Making his debut in 1953, he wrestled for Takasago stable, home of then yokozuna Azumafuji to whom the "Fuji" part of his shikona referred.

He first entered the top makuuchi division in 1959 and was runner-up in two tournaments that year, winning a special prize for Fighting Spirit in each.

He never managed to win more than eight bouts as a komusubi but was somewhat unlucky not be promoted after two consecutive 8–7 records at the rank in 1961, and he was regarded as certainly being of sekiwake level in ability.

His tsukebito or personal attendant was Hawaiian born Takamiyama, later to become the first foreigner to win a championship, and Fujinishiki was one of the wrestlers who helped introduce him to sumo and Japanese culture.

However, after his wrestler Tōki was involved in a car accident that killed a pedestrian in December 2000, he was punished by a demotion and a reduction in salary.

His second eldest son Akihiro was once the personal manager of yokozuna Asashoryu (who was criticized for failing to attend Fujinishiki's funeral).