1. Early Life and Sumo Entry
Myōbudani Kiyoshi's early life and journey into the sumo world were shaped by his rural upbringing, notable physical attributes, and a strong ambition that set him apart from his family's traditional path.
1.1. Childhood and Family Background
Myōbudani Kiyoshi was born on April 29, 1937, as the third son into a family of pioneering farmers in Akan, Hokkaido (now part of Kushiro City). From a young age, he displayed remarkable physical characteristics. By the sixth grade of elementary school, he already stood at 5.8 ft (1.76 m) tall and possessed exceptional strength, often assisting with the demanding family farm work. His deeply sculpted facial features and muscular, hairy physique led to speculation that he might have had Ainu ancestry, given the significant Ainu population in the region at the time. An anecdote suggests that a Buddhist statue, the Agyo figure at Asakusa Kannon Temple, was modeled after Myōbudani in his youth, with publications noting that visitors to Asakusa can still glimpse his youthful features.
1.2. Motivation for Sumo and Professional Debut
Despite his physical prowess, Kiyoshi strongly disliked farm work and harbored ambitions of becoming a sumo wrestler. His opportunity arose in 1953 when yokozuna Haguroyama and Yoshibayama visited his hometown on a sumo tour. Accompanied by a former sandanme wrestler from his village who was close to Yoshibayama, Kiyoshi visited their lodging and was treated to chanko stew. This experience solidified his determination, and he returned home to inform his parents of his desire to join sumo. Initially, his parents strongly opposed his decision, leading to conflict. However, the principal of his junior high school intervened, persuading his parents by guaranteeing that Kiyoshi would become a significant figure in sumo and promising to help him find an alternative path if he did not achieve the rank of sekitori within three years. This intervention paved the way for his entry into the sumo world. He joined Takashima stable and made his professional debut in March 1954. His own assessment was that his great height made him ill-suited for farm work.
Some time after joining Takashima stable, Myōbudani transferred to the "Yoshibayama Dojo," a new stable founded by Yoshibayama while he was still an active wrestler. This stable later evolved into the present-day Miyagino stable after Yoshibayama's retirement. As the three-year deadline set by his school principal approached in March 1957, his parents visited the stable to order him to return home. However, his stablemaster, Yoshibayama, convinced them to grant Kiyoshi an additional year, explaining that even he, a future yokozuna, had taken four years to achieve sekitori status. This plea allowed Myōbudani to continue his sumo career. He achieved promotion to the jūryō division in November 1957 and made his makuuchi (top division) debut in July 1959. Although he lost his first makuuchi tournament with a 7-8 record and was demoted back to jūryō, he quickly returned to the top division. Initially, Myōbudani was reserved and lacked aggressiveness in bouts and training. However, after receiving advice from those around him and feeling the responsibility of being the stable's senior wrestler, he became stricter with himself and his younger stablemates, leading to a more aggressive style that solidified his position in makuuchi from November 1960.
2. Professional Sumo Career
Myōbudani Kiyoshi's professional sumo career was marked by a steady ascent through the ranks, distinctive fighting techniques, and a persistent drive for higher achievement, although he faced certain challenges that prevented him from reaching the sport's highest echelons.
2.1. Promotions and Major Achievements
After his initial struggles in the top division, Myōbudani established himself, making his first sanyaku appearance at komusubi in September 1961. He achieved his highest rank, sekiwake, in November 1964. He was a four-time runner-up in top division tournaments, in September 1961, May 1965, September 1965, and September 1968. Notably, he participated in two yūshō playoffs, in September 1961 against ōzeki Kashiwado and ōzeki Taihō, and again in September 1965 against Kashiwado.
Myōbudani was a frequent recipient of special prizes, earning eight sanshō throughout his career: four for Outstanding Performance (July 1964, November 1964, January 1965, November 1965) and four for Fighting Spirit (September 1961, September 1964, September 1965, January 1967). He also secured three kinboshi for defeating yokozuna (two against Taihō and one against Sadanoyama). Additionally, he received the Raiden Award three times (September 1961, May 1965, September 1965). In January 1968, he reached the milestone of 1,000 consecutive career appearances from his professional debut, receiving a special commendation from the Japan Sumo Association. His slim, muscular build and deeply sculpted features made him particularly popular among female fans, including foreigners.
