Jinmaku Kyūgorō

was a Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Itō, Izumo Province. He was the sport's 12th yokozuna and one of its most important record keepers and historians.

Career

Jinmaku was born in Ou District, Izumo Province (modern Matsue, Shimane Prefecture). His real name was . In 1847, he became a pupil of a wrestler named Hatsushio Kyūgorō in Onomichi, Bingo Province (now in Hiroshima Prefecture). When Hatsushio died in 1848, he moved to Osaka and became a pupil of Asahiyama Shirouemon, fighting his first bout in 1850 and taking the shikona, or ring name. In 1850 he was sent in excursion to Edo (now modern day Tokyo) and briefly became a pupil of Hidenoyama Raigorō, the 9th yokozuna. He worked under Tokushima Domain and took the shikona . There he was known as one of the "Four Heavenly Kings of Awa" along with Kimenzan, and , all of whom wrestled for the Tokushima.

Retirement from sumo and death Because of his insight and political links, he was appointed Osaka-sumo supervisor by the Governor of Osaka Prefecture. With this momentum, Jinmaku worked hard to make Osaka-sumo independent and strengthened. On 6 June 1873, he organised a match at the tenran-zumō tournament at the Osaka Mint Palace, but Saigō Takamori was not satisfied with the organisation. For the first time, Akashi Shiganosuke, Ayagawa Gorōji and Maruyama Gondazaemon were recognised as the first three yokozuna. 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.