Asashio Tarō II

was a Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Ehime Prefecture, Japan. He is the second wrestler to bear the shikona, or ring name, Asashio. He became the stablemaster of Takasago stable in 1915 while still active, and continued to run the stable after his retirement in 1919 until 1941, when he passed on the Takasago elder share to then ōzeki Maedayama. He died in 1962 at the age of 83.

Early life and career Asashio was born in Saijō in the Ehime Prefecture. At the age of 20, it is said he had the strength to lift a load nearly three times his body weight, and was expected to become a sumo wrestler. He entered the Takasago stable and became the protege of coach Sanoyama (former ōzeki Asashio). He entered his first tournament in 1901 under the shikona, or ring name, but was later given the name , the former ring name of his mentor, when he was promoted to sekiwake. He was a popular wrestler because he had the appearance of an ancient samurai and a sportsman attitude in the ring. He was so strong with his right hand grip that he earned the nickname , 'right-hand grip worth fifty thousand koku'. However Asashio did not want his promising rikishi to leave the stable and even proposed to change Minanogawa's shikona to his own of Asashio to obligate him to stay. Eventually a compromise was worked out and Minanogawa divided his time between the two stables.