He was born Yamato Daigorō (山田 大五郎) in Ama District, Aichi Prefecture, in what is now Yatomi City.

There are several conflicting sources as to his specific birth date in 1883, and he later changed his surname to Torii (鳥井) He started sumo in Kyoto in 1898, later moving to Osaka.

The reason for his promotion to yokozuna was cited as being because of his great dignity.

[1] He fought in eight tournaments as yokozuna, retiring after the January 1922 basho.

Key:d=Draw(s) (引分);   h=Hold(s) (預り) Divisions: Makuuchi — Jūryō — Makushita — Sandanme — Jonidan — Jonokuchi *Championships for the best record in a tournament were not recognised or awarded in Osaka sumo before its merger with Tokyo sumo, and the unofficial championships above are historically conferred.