Akashi Shiganosuke

Akashi Shiganosuke (Japanese明石 志 贺 之 助; * 1600 in Tochigi Prefecture ();? † around 1649) was a legendary sumo wrestler, whose historical existence is not protected, but is considered the first yokozuna.

Akashi said to have received the name yokozuna awarded for the first time, however, he was allegedly awarded posthumously. One of several legends According to Akashi is also considered the inventor of Tsuna, the thick rope around his waist, the sign of the dignity of Grand Master is to this day by having them worn as a sign of respect for Tennō. However, contradicted by the fact that there are no known depictions of wrestlers with Tsuna of that time. The earliest such images show the yokozuna after 1789.

Since the records in Sumō start later, the life data, and even the very existence of Akashi are not used. At least his alleged height of 2.30 m would be quite unlikely for a medieval Japanese, especially since the height of his countrymen at that time was an average of 1.57 m. Nevertheless, he is officially out today as the first yokozuna by the Japanese Sumōverband.