2.2. Sumo Style
Myōbudani's distinctive sumo style was heavily influenced by his physique. Standing tall, his signature technique was tsuri-dashi (lift out), a powerful move where he would lift his opponent clean off the dohyō and carry them out of the ring. This technique, which earned him the nickname "Human Crane," was his most frequently used kimarite (winning technique). Beyond tsuri-dashi, he also effectively utilized yori-kiri (force out) and utchari (ring edge throw). Despite having a high waist, which sometimes led to slower tachi-ai (initial charge), his stablemaster advised him to prioritize securing a strong migi-uwate (right-hand outside grip) rather than focusing on a quick start. By around 1967, however, his effectiveness in a full grapple (gappuri-yotsu) began to wane, and he increasingly became susceptible to sotogake (outside leg trip) attacks.
2.3. Challenges and Unfulfilled Potential
Despite his consistent performance in sanyaku and his impressive streak of sanshō awards, Myōbudani Kiyoshi never achieved the rank of ōzeki, a rank many expected him to reach. Part of this was attributed to the systemic disadvantages in the sumo world, specifically the keito-betsu sō-atari-sei (stable-lineage based round-robin system) prevalent at the time. Although Miyagino stable belonged to the Tatsunami ichimon (group of stables), it was considered a distinct lineage within it. Consequently, Myōbudani had no other sanyaku wrestlers from his immediate lineage, forcing him to face top-ranked opponents from other lineages more frequently than might otherwise have been the case.
A significant hurdle was his record against Kashiwado, a dominant yokozuna of his era, against whom Myōbudani suffered 19 consecutive losses, including their encounters in championship playoffs. Furthermore, in March 1965, when he was close to ōzeki promotion, he lost his first two matches of the tournament by isamiashi (stepping out of the ring voluntarily), a rare and often costly mistake that effectively derailed his promotion bid. Despite these challenges, he maintained a commendable presence in the top division, achieving a overall top division record of 414 wins against 450 losses with 6 absences. He had a notable record against yokozuna Taihō, defeating him 5 times against 20 losses; Myōbudani and Fusenishiki are the only two sekiwake or lower ranked wrestlers to have achieved 5 victories against Taihō.
3. Retirement and Later Life
Myōbudani Kiyoshi's life after sumo was marked by a significant personal transformation, including a deep religious conversion that led him to completely withdraw from the traditional sumo world.
3.1. Retirement as an Active Sumo Wrestler
Myōbudani Kiyoshi retired from active sumo competition after the November 1969 tournament. His retirement was primarily due to health reasons, specifically lower back pain and polyarthralgia (multiple joint pain). Upon his retirement, he assumed the toshiyori (elder) name Nakamura, signifying his continued affiliation with the Japan Sumo Association. He remained involved in the sport as a coach at Miyagino stable, guiding younger wrestlers, and also served as a shobu shimpan (bout judge) during tournaments. Notably, he invited members of the Clark Hatch Fitness Center, where he had trained during his active career, to participate in training sessions at Miyagino stable.
3.2. Religious Conversion and Post-Sumo Life
In 1977, Myōbudani made a life-altering decision to convert to Jehovah's Witness, largely influenced by his wife. This conversion had profound implications for his connection to the sumo world. Adhering to the teachings of Jehovah's Witnesses, which prohibit martial arts and view Shinto (which has strong ties to sumo) as a "false religion," Myōbudani came to believe that he could no longer continue his role as a sumo elder in good conscience. Consequently, he left the Japan Sumo Association in January 1977, eight years after his retirement from active competition.
After leaving the sumo world, Myōbudani relocated to Funabashi, where he engaged in missionary work for his faith. To support himself, he also took up employment in a building cleaning service. His personal journey and reasons for leaving sumo to embrace his faith were detailed in the June 8, 1983 issue of the magazine Awake!, published by Jehovah's Witnesses.
4. Legacy and Assessment
Myōbudani Kiyoshi's career left a distinct mark on sumo history, prompting various assessments of his performance and public perception, which continued even after his retirement.
4.1. Historical Significance
Myōbudani holds a unique place in sumo history as one of only two sumo wrestlers (the other being yokozuna Futahaguro) to have made multiple appearances in top division yūshō playoffs without ever securing a championship title. His consistent presence in the sanyaku ranks and his ability to contend for the championship underscore his considerable skill and talent. Despite never reaching ōzeki or yokozuna, his career spanned 88 professional tournaments, with 58 of those in the elite makuuchi division, reflecting a long and impactful presence in the sport's highest echelons.
