Yokozuna
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Yokozuna of Dohyo no Deshi Koda Yataro | |
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Yokozuna of Dohyo no Deshi | |
Reign | 19 June 2014 – present |
Promotion | 19 June 2014 |
Predecessor | Hisakawa Taki |
Ozeki | Okita Rkuemon (East) Yamazaki Yoshinobu (West) |
Born | 30 August 1985 |
Religion | Shinto |
Yokozuna is the highest rank in the Sumo Class and the highest office of Dohyo no Deshi. The name means "horizontal rope" and comes from the most visible symbol of their authority, the rope worn around the waist. The Yokozuna acts as both the head of state and the ceremonial leader of Dohyo society within the civil space. He is defined as "the symbol of the ring and of the strength of the people." Since the inception of the sumo society hierarchy within the Dohyo civilization, there have been 71 Yokozunas. While the role of the Yokozuna is of high regard and power, the way to the position is rigorous and unforgiving. Due to the kraterocractic nature of sumo society, like most of the upper ranks the only way one achieves the esteemed office of Yokozuna is to unseat the current Yokozuna. Due to this the average tenure of a Yokozuna rarely exceeds 15 years. However, unlike the rest of the ranks, the Yokozuna does not have compete regularly in order to maintain the rank and instead only when challenged which may be done from anyone at a San'yaku position or higher at any time. While the Yokozuna has been historically and in the modern world a man, one woman, Morita Ritsuko, has assumed the position. The current Yokozuna is Koda Yataro who has reigned since 2014 after defeating Yokozuna Hisakawa Taki. Yokozuna Yataro has been challenged 7 times and emerged victorious each time.