Dewanohana Kuniichi
Dewanohana Kuniichi (Japanese: 出羽ノ花國市, March 1, 1909 – May 30, 1987) real name Kuniichi Ichikawa (國一市川), was a Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Komatsu, Ishikawa (Japan). His highest rank was maegashira 1.[1] After retiring, he took the position of head coach at Dewanoumi stable, following the death of Tsunenohana from 1960 to 1968. He then was elected chairman (rijichō) of the Japan Sumo Association under the name of Musashigawa from 1968 to 1974.[2] Unlike most of his contemporaries, he had a business education background.
| Dewanohana Kuniichi | |
|---|---|
| 出羽ノ花 國市 | |
 | |
| Personal information | |
| Born | Kuniichi Ichikawa 1 March 1909 Komatsu, Ishikawa, Japan |
| Died | 30 May 1987 (aged 78) |
| Height | 1.73 m (5 ft 8 in) |
| Weight | 110 kg (240 lb; 17 st) |
| Career | |
| Stable | Dewanoumi |
| Record | 96-104-32 |
| Debut | January, 1925 |
| Highest rank | Maegashira 1 (January 1936) |
| Retired | May 1940 |
| Elder name | Dewanoumi → Musashigawa |
| * Up to date as of June 2020. | |
Dewanoumi succession turmoil
Dewanohana became head coach at his stable because he was considered old enough for the responsibility, contrary to yokozuna Chiyonoyama who also sought the title. In 1965, his daughter married Sadanoyama, with the avowed objective of the latter of inheriting the Dewanoumi stable. This practice was common in the world of sumo, since kabu were traditionally inherited within the same family or between an apprentice and his master. However, it also denied Chiyonoyama's chance to inherit the Dewanoumi name, as he expected it being a yokozuna and senior coach (under the name Kokonoe) at the stable. Sadanoyama being formally recognized as heir in 1967 created a turmoil which resulted in Chiyonoyama willing to break off the Dewanoumi stable to found the Kokonoe stable with 10 wrestlers (including then ozeki Kitanofuji). Due to this founding breaking the unspoken rule of not allowing oyakata independence from the stable (dating back to Hitachiyama), Dewanohana permitted after a long debate the creation and expelled Chiyonoyama from the Dewanoumi ichimon.[3]
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Japan sumo association chairmanship
In 1968, he is appointed rijisho following the sudden death of the previous head (Tokitsukaze oyakata, former Futabayama). He gave the kabu of Dewanoumi to his son-in-law Sadanoyama and took upon the name of Musashigawa. His presidency was marked by several attempts to modernize Sumo, including the introduction of video refereeing (1969)[4] or the renovation of Kuramae Kokugikan (1971).
Later life and death
In 1974, he handed over the chairmanship to Kasugano oyakata, and became a director to the board of the association. He continued to serve as an advisor and as the director of the Sumo Museum. After reaching retirement on February 28, 1976, he retired from the Japan Sumo Association, and died on May 30, 1987, at the age of 78.
After his death, the Japan Sumo Association held an association funeral on June 2 of the same year to honor his achievements, and on June 9 of the same year he was posthumously awarded the Order of the Sacred Treasure (Fifth Class).[5]
Career record
- In 1927 Tokyo and Osaka sumo merged and four tournaments a year in Tokyo and other locations began to be held.
| - | Spring Haru basho, varied |
Summer Natsu basho, varied |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1925 | (Maezumo) | Shinjo 0–2 |
||||
| 1926 | East Jonokuchi #12 2–3 |
West Jonokuchi #5 4–2 |
||||
| Record given as win-loss-absent Top Division Champion Top Division Runner-up Retired Lower Divisions Sanshō key: F=Fighting spirit; O=Outstanding performance; T=Technique Also shown: ★=Kinboshi; P=Playoff(s) | ||||||
| - | Spring Haru basho, Tokyo |
March Sangatsu basho, varied |
Summer Natsu basho, Tokyo |
October Jūgatsu basho, varied | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1927 | East Jonidan #29 4–2 |
East Jonidan #29 5–1 |
West Sandanme #49 3–3 |
West Sandanme #31 3–3 |
||
| 1928 | West Sandanme #37 2–4 |
West Sandanme #17 3–3 |
East Sandanme #41 4–2 |
East Sandanme #41 3–3 |
||
| 1929 | West Sandanme #12 4–2 |
West Sandanme #12 4–2 |
West Makushita #25 3–3 |
West Makushita #25 4–2 |
||
| 1930 | West Makushita #11 6–0 |
West Makushita #11 3–3 |
West Jūryō #9 2–9 |
West Jūryō #9 5–6 |
||
| 1931 | East Makushita #3 3–3 |
East Makushita #3 3–3 |
East Makushita #5 5–1 |
East Makushita #5 2–4 |
||
| 1932 | East Maegashira #5 0–0–8 |
East Maegashira #5 0–0–10 |
East Jūryō #5 0–0–11 |
East Jūryō #5 6–5 |
||
| Record given as win-loss-absent Top Division Champion Top Division Runner-up Retired Lower Divisions Sanshō key: F=Fighting spirit; O=Outstanding performance; T=Technique Also shown: ★=Kinboshi; P=Playoff(s) | ||||||
| - | Spring Haru basho, Tokyo |
Summer Natsu basho, Tokyo |
Autumn Aki basho, Tokyo |
|||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1933 | West Jūryō #11 8–3 |
East Jūryō #3 7–4 |
Not held | |||
| 1934 | West Maegashira #14 6–5 |
East Maegashira #10 6–5 |
Not held | |||
| 1935 | East Maegashira #7 6–5 |
West Maegashira #4 7–4 |
Not held | |||
| 1936 | East Maegashira #1 2–9 |
East Maegashira #9 5–6 |
Not held | |||
| 1937 | East Maegashira #10 5–6 |
West Maegashira #13 6–4–3 |
Not held | |||
| 1938 | West Maegashira #9 7–6 |
East Maegashira #8 5–8 |
Not held | |||
| 1939 | East Maegashira #13 7–6 |
West Maegashira #10 6–9 |
Not held | |||
| 1940 | West Maegashira #12 0–4–11 |
West Maegashira #19 Retired 0–0–15 |
Not held | |||
| 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) | ||||||
References
- "Dewanohana Kuniichi Rikishi Information". Sumo Reference. Retrieved 30 September 2022.
- "The Gallery - Rijicho of the Kyokai". The Oyakata Gallery. Retrieved 25 August 2012.
- "ご存知ですか？ きょう2月2日は九重部屋発足の日です". Bunshun Japan. Retrieved 30 September 2022.
- "ご存知ですか？ きょう2月2日は九重部屋発足の日です". Nikkan Sports. 27 October 2016. Retrieved 30 September 2022.
- "～訪問：平成17年９月18日～". 善養寺東京都豊島区. Retrieved 30 September 2022.
- "Dewanohana Kuniichi Rikishi Information". Sumo Reference. Retrieved 25 September 2012.