Akashi Shiganosuke

Uncommon card · No. 157255

Akashi Shiganosuke (Japanese: 明石 志賀之助; c. 1600 – c. 1649) is purported to be a Japanese sumo wrestler who is formally recognized as the first yokozuna. A legendary figure, his historicity is disputed. He is said to have been active in the Kan'ei era (1624–1643). He was described as being of gigantic size, at 2.58 m (8 ft 6 in) tall and weighing 340 kg (750 lb). He is said to have been born in Utsunomiya, Tochigi prefecture in central Japan, the son of Yamanouchi Shuzen, a samurai who served Sumaura Rinemon. According to sumo folklore, he took part in a sumo tournament in Yotsuya, Tokyo in 1624 and became an instant star, enabling sumo organisers to charge admission for the first time. He is said to have been given the title of Hinoshita Kaisan (a Buddhist term signifying a man of exceptional power) by the third Tokugawa shōgun, Iemitsu. By 1800, his legendary reputation as a huge and powerful rikishi had been solidified, and his exploits were retold and embellished through the years. He...

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