Wakashima Gonshirō

was a Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Ichikawa, Chiba Prefecture. He was the sport's 21st yokozuna and the first official yokozuna from the Osaka Sumo Association.

Early life and career Wakashima was born in Ichikawa-city, Chiba, under the name of . His date of birth has been dated either August 2, 1874, or January 19, 1876. At the time he was the only wrestler active in Osaka sumo to ever receive this recognition. It is believed he was awarded an unofficial Osaka Sumo Association yokozuna license by the in January 1903, though the evidence of this actually occurring is obscure.

Osaka sumo top division record Osaka sumo existed independently for many years before merging with Tokyo sumo in 1926. 1–2 tournaments were held yearly, though the actual time they were held was often erratic. In his first Osaka tournament Wakashima competed at makuuchi, but was unranked. Championships for the best record in a tournament were not recognized or awarded in Osaka sumo before its merger with Tokyo sumo, and the unofficial championships above are historically conferred. For more information, see yūshō.