Yamanishiki Zenjiro - 山錦 善治郎 (born April 17, 1898 - May 27, 1972) was a Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Osaka City, Osaka. He made his debut in May 1917 and wrestled for Dewanoumi stable. He reached the makuuchi division in January 1923 and has six kinboshi and one top division championship. His highest rank was sekiwake and he retired in January 1932.
Early Life[]
Zenjiro Yamada was born the second son of a fishmonger in Osaka City's Kita Ward. He attended Kansai University where he was a member of the school's sumo club. He later dropped out of college and joined Dewanoumi stable. He was the first sumo wrestler to turn professional with a collegiate background in sumo.
Career[]
Early Career[]
He made his professional debut in May 1917 and was given the shikona "Yamanishiki" (山錦). He posted strong records in the lower divisions and was promoted to juryo in January 1922 after having posted no losing records. He continued to impress and was promoted to makuuchi in January 1923 after only two tournaments in juryo.
Makuuchi Career[]
Yamanishiki reached the rank of komusubi in January 1926, but was unable to establish himself at the san'yaku level. Throughout his career, Yamanishiki acquired six kinboshi, defeating Yokozuna Miyagiyama five times and Yokozuna Nishinoumi III once. He rose to the rank of sekiwake in October 1927, but was only ranked there for two tournaments. Nevertheless, he had by then become a regular in the upper-makuuchi ranks. In May 1930, he finished with a perfect 11-0 record to claim the makuuchi yusho.
Retirement from Sumo[]
Yamanishiki left the Japan Sumo Association in January 1932 due to the Shunjuen Incident, an unprecedented strike which caused a number of top division wrestlers to leave. After leaving, he worked at the newly formed Kansai Sumo Association up until its dissolution in 1937. After that he ran a ryokan (traditional inn) as well as a synthetic resin factory. He died on May 27, 1972, at the age of 74.
Fighting Style[]
Yamanishiki was an oshi-sumo wrestler who prefers pushing and thrusting techniques to fighting on the mawashi. His most common kimarite used was a straightforward oshidashi, or push out.
Record[]
Division Results[]
- Total: 189-145-15-1draw-5holds/339 (39 basho)
- Makuuchi: 155-132-15-1draw-3holds/290 (28 basho)
- Juryo: 8-4/12 (2 basho)
- Makushita: 7-2-1hold/10 (2 basho)
- Sandanme: 7-2/9 (2 basho)
- Jonidan: 7-1/8 (2 basho)
- Jonokuchi: 5-4-1hold/10 (2 basho)
Championships[]
- 1 Makuuchi Championship (May 1930)
Achievements[]
- Kinboshi: 6: (5) Miyagiyama, (1) Nishinoumi III
Shikona History[]
- Yamanishiki Zenjiro (1917.05 - 1932.01)
Gallery[]
