Nakanokuchi, Niigata

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Nakanokuchi (中之口村, Nakanokuchi-mura^?) was a village located in Nishikanbara District, Niigata, Japan. In March 2005, Nakanokuchi was amalgamated into the city of Niigata. Starting April 1, 2007, the area is part of Nishikan-ku ward.

As of 2005, the village had an estimated population of 6,613 and a density of 328.03 persons per km². The total area was 20.16 km².

[edit] Sumo Champion

The village is the birthplace of Haguroyama Masaji (羽黒山 政司, November 18, 1914 - October 14, 1969) who was sumo's 36th yokozuna. Haguroyama earned the rank in May 1941 and held the title for twelve years and three months. It remains an all-time record today.

During his career Haguroyama won seven top division championships and was runner-up on six other occasions.

In Nakanokuchi, there is a museum dedicated to Haguroyama and a bronze statue of the famous wrestler wearing his shimenawa[1] (knotted rope indicating his rank as yokozuna).