Futabayama's Granddaughter Tells His Story at His Old School: 'Over 200 Love Letters a Day'
Actress Tsuguyo Akiyoshi, 54, granddaughter of the great yokozuna Futabayama (1912–68), held a reading of his life story on Nov 2 at his old school, Amatsu Elementary in Usa, Oita, Yomiuri Shimbun Online reports. About 100 local residents joined the pupils.
Using slides of photos and bout footage, she described how Futabayama hurt his right eye and right little finger in childhood accidents, reluctantly entered a sumo tournament in Nakatsu, starred, and went on to win 69 straight from 1936 to 1939. The children gasped when she said he received 'over 200 love letters a day.' She also told how he defied custom with a love marriage to his wife Sumiko. 'I think it was Futabayama who built the foundation of today's sumo,' she said. 'I want to keep passing it on.'