Sadatsugu Futabayama

The 35th Yokozuna sumo wrestler. His real name was Akiyoshi Sadatsugu. He was born on February 9, 1912 in Amatsu Village, Oita Prefecture (now Usa City). He joined the Tatsunami stable in 1927 (Showa 2), but in January 1932, the Shunshuen Incident saw a large number of wrestlers leave the stable, so he was promoted from Juryo to Makuuchi. After being promoted to Sekiwake in May 1936, he suddenly showed his strength, setting an unprecedented record of 69 consecutive wins. When he failed to achieve his 70th consecutive win and lost to Akinoumi's outside throw (on the fourth day of the Spring Tournament in 1939), he became the talk of the nation. During that time, he was promoted to Ozeki in January 1937, and to Yokozuna in May of the same year after winning all three matches in a row. With a well-balanced build of 178 cm and 124 kg, his throws with unrivaled strength, from a right-handed thrust to a left-handed upper-hand grip, ushered in the Futabayama era, with fans gathering around the Kokugikan from the night before to catch a glimpse of Futabayama. He made a great contribution to reviving the world of sumo, which had been in a slump for a long time, in the dark times of the world. He had a record of 276 wins, 68 losses and 1 draw in the top division, winning 12 times (8 wins in total). While still active, he established the Futabayama Dojo and worked to train his disciples. He retired in November 1945 (Showa 20), and in 1946 he took on the name Tokitsukaze, developing the dojo into a large stable in one generation, producing over 20 top division wrestlers, including Yokozuna Kagamisato. In 1957, he became the chairman of the Japan Sumo Association, and contributed to the modernization of the world of sumo. He was awarded the Order of the Third Class, Junior Fourth Rank. Died on December 16, 1968.

[Masao Ikeda]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

第35代横綱力士。本名穐吉(あきよし)定次。明治45年2月9日大分県天津(あまつ)村（現宇佐市）に生まれる。1927年（昭和2）立浪(たつなみ)部屋に入門、1932年1月春秋園事件で大量脱退力士をみたので、十両から特進入幕した。1936年5月関脇(せきわけ)に昇進してから、にわかに強豪ぶりを発揮し、前人未踏の69連勝の大記録を樹立した。70連勝がならず安芸ノ海(あきのうみ)の外掛けに敗れた日（1939年春場所4日目）は、全国の話題をさらった。その間1937年1月大関、同年5月には全勝3連覇で横綱に推挙された。178センチメートル、124キログラムの均整のとれた体格で、右差し左上手(うわて)をとっての投げは無類の強さで、双葉山の姿を一目見ようと、ファンは前夜から国技館の周囲を取り巻くという、双葉山時代を招来した。暗い世相において長く沈滞した相撲(すもう)界を復興させた功績は大きい。幕内成績276勝68敗1引分け、優勝12回（全勝8回）の記録を残した。現役のころから双葉山道場を創設して弟子の養成に努め、1945年（昭和20）11月引退、1946年時津風を襲名し、一代で大部屋に発展させ、横綱鏡里(かがみさと)をはじめ二十数人の幕内力士を輩出した。1957年日本相撲協会理事長に就任し、相撲界の近代化に貢献した。従(じゅ)四位勲三等が贈られた。昭和43年12月16日没。

［池田雅雄］

出典　小学館　日本大百科全書(ニッポニカ)日本大百科全書(ニッポニカ)について　情報 | 凡例