Shiranui Kōemon

Sumo wrestler infobox
wrestlername = 不知火 光右衛門 Shiranui Kōemon


Kimenzan (right) in 1869. Note Shiranui's left hand cupped to his chest, which indicates the Unryū ring entering style.
realname = Minematsu Harano
dateofbirth = birth date|1825|3|3
placeofbirth = Kumamoto, Japan
dateofdeath = death date and age|1879|2|24|1825|3|1
height = convert|1.76|m|ftin|abbr=on|lk=on
weight = convert|124|kg|lb|abbr=on|lk=on
heya = Sakaigawa
rank =
record = 119-35-75
15draws-9holds(Makuuchi)
debut = November, 1850
highestrank = Yokozuna (October 1863)
retireddate = November, 1869
yushos = 3 (Makuuchi, unofficial)
goldstars =
update = October 2007

Shiranui Kōemon (不知火 光右衛門, March 3 1825 - February 24 1879) was a sumo wrestler from Kikuchi, Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan. He was the sport's 11th Yokozuna.

Career

He was well known in local amateur sumo tournaments by the age of 16. He entered Osaka in the autumn of 1846. His coach was Minato-oyakata, former "yokozuna" Shiranui Dakuemon, who was also from Kumamoto and powerful within the Osaka organisation.cite web | author=Kuorda, Joe | title=The 11th Yokozuna Shiranui Koemon| publisher=Sumo Fan Magazine | language= English | url=http://www.sumofanmag.com/content/Issue_12/Rikishi_of_Old.htm| date=| accessdate=2007-10-10] In May 1847, he made his professional debut in Osaka sumo. His stablemaster realised his potential, and in 1849, he transferred to Sakaigawa stable in Edo sumo. He made his debut in November 1850 and reached the top "makuuchi" division in November 1856. He adopted the Shiranui "shikona" soon after that. He was promoted to "ozeki" in March 1862. He was awarded a "yokozuna" licence in October 1863. He was more known for his technique than his strength, and was feared especially for his right hand technique. He was an expert at leg grabs, once downing Ryōgoku Kajinosuke I, himself an expert on the technique, with one clean move.

Shiranui became a yokozuna at the age of 38, and his record as an "ozeki" had not been particularly strong. The granting of the licence was more due to his popularity with the public and long years of service, and the fact that he was close to the House of Yoshida Tsukasa, who awarded the licences.

The name of one style of "yokozuna dohyō-iri" (the yokozuna ring entering ceremony) came from him. His ritual dance was said to be beautiful, and his ceremony was always a highlight for tournament crowds, sometimes more than the bouts themselves. He continued to perform it for three years after his retirement. However it is unproved that he actually performed what is now called the Shiranui style. In fact, he is considered by most sumo historians today to be the organizer of the Unryū style. [cite web|author=Castella, Stehane;Perran, Thierry|title=History and evolution of the tsuna since 1789|publisher=Le Monde Du Sumo|url=http://www.lemondedusumo.com/english/MDS14_tsuna.php?mag=mds&num=14|date=February 2006|accessdate=2008-06-17] There is a picture of him performing the ceremony holding his arm to his chest, which indicates an Unryū rather than Shiranui style. In addition, the 22nd Yokozuna Tachiyama, who was credited as perfecting the Shiranui style (with both arms held out), said his dohyo-iri was based on Unryu Kyukichi's style.

In the top makuuchi division, Shiranui won 119 bouts and lost 35 bouts, recording a winning percentage of 77.3. He retired in November 1869 at the age of 44, and returned to his roots in Osaka sumo to lead the organisation until his death in 1879.

Top division record

"*2 tournaments were held yearly in this period, though the actual time they were held was often erratic"
"*Championships from this period were unofficial
"*Yokozuna were not listed as such on the ranking sheets until 1890
"*There was no fusensho system until March 1927
"*All top division wrestlers were usually absent on the 10th day until 1909

ee also

*List of yokozuna
*List of past sumo wrestlers
*Glossary of sumo terms

References

reflist

External links

* [http://www.sumofanmag.com/content/Issue_12/Rikishi_of_Old.htm The 11th Yokozuna Shiranui Koemon]
*ja icon [http://www.fsinet.or.jp/~sumo/profile/1/18561104.htm Shiranui Koemon tournament result]