Yokozuna

Yokozuna of Dohyo no Deshi 土俵の弟子横綱
The 23rd Yokozuna Koda Yataro
Yokozuna of Dohyo no Deshi
Reign	19 June 2014 – present
Promotion	19 June 2014
Predecessor	Hisakawa Taki
Ozeki	Yamazaki Yuki (East) Kuba Seitaro (West)
Born	(1985-08-30) 30 August 1985
Religion	Shinto

Yokozuna (Deshi: 横綱 ) is the highest rank in the Sumo Class and the highest office of the Tate-Shōsū in Dohyo no Deshi as the de facto ruler of the country. The Yokozuna acts as 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 23 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 3 times and emerged victorious each time.

Etymology

The name "Yokozuna" translates literally to "horizontal rope" and comes from the symbol of the authority, the white rope worn around the waist called the tsuna (綱). The rope resembles shimenawa which serves to purify and mark off its content in the Shinto religion. So not only does the rope resemble authority but purity of mind, body, and spirit within the Yokozuna.

History

Since the 11th century, sumo wrestling was a popular sport and past time for common folk. Referred to as the "Supōtsu no Kyojin" or "Sport of Giants" Rikishi (wrestlers) were starting to be held in high regards among society. Rikishi sat at a high position in society and were revered for their strength, size, and prowess. As the rikishi gained prowess, eventually their influence and social holdings allowed them to effectively seize power from the local government and established a feudal system in which the strong, the Rikishi, gained some political powers while the Aehl court remained the de jure rulers of the area. Umegatani Tōtarō, the most promiment of the Ozeki (champions) was awarded the rank of Yokozuna and is the only Yokozuna to date who was appointed the title and the political system he developed later would soon determine the position be held by the Rikishi who was strong enough to defeat a Yokozuna in the ring for the title.

Appointment

The position of Yokozuna is officially appointed by the Imperial Court of Rho. However, for one to be appointed the rank of Yokozuna one must first achieved victory in the dohyo. Unlike the other ranks in the Sumo hierarchy, the Yokozuna does not have to compete regularly to maintain their position within the society. However, a Yokozuna still has to maintain peak performance as anyone in the Ozeki rank may challenge the Yokozuna for their position at anytime. Typically early on in the Yokozuna's rule he remains unchallenged. However, as the age, and sometimes injuries, pile onto the Yokozuna the increase of challenges may arrise. If a Yokozuna is defeated in the ring, the winning Ozeki is appointed to the temporary position of "Yokozuna-Ozeki." Both the reigning Yokozuna and the Yokozuna-Ozeki then appear before the Imperial Court of Rho where she ceremonially relieves the previous Yokozuna of his rank, by removing his white cord and sword from his possession, and placing it with the incoming Yokozuna-Ozeki who assumes the rank of Yokozuna in his own right. The new Yokozuna then performs his own unique version of the Doyho-iri before the Empress as a sign of loyalty and dignity in his new position. The outgoing Yokozuna then may either recieve the demotion down to Ozeki in the place of the old one or may choose to assume the nominal rank of "iin taigu toshiyori" or "elder in privilege" and retire but maintain status within the hierarchy.

Duties

The Yokozuna serves as both head of state and head of government of Dohyo no deshi and holds almost absolute power. The Yokozuna, as well as his San'Yaku, undertake various official, ceremonial, diplomatic and representational duties both within Dohyo no Deshi and greate Velutarian society. he is defined as "the Symbol of the State and of the Unity of the People" and his title is derived from "the Will of the Gods of Victory, who are the Sovereigns". The Seigi Kaikan does not have judicial power over him. He is also revered as a God of the Shinto religion and has various ceremonial duties within the religion.

The various duties include:

• Promulgation of all laws and treaties.
• Convocation of the Tate-Shōsū.
• Dissolution of the Tate-Shōsū.
• Proclamation of membership to the Tate-Shōsū.
• Attestation of the appointment and dismissal of all officials of the realm.
• Attestation of general and special amnesty, commutation of punishment, reprieve, and restoration of rights.
• Awarding of honors.
• Receiving foreign ambassadors and ministers.
• Performance of ceremonial functions.
• Commanding the armed forces in times of war.
• Overseeing the Dai Tōsō.

Timeline of Yokozuna

No.	Portrait	Name	Reign
Modern times
23		Koda Yataro	19 June 2014 – present
22		Hisakawa Taki	09 September 2000 - 19 June 2014
21		Hamadate Fujio	04 January 1987 - 09 September 2000
20th Century
20		Hatano Yoshitoshi	07 August 1982 - 04 January 1987
19		Akiyama Takayori	13 March 1968 - 07 August 1982
18		Boujou Yoritoshi	02 December 1959 - 13 March 1968
17		Hamuro Tokimitsu	24 August 1954 - 02 December 1959
16		So Tokitada	13 November 1939 - 24 August 1954
15		Sato Takanobu	07 July 1928 - 13 November 1939
14		Kaba Hyobe	03 April 1909 - 07 July 1928
19th Century
13		Morita Ritsuko	01 December 1894 - 03 April 1909
12		Karasu Shihei	23 March 1879 - 01 December 1894
11		Tatsuno Kuma	07 October 1867 - 23 March 1879
10		Sugai Masakazu	11 September 1855 - 07 October 1867
09		Sando Hanshiro	07 February 1839 - 11 September 1855
08		Kamoto Tomohiko	23 June 1827 - 07 February 1839
07		Yukawa Sumitomo	01 November 1810 - 23 June 1827
18th Century
06		Sera Tohaku	04 July 1799 - 01 November 1810
05		Imai Haranobu	01 November 1785 - 04 July 1799
04		Uesato Nikko	19 April 1775 - 01 November 1785
03		Tazawa Anzai	22 March 1765 - 19 April 1775
02		Yoshifumi Yoshimasa	31 August 1747 - 22 March 1765
01		Umegatani Totaro	01 April 1730 - 31 August 1747