23 Facts About Hitachiyama Taniemon

Hitachiyama Taniemon was a Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Mito, Ibaraki Prefecture.

Hitachiyama Taniemon was the sport's 19th yokozuna from 1903 till 1914.

Hitachiyama Taniemon is remembered as much for his exploits in promoting the sport as for his strength on the dohyo.

Hitachiyama Taniemon's family was dismissed by the Meiji restoration authorities and was ruined financially.

Hitachiyama Taniemon moved to Tokyo and became dependent on his uncle.

Hitachiyama Taniemon attempted to enter Waseda University where his uncle was employed.

Hitachiyama Taniemon's uncle advised him to become a sumo wrestler.

Hitachiyama Taniemon moved to Nagoya sumo and then Osaka sumo.

Hitachiyama Taniemon returned to Tokyo sumo in the spring of 1896.

Hitachiyama Taniemon had become much stronger during his absence and won 32 consecutive bouts upon his return.

Hitachiyama Taniemon fought against fellow ozeki Umegatani Totaro II on the final day of May 1903 tournament.

Hitachiyama Taniemon defeated Umegatani and his own promotion to yokozuna was confirmed.

Hitachiyama Taniemon insisted that his rival be promoted as well.

Hitachiyama Taniemon got his wish and he and Umegatani were promoted to yokozuna together in June 1903.

Hitachiyama Taniemon once won 27 bouts in a row, lost one to Araiwa Kamenosuke in his first tournament as yokozuna, then went on another winning streak of 32 bouts.

Hitachiyama Taniemon met President Theodore Roosevelt and performed the yokozuna dohyo-iri in the White House.

Hitachiyama Taniemon is the last yokozuna to have a winning percentage over.

Hitachiyama Taniemon started his powerful techniques only after his opponents' attack.

Hitachiyama Taniemon's fighting style is seen as a model of yokozuna.

Hitachiyama Taniemon introduced bushido into sumo, and raised the status of sumo wrestlers in society.

Hitachiyama Taniemon performed the yokozuna dohyo-iri in an innovative way.

Hitachiyama Taniemon had such charisma and personality that he was able to tempt many wrestlers away from the less successful Osaka and Kyoto based sumo associations, which caused friction between the rival organisations.

Hitachiyama Taniemon died suddenly in 1922 at the age of 48.