Daisaku Yamaguchi joined sumo out of junior high school in March 1986, in the era of the yokozuna Futahaguro and Hokutoumi, and one year before his future stablemaster, the 7th Tatsunami elder, former komusubi, Asahiyutaka.

In 2016, both Hanakaze and Hokutōryū simultaneously became the longest serving sumo wrestlers ever, passing the largely uninterrupted, nearly 30-year career set by the legendary Miyagino Nishikinosuke (active 1766–1796, a contemporary of Tanikaze, historically accepted as the sport's first documented yokozuna).

[5] He was also the last remaining active wrestler who began his career in the Shōwa era, which ended in January 1989.

[1] He reached another milestone in the following May tournament, when he passed already retired Ichinoya to become the oldest wrestler since the beginning of the Shōwa era, which began in 1926.

[2] His stablemaster attributed his longevity to his "abundance of spiritual power and physical durability" and commented "the important duties in our communal kitchen make him irreplaceable".

Former yokozuna Kitanofuji has reportedly said, "If you can’t climb any higher than the third division, you’re better off quitting and returning home to the countryside.

[9] Hanakaze’s most common winning kimarite were uwatenage (overarm throw) hatakikomi (slap down) and yorikiri (force out).

[10] Sanshō key: F=Fighting spirit; O=Outstanding performance; T=Technique     Also shown: ★=Kinboshi; P=Playoff(s) Divisions: Makuuchi — Jūryō — Makushita — Sandanme — Jonidan — Jonokuchi