About Nomi no Sukune
Nomi no Sukune was a Japanese rikishi.
was a legendary figure in Japanese history who appears in the . He is regarded as the founder of sumo wrestling. He was the founder of the Haji clan.
Life
Sukune is said to have lived during the reign of Emperor Suinin (29 BC – 70). Allegedly, in 23 B.C., the Emperor instructed Nomi no Sukune to deal with after he boasted that he was the strongest man "under the heavens". Nomi no Sukune engaged Taima no Kehaya in hand-to-hand combat and broke his ribs with one kick and his back with another, killing Taima no Kehaya. It was not modern sumo, but he is regarded as the creator of sumo.
He is believed to be an ancestor of Sugawara no Michizane,
Legacy A mural of him, removed from the old National Stadium in 2014, was put on display at the new stadium in 2019.
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Important facts
Related people
Same field, nearest in time
Frequently asked questions
Who was Nomi no Sukune?
sumo wrestler
When was Nomi no Sukune born?
Nomi no Sukune was born in Iishi district.
When did Nomi no Sukune die?
Nomi no Sukune died in Tatsuno.
What was Nomi no Sukune's occupation?
Nomi no Sukune was a rikishi.
What nationality was Nomi no Sukune?
Nomi no Sukune was Japanese.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Nomi no Sukune. https://biography.guide/nomi-no-sukune/
MLA: "Nomi no Sukune." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/nomi-no-sukune/.
Chicago: "Nomi no Sukune." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/nomi-no-sukune/.
Data last updated: 2026-09-22 · Spot an error? Report a correction.
Portrait: Wikimedia Commons · author & licence
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