Orochigata Kinsaku - 大蛇潟 金作 (born May 20, 1919 - March 21, 1986) was a Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Yokote, Akita. He made his debut in January 1937 and last wrestled for Nishikijima stable. He reached the makuuchi division in May 1948 and has one special prize as well as one kinboshi. His highest rank was maegashira 1 and he retired in November 1957.
Career[]
Early Career[]
At the age of 17, Saito moved to Tokyo and joined Nishikijima stable, making his professional debut in January 1937. He initially wrestled under the shikona "Jumonji" (十文字) before switching to "Yatomeishi" (矢留石) in January 1939. He was promoted to sandanme in January 1940 and makushita in January 1942. He was promoted to juryo in January 1944, but was demoted back down to makushita in November 1945. Upon returning to juryo in June 1947, he was given the shikona "Orochigata" (大蛇潟) which had been used by former wrestlers belonging to the Nishikijima stable. He was promoted to makuuchi three tournaments later in May 1948.
Makuuchi Career[]
In his top division debut, Orochigata was aiming for the makuuchi yusho for majority of the tournament. He lost on the final day to Tokachiiwa by utchari (backward pivot throw) to finish with a 9-2 record and was runner-up to yokozuna Azumafuji who finished with a 10-1 record. Nevertheless, he was awarded the Fighting Spirit prize. However, in the following October 1948 tournament, Orochigata injured his knee and withdrew from the tournament. Because of this, he never managed to reach the san'yaku ranks with his highest rank being maegashira 1. In March 1954, he defeated yokozuna Kagamisato to earn his first kinboshi at the age of 35. He retired from sumo in November 1957 after falling back down to juryo.
Retirement from Sumo[]
After retiring from sumo, Orochigata remained in the Japan Sumo Association as an elder under the name Minato. In March 1960 he switched to the Kitajin elder name, but left the sumo world shortly after in March 1962. He ran an inn in his post sumo life.
Death[]
Orochigata died on March 21, 1986, at a hospital in Chiyoda, Tokyo, due to liver cancer. He was 66 years old.
Fighting Style[]
Orochigata 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 yorikiri, or force out.
Record[]
Division Results[]
- Total: 305-334-14/637 (57 basho)
- Makuuchi: 214-257-14/469 (33 basho)
- Juryo: 33-30/63 (8 basho)
- Makushita: 28-16/44 (6 basho)
- Sandanme: 18-14/32 (4 basho)
- Jonidan: 10-12/22 (3 basho)
- Jonokuchi: 2-5/7 (1 basho)
Achievements[]
- Sansho: Fighting Spirit Prize (1)
- Kinboshi: (1) Kagamisato
Shikona History[]
- Jumonji Kinsaku (1937.01 - 1938.05)
- Yatomeishi Kinsaku (1939.01 - 1946.11)
- Orochigata Kinsaku (1947.06 - 1957.11)
Gallery[]
