[2] He was initially given the shikona, or ring name, Midorimatsu (緑松) but changed it in 1837 to inherit his final name of Koyanagi (小柳), which had previously been borne by his master.

In 1843, he obtained the patronage of the Tokushima Domain, but the latter did not renew its protection for the following years, leaving Koyanagi without an influential protector for the rest of his career.

In 1854, Western ships arrived at Uraga, Kanagawa and Koyanagi was sent with the Japanese delegation to welcome Commander Matthew C. Perry, wrestling with sailors in an exhibition tournament.

[3][4] Koyanagi was also involved in the first recorded boxing matches of Japan, being ordered to fight a boxer and a wrestler from the United States who accompanied Perry.

[3] In July 2021, the Ichihara, Chiba museum presented a collection of objects linked to Koyanagi, including clay menko in his effigy.