Shiranui Dakuemon

was a Japanese sumo wrestler from Uto, Higo Province. He was the sport's 8th yokozuna, and is the only yokozuna in history to have been demoted.

Early life His real name was and his father was a government official. After his father's death he took over his position at age 15. He married early, at the age of 19, and had two sons. In 1823, he got into an argument with the head of his village. Forgetting his own strength, he pushed the village head too harshly. The village head fell to the floor and was knocked unconscious. Knowing the trouble this would cause him, he escaped from his hometown, leaving his family. He found refuge in Sakai, Osaka Prefecture and became the pupil of a wrestler named who later bestowed his shikona, or ring name, to him. Another version makes him the apprentice of .

Professional sumo career He entered Osaka-sumo and made his debut in May 1824 under the name but changed his shikona multiple times. He didn't find much success in Osaka-sumo and transferred to Edo-sumo in November 1830 where he became the pupil of a wrestler named and wrestled for the Unshu domain (雲州藩). His promotion to ōzeki is also said to be because of the repeated failure of ōzeki (yokozuna) Inazuma to appear. The name of the Shiranui yokozuna dohyō-iri (ring entering ceremony) came not from him, but from the 11th yokozuna Shiranui Kōemon, whom he trained. Shiranui died in August, 1854 at 52. His grave is located on the hillside where he was born, in his hometown of Uto, Kumamoto.

Top division record The actual time the tournaments were held during the year in this period often varied. 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.