Quiz de l’Association, vendredi 29 novembre

The Association’s quiz on Friday, November 29

Photo © 9navi.jp

Chaque jour, l’Association partage sur son site officiel un quiz sur de nombreux sujets. Je vous en partagerai régulièrement le contenu.

Le 10e yokozuna, Unryu est sans doute le Grand champion le plus âgé lorsqu’il a reçu sa licence : 39 ans.

Né en 1822, il est devenu orphelin à 11 ans (parents morts d’une épidémie) et a consacré sa jeunesse à l'éducation de ses frères et sœurs. En 1841, l’ozeki Oitekaze le remarque lors d’une tournée en Kyushu et l’invite à s’initier au sumo. Le futur Unryu partira pour Osaka en 1845 avant de rentrer à Tokyo en 1847.

Promu Makuuchi en 1852, il sera choisi pour combattre devant le Commodore américain Matthew Perry. La maison Yoshida lui accorde la licence de yokozuna en 1861, mais on le remarquera davantage pour sa générosité que sa performance. Il prendra sa retraite en 1865 à la mort de son mentor et assurera la direction du club avant de présider l’Association de Tokyo.

FYI, le « premier » style de dohyo-iri des Grands champions serait son héritage mais on n’a aucune réelle preuve historique. Certains témoignages rapportent même que les noms des deux formes aient été inversées avec le temps.

---

ENGLISH TRANSLATION

Every day, the Association shares a quiz on many topics on its official website. I will share the content with you regularly.

The 10th Yokozuna, Unryu is probably the oldest Grand Champion when he received his license: 39 years old.

Born in 1822, he was orphaned at the age of 11 (parents died of an epidemic) and had to take care of his younger siblings. In 1841, the ozeki Oitekaze noticed him during a tour in Kyushu and invited him to learn sumo. The future Unryu left for Osaka in 1845 before returning to Tokyo in 1847.

Promoted to Makuuchi in 1852, he was chosen to fight in front of the American Commodore Matthew Perry. The Yoshida house granted him the license of yokozuna in 1861, but he was noted more for his generosity than his performance. He retired in 1865 after the death of his mentor and took over the management of the stable before presiding over the Tokyo Association.

FYI, the "first" style of dohyo-iri of the Grand champions would be his legacy but we have no real historical proof. Some testimonies even report that the names of the two forms have been reversed over time.