4.2. Public Perception and Influence
Myōbudani was widely recognized for his imposing physique and signature technique, earning him the nickname "Human Crane" (人間起重機Ningen KijūkiJapanese), a testament to his powerful tsuri-dashi (lift out) technique. An interesting anecdote highlighting his public perception comes from former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. Abe, who was a child in the 1960s during the height of the "Giant, Taihō, Tamagoyaki" (Giants baseball team, Taihō, and scrambled eggs) phenomenon, personally revealed that while he liked scrambled eggs, he was an "anti-Taihō" and "anti-Giants" fan. He recalled rooting for Myōbudani, who was known as a "Taihō Killer" (though with a losing record against him), because Myōbudani was tall and slender, qualities Abe, as a thin child, identified with. Abe further stated that even as an "anti-Taihō" fan, he was always interested in Taihō's matches and watched Myōbudani's bouts against Taihō with bated breath.
5. Death
Myōbudani Kiyoshi passed away on March 10, 2024, at the age of 86, due to old age. His family announced the news and expressed their wish to hold a private funeral, limiting attendance to close family members.
6. Career Statistics and Records
This section details Myōbudani Kiyoshi's comprehensive sumo career statistics, including his overall records, tournament performances, and head-to-head match results against individual opponents.
6.1. Overall Career Statistics
Myōbudani Kiyoshi's professional sumo career encompassed a total of 88 tournaments. His overall record stands at 624 wins, 580 losses, and 6 absences, resulting in a winning percentage of 0.518%. In the top makuuchi division, he competed in 58 tournaments, achieving a record of 414 wins, 450 losses, and 6 absences, with a winning percentage of 0.479%. He spent 13 tournaments in the sanyaku ranks, comprising 5 tournaments as sekiwake and 8 as komusubi. His achievements include participating in two yūshō playoffs, earning 8 special prizes (4 for Outstanding Performance and 4 for Fighting Spirit), 3 Raiden Awards, and securing 3 kinboshi against yokozuna (2 against Taihō and 1 against Sadanoyama). He also won one divisional championship in the jonidan division in March 1955.
6.2. Full Tournament Record by Year
| Year | January Hatsu basho | March Haru basho | May Natsu basho | July Nagoya basho | September Aki basho | November Kyūshū basho |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1954 | Maezumo | Jonokuchi 52e 3-5 | Not held | Jonokuchi 54w 6-2 | Not held | Jonidan 3w 3-0 |
| 1955 | Jonidan 21w 3-5 | Jonidan 25e 8-0 (Jonidan Champion) | Sandanme 47w 5-3 | Not held | Sandanme 25e 5-3 | Not held |
| 1956 | Sandanme 7w 7-1 | Makushita 49e 5-3 | Makushita 42e 6-2 | Not held | Makushita 32e 6-2 | Not held |
| 1957 | Makushita 20e 4-4 | Makushita 19e 5-3 | Makushita 13e 6-2 | Not held | Makushita 3e 5-3 | Jūryō 23w 8-7 |
| 1958 | Jūryō 22w 9-6 | Jūryō 17e 7-8 | Jūryō 18w 11-4 | Jūryō 8e 8-7 | Jūryō 6w 8-7 | Jūryō 6e 6-9 |
| 1959 | Jūryō 9e 9-6 | Jūryō 6e 11-4 | Jūryō 3e 10-5 | Maegashira 18w 7-8 | Jūryō 2w 12-3 | Maegashira 12e 6-9 |
| 1960 | Maegashira 15e 5-10 | Jūryō 2e 6-9 | Jūryō 4w 9-6 | Jūryō 1w 9-6 | Jūryō 1w 10-5 | Maegashira 13e 8-7 |
| 1961 | Maegashira 10e 8-7 | Maegashira 5e 5-10 | Maegashira 9e 7-8 | Maegashira 10w 9-6 | Maegashira 4w 12-3 (Playoff vs. Taihō & Kashiwado) (Fighting Spirit Prize) | Komusubi 2w 6-9 |
