Sendagawa Kumazō

was a Japanese sumo wrestler from Muro District, Kii Province (now Tanabe, Wakayama Prefecture). His highest rank was ōzeki. As of March 1815 he is the only wrestler from Wakayama Prefecture to have been promoted to sumo's second highest rank.

Career Sendagawa began his wrestling career in the Osaka-based sumo association. He initially joined Asahiyama stable but eventually joined Manazuru stable, under the tutelage of maegashira Manazuru Masakichi, who ran his stable under the two-licence system. In Osaka he reached the top of the rankings and decided to go to Edo in 1814. There he was recruited by former ōzeki Tamagaki Gakunosuke. Because of his past prowess in Osaka, he was allowed to start directly at the rank of sekiwake and was recruited by the Kishū Domain which became his patron. His master Tamagaki also gave him his old Sendagawa shikona, or ring name. In 1815 Tamagaki IV did not enter the tournament and Sendagawa was promoted to ōzeki because the rankings were unbalanced.

Sendagawa only remained ōzeki for one tournament and continued the rest of his career in the junior ranks of san'yaku under Tamagaki IV, who had become his master in 1814 following the death of Gakunosuke. Between 1821 and 1822 he stopped taking part in tournaments and retired from the Edo-based sumo association in 1823, deciding to return to Osaka. Championships for the best record in a tournament were not recognized or awarded before the 1909 summer tournament and the above championships that are labelled "unofficial" are historically conferred. For more information see yūshō.