Tsurugizan Taniemon (劔山 谷右衛門, 1803 – October 17, 1854) was a sumo wrestler from Toyama City, Japan. His highest rank was ōzeki. He won six tournament championships on an unofficial basis, before the yūshō system was established and was offered, but rejected, a yokozuna licence.

Tsurugizan Taniemon
劔山 谷右衛門
Personal information
BornBunzō
1803
Toyama, Japan
DiedOctober 17, 1854(1854-10-17) (aged 51)
Height1.67 m (5 ft 6 in)
Weight115 kg (254 lb)
Career
StableOnomatsu
Record143-31-148
22draws-6holds-5noresults
(Makuuchi)
DebutMarch, 1827
Highest rankŌzeki (February 1842)
RetiredFebruary, 1852
Championships6 (Makuuchi, unofficial)
* Up to date as of June 2008.

Career

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He joined Hatachiyama stable and was later trained under yokozuna Ōnomatsu Midorinosuke. At first, he fought under the ring name Waniishi. He was one of few wrestlers to defeat yokozuna Inazuma Raigorō, who held a winning percentage of 90.9. After he won all bouts as sekiwake in the November 1841 tournament, he was promoted to ōzeki in February 1842. He was to have the best individual record in six tournaments, equivalent to six yūshō today, and recorded 29 consecutive wins. He changed his techniques according to the circumstances.[1] He was granted a yokozuna licence but rejected this and nominated Hidenoyama Raigorō instead.[2] He held the ōzeki rank for 11 years, but he finally retired as an active wrestler in February 1852 shortly before the age of 50. He is said to have died on October 17, 1854, but his death date remains vague.

Top division record

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  • The actual time the tournaments were held during the year in this period often varied.
Tsurugizan Taniemon[3]
- Spring Winter
1834 East Maegashira #8
3–1–3
2d 1nr

 
East Maegashira #5
7–1–1
1d

 
1835 East Maegashira #5
3–0–6
1d

 
East Maegashira #3
7–1–1
1d

 
1836 East Maegashira #1
5–0–1
Unofficial

 
East Komusubi #1
7–0–2
1d
Unofficial

 
1837 East Komusubi #1
4–1–4
1d

 
East Komusubi #1
6–0–2
1d 1nr
Unofficial

 
1838 East Komusubi #1
3–0–3
 
East Komusubi #1
2–2–6
 
1839 Sat out Sat out
1840 East Komusubi #1
6–3–1
 
East Komusubi #1
5–0–5
 
1841 West Sekiwake #1
6–0–3
1h
Unofficial

 
West Sekiwake #1
8–0
Unofficial

 
1842 East Ōzeki #1
3–0–4
2d 1h

 
East Ōzeki #1
5–1–2
2d
Unofficial

 
1843 East Ōzeki #1
4–0–6
 
East Ōzeki #1
4–1–4
1d

 
1844 East Ōzeki #1
3–1–5
1d

 
East Ōzeki #1
1–0–9
 
1845 Sat out East Ōzeki #1
5–1–2
1d 1h

 
1846 East Ōzeki #1
4–1–4
1h

 
East Ōzeki #1
4–2–4
 
1847 East Ōzeki #1
4–2–4
 
East Ōzeki #1
5–2–2
1d

 
1848 East Ōzeki #1
4–2–3
1nr

 
East Ōzeki #1
4–2–2
1d 1nr

 
1849 East Ōzeki #1
2–0–8
 
East Ōzeki #1
6–2–1
1nr

 
1850 East Ōzeki #1
5–2–2
1d

 
East Ōzeki #1
7–1–1
1d

 
1851 Sat out East Ōzeki #1
1–2–2
3d 2h

 
1852 East Ōzeki #1
Retired
0–0–10
x
Record given as win-loss-absent    Top Division Champion Retired Lower Divisions

Key:   d=Draw(s) (引分);   h=Hold(s) (預り);   nr=no result recorded
Divisions: MakuuchiJūryōMakushitaSandanmeJonidanJonokuchi

Makuuchi ranks: 
Yokozuna (not ranked as such on banzuke until 1890)
ŌzekiSekiwakeKomusubiMaegashira

*Championships for the best record in a tournament were not recognized or awarded before the 1909 summer tournament and the above unofficial championships are historically conferred. For more information see yūshō.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ 「得意手のないのが名人!」(大関・剣山谷右衛門) (in Japanese). Japan Sumo Association. Archived from the original on 2011-05-26. Retrieved 2008-06-21.
  2. ^ 博物館だより 第四十二号 (in Japanese). Toyama, Toyama. 2000-06-30. Archived from the original on 2005-12-01. Retrieved 2008-06-21.
  3. ^ "NAME Rikishi Information". Sumo Reference.
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