| 1962 | Maegashira 4e 6-9 | Maegashira 8e 7-8 | Maegashira 7e 9-6 | Maegashira 3e 2-13 | Maegashira 9w 8-7 | Maegashira 7w 11-4 |
| 1963 | Maegashira 1e 5-10 | Maegashira 3w 5-10 | Maegashira 6w 5-10 | Maegashira 11w 9-6 | Maegashira 6w 8-7 | Maegashira 3w 7-8 |
| 1964 | Maegashira 4w 8-7 | Komusubi 1w 7-8 | Maegashira 1w 7-8 (Kinboshi) | Maegashira 1w 8-7 (Outstanding Performance Prize) (Kinboshi) | Maegashira 1e 8-7 (Fighting Spirit Prize) | Sekiwake 1e 8-7 (Outstanding Performance Prize) |
| 1965 | Sekiwake 1e 9-6 (Outstanding Performance Prize) | Sekiwake 1e 4-11 | Maegashira 4e 11-4 (Runner-up) | Komusubi 1e 4-11 | Maegashira 5e 12-3 (Playoff vs. Sadanoyama & Kashiwado) (Fighting Spirit Prize) | Komusubi 2w 9-6 (Outstanding Performance Prize) |
| 1966 | Komusubi 1w 9-6 | Sekiwake 1w 7-8 | Komusubi 1w 6-9 | Maegashira 2w 5-10 | Maegashira 5e 5-10 | Maegashira 8e 8-7 |
| 1967 | Maegashira 4w 11-4 (Fighting Spirit Prize) | Komusubi 1e 9-6 | Sekiwake 1e 7-8 | Komusubi 2e 7-8 | Maegashira 1w 7-8 | Maegashira 1w 5-10 (Kinboshi) |
| 1968 | Maegashira 6e 7-8 | Maegashira 7w 8-7 | Maegashira 4w 9-6 | Maegashira 2e 4-8-3 (Injured, withdrew from Day 12 with left 10th-11th rib fracture) | Maegashira 7e 11-4 (Runner-up) | Maegashira 2e 5-10 |
| 1969 | Maegashira 5w 6-9 | Maegashira 7e 5-10 | Maegashira 11w 9-6 | Maegashira 7e 7-8 | Maegashira 8e 7-8 | Maegashira 9w 0-12-3 (Retired, withdrew from Day 12 with lower back pain and polyarthralgia) |
Figures in parentheses indicate wins, losses, or absences by default. Sanshō key: F=Fighting Spirit; O=Outstanding Performance; T=Technique. Also shown: *=Kinboshi; P=Playoff(s).
Divisions: Makuuchi - Jūryō - Makushita - Sandanme - Jonidan - Jonokuchi.
Makuuchi ranks: Yokozuna - Ōzeki - Sekiwake - Komusubi - Maegashira.
6.3. Makuuchi Division Match Records Against Individual Opponents
| Wrestler Name | Wins | Losses | Wrestler Name | Wins | Losses | Wrestler Name | Wins | Losses | Wrestler Name | Wins | Losses |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aonohana | 11 | 10 | Asa-arashi | 1 | 0 | Asaoka | 1 | 0 | Asashio (Yonekawa) | 0 | 2 |
| Asasegawa | 7 | 5 | Asanoumi | 2 | 1 | Asanobori | 0 | 3 | Asahikuni | 0 | 3 (1) |
| Atagoyama | 0 | 1 | Amatsukaze | 2 | 4 | Arakiyama | 2 | 1 | Izumino | 1 | 1 |
| Ichinoya | 1 | 0 | Iwakaze | 3 | 5 | Oikawa | 1 | 3 | Oikaze | 4 | 0 |
| Ōgiyama | 4 | 3 | Ōsegawa | 1 (1) | 0 | Ōkō | 3 | 6 | Okanoyama | 2 (1) | 0 |
| Ogionohana | 11 | 5 | Kaio | 1 | 3 | Kaiyama | 2 | 0 | Uminoyama | 11 | 10 (1) |
| Kairyūyama | 13 | 2 | Kashiwado | 1 (1) | 18** | Kazuakira | 1 | 0 | Kinnohana | 6 | 4 |
| Kitanoumi | 3 | 3 | Kitanohana | 0 | 1 | Kitanofuji | 14 | 12 | Kitabayama | 10 | 10 |
| Kimibiki | 1 | 2 | Kiyokuni | 10 | 9 | Kiyosegawa | 3 | 1 | Kiryuugawa | 2 | 1 |
| Kirinji | 4 | 5 | Kunitonokuni | 1 | 0 | Kuriemayama | 0 | 2 | Kuroshishi | 2 | 0 |
| Kurohimeyama | 1 | 1 | Kotetsuyama | 5 | 7 | Kotogahama | 0 | 2 | Kotozakura | 5 | 12 |
| Sakahoko | 0 | 3 | Sadanoyama | 8 | 23 | Sawamitsu | 2 | 2 | Shiokaze | 3 | 3 |
| Shinobuyama | 0 | 1 | Daihō | 7 | 11 | Taihō | 5 | 20* | Daimonji | 2 | 2 |
| Daiyū | 7 | 5 | Dairyuugawa | 0 | 3 | Takanishiki | 1 | 0 | Takamiyama | 4 | 5 |
| Tamaharashi | 2 | 4 | Tamanoumi | 1 | 1 | Tamanoshima | 6 | 12 | Tamahibiki (Shinkawa) | 1 | 2 |
