Tsunenohana Kan'ichi (Japanese: 常ノ花 寛市, November 23, 1896 – November 28, 1960) was a Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Okayama. He was the sport's 31st yokozuna.

Tsunenohana Kan'ichi
常ノ花 寛市
Personal information
BornYamanobe Kanichi
(1896-11-23)November 23, 1896
Okayama, Japan
DiedNovember 28, 1960(1960-11-28) (aged 64)
Height1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)
Weight115 kg (254 lb)
Career
StableDewanoumi
Record263-81-66 (8 draws)
DebutJanuary, 1910
Highest rankYokozuna (January, 1924)
RetiredOctober, 1930
Elder nameFujishima → Dewanoumi
Championships10 (Makuuchi)
1 (Jūryō)
* Up to date as of June 2020.

Career

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He was born Yamanobe Kanichi (山野辺 寛一). He made his professional debut in January 1910 and reached the top makuuchi division in May 1917. He won his first top division championship in May 1921 from the rank of ōzeki, with a perfect record of ten wins and no losses. After his second championship in May 1923 and a runner-up spot in January 1924, he was promoted to yokozuna. He was to win eight more championships during his yokozuna career, including three in a row in 1927. He was much stronger than his competition and had no serious rivals. As a result, turnout at tournaments tended to be quite poor.[1] His last title came in March 1930. He fought his last bouts in May of that year and officially retired in October. His retirement came very suddenly, as he was at the height of his powers, and it left Miyagiyama as the only yokozuna.[1]

Retirement

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Tsunenohana performs his kanreki dohyō-iri in 1956.

After retiring from active competition in 1930 he became the head of the Dewanoumi stable, initially on an acting basis only, and was known as Fukushima Oyakata. In 1949 he became the official head coach and the seventh Dewanoumi Oyakata. From 1944 to 1957 was also the chairman of the Sumo Association. During his tenure as chairman, in 1956, he performed his kanreki dohyō-iri or '60th year ring entrance ceremony' to commemorate his years as yokozuna. Later on in his tenure, he began to be blamed for the Sumo Association's problems and attempted to commit suicide by a sword and gas in May 1957. He was rescued, but retired as chairman.[2] He remained the head of Dewanoumi stable until his death in November 1960 at the age of 64.

Top Division Record

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  • In 1927 Tokyo and Osaka sumo merged and four tournaments a year in Tokyo and other locations began to be held.
Tsunenohana[3]
- Spring Summer
1917 x West Maegashira #12
6–3
1h

 
1918 East Maegashira #4
5–4–1
 
East Maegashira #1
8–1–1
 
1919 East Sekiwake
6–3–1
 
East Sekiwake
7–2
1h

 
1920 East Sekiwake
6–1–1
1d 1h

 
Sat out
1921 West Ōzeki
9–1
 
East Ōzeki
10–0
 
1922 East Ōzeki
7–2
1h

 
West Ōzeki
5–4
1d

 
1923 East Ōzeki
4–4
2d

 
West Ōzeki
9–0
1d 1h

 
1924 West Ōzeki
8–2
 
East Yokozuna
5–2–1
2d 1h

 
1925 East Yokozuna
0–2–9
 
West Yokozuna
3–1–6
1d

 
1926 West Yokozuna
11–0
 
Sat out
Record given as wins–losses–absences    Top division champion Top division runner-up Retired Lower divisions Non-participation

Sanshō key: F=Fighting spirit; O=Outstanding performance; T=Technique     Also shown: =Kinboshi; P=Playoff(s)
Divisions: MakuuchiJūryōMakushitaSandanmeJonidanJonokuchi

Makuuchi ranks: YokozunaŌzekiSekiwakeKomusubiMaegashira
- Spring
Haru basho, Tokyo
March
Sangatsu basho, varied
Summer
Natsu basho, Tokyo
October
Jūgatsu basho, varied
1927 West Yokozuna
7–4
 
West Yokozuna
10–1
 
West Yokozuna
10–1
 
East Yokozuna
10–1
 
1928 Sat out West Yokozuna
10–1
 
West Yokozuna
11–0
 
West Yokozuna
9–2
 
1929 East Yokozuna
4–4–3
 
Sat out East Yokozuna
10–1
 
East Yokozuna
8–3
 
1930 East Yokozuna
8–3
 
East Yokozuna
10–1
 
East Yokozuna
5–4
 
West Yokozuna
Retired
0–0–0
Record given as win-loss-absent    Top Division Champion Top Division Runner-up Retired Lower Divisions

Key:d=Draw(s) (引分);   h=Hold(s) (預り)
Divisions: MakuuchiJūryōMakushitaSandanmeJonidanJonokuchi

Makuuchi ranks: YokozunaŌzekiSekiwakeKomusubiMaegashira

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b Newton, Clyde (1994). Dynamic Sumo. Kodansha. p. 124. ISBN 4-7700-1802-9.
  2. ^ "The Gallery – Rijicho of the Kyokai". The Oyakata Gallery. Retrieved 2012-08-25.
  3. ^ "Tsunenohana Kanichi Rikishi Information". Sumo Reference. Retrieved 2007-09-27.
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Preceded by 31st Yokozuna
1924–1930
Succeeded by
Yokozuna is not a successive rank, and more than one wrestler can hold the title at once
Sporting positions
Preceded by Chairman of the Japan Sumo Association
1944–1957
Succeeded by