were sotogake (outside leg trip) and yorikiri (force out).
Record[]
Division Results[]
- Total: 117-87-11/201 (18 basho)
- Makuuchi: 85-81-11/163 (13 basho)
- Juryo: 9-4/13 (1 basho)
- Makushita: 7-0/7 (1 basho)
- Sandanme: 16-2/18 (2 basho)
Championships[]
- 1 Makushita Championship (May 1938)
- 1 Sandanme Championship (January 1930)
Achievements[]
- Kinboshi: (1) Futabayama
Shikona History[]
- Kudo Naoichi (1926.01 - 1929.09)
- Matsunosato Naoichi (1930.01 - 1945.06)
Gallery[]