| Tsunenishiki | 7 | 3 | Tsurugamine | 4 | 7 | Dewanishiki | 5 | 5 | Tokitsuyama | 2 | 1 |
| Tokinishiki | 0 | 1 | Tokihabayama | 5 | 2 | Toda | 2 | 0 | Tochiazuma | 4 | 4 |
| Tochiyū | 0 | 1 | Tochioyama | 5 | 3 | Tochinoumi | 4 | 15 | Tochimitsu | 8 | 11 |
| Tochifuji | 1 | 2 | Toyokuni | 9 | 6 | Narutoumi | 1 | 2 | Nariyama | 0 | 1 |
| Nishikino | 0 | 2 | Hagurogawa | 5 | 4 | Haguroyama | 3 | 3 | Hasegawa | 8 | 5 |
| Hanada | 1 | 0 | Hanamitsu | 5 | 6 | Fukudayama | 1 | 2 | Fukunohana | 9 | 2 |
| Fusenishiki | 3 | 3 | Fujinishiki | 13 | 10 | Fujinokawa | 4 | 2 | Futagoyama | 4 | 2 |
| Futatsuryu | 0 | 2 | Hoshikabuto | 0 | 1 | Maedagawa | 9 | 3 | Maenoyama | 2 | 5 |
| Matsuho | 2 | 4 | Mienoumi | 1 | 0 | Misogitori | 1 | 4 | Miyanohana | 1 | 0 |
| Yutakayama | 9 | 21 | Kichioyama | 0 | 1 | Yoshinohana | 6 | 5 | Ryūko | 2 | 1 |
| Wakasugiyama | 4 | 3 | Wakaichigo | 7 | 1 | Wakatenryu | 5 | 3 | Wakanami | 10 | 5 |
| Wakanaruto | 1 | 1 | Wakanoumi | 5 | 3 | Wakanokuni | 3 | 6 | Wakanosu | 1 | 0 |
| Wakanohana (1st) | 0 | 1 | Wakaburo | 6 | 1 | Wakabayama | 2 | 0 | Wakafutase | 1 | 4 |
| Wakamiyama | 5 | 2 | Wakamiyama | 12 | 5 |
Notes: Parentheses indicate wins/losses by fusen-shō (win by default) or fusen-pai (loss by default). ** Indicates 18 losses and 1 win in regular bouts, plus 2 losses in championship playoffs against Kashiwado. * Indicates 20 losses and 5 wins in regular bouts against Taihō, plus 1 loss in a championship playoff.
7. Shikona (Ring Name) Changes
Myōbudani Kiyoshi underwent eleven changes to his shikona (ring name) during his career, a notably high number.
- Myōbudani Kiyoshi (明歩谷 清Myōbudani KiyoshiJapanese): March 1954 - May 1959; November 1959 - March 1961; September 1963 - November 1963
- Myōbudani Seinosuke (明歩谷 清之輔Myōbudani SeinosukeJapanese): July 1959 - September 1959
- Myōbudani Kiyoshi (明武谷 清Myōbudani KiyoshiJapanese): May 1961 - March 1962
- Myōbudani Iwao (明武谷 巖Myōbudani IwaoJapanese): May 1962 - November 1962
- Yoshibanada Kazuhiro (吉葉洋 一覺Yoshibanada KazuhiroJapanese): January 1963 - July 1963. This name was adopted in honor of his stablemaster, Yoshibayama.
- Myōbudani Rikinobu (明武谷 力伸Myōbudani RikinobuJapanese): January 1964 - January 1965; November 1965 - September 1966
- Myōbudani Noritaka (明武谷 憲尚Myōbudani NoritakaJapanese): March 1965 - September 1965
- Myōbudani Ōki (明武谷 皇毅Myōbudani ŌkiJapanese): November 1966 - March 1968
- Myōbudani Yasuhiko (明武谷 保彦Myōbudani YasuhikoJapanese): May 1968 - November 1969 (Retirement)
Out of his eleven name changes, ten were variations of his birth name. Only the "Yoshibanada" shikona (used from January to July 1963) represented a significant departure. The other ten changes involved only minor alterations to the given name or a single character change between "明歩谷" (Myōhodani) and "明武谷" (Myōbudani), which are pronounced similarly. This characteristic of his name changes suggests that, for the most part, he adhered closely to his birth name, making his case a notable example for the study of birth-name-based shikona.
Despite having eleven name changes, Myōbudani's record is generally not recognized as the most frequent for a makuuchi wrestler. This is because most of his changes were so minor, effectively retaining the same identity. The record for the most shikona changes for a makuuchi wrestler is typically attributed to Seiōtō Yūji, who had nine distinct name changes.