Born Fukuma Takahashi (高橋 福馬), he had a very large build from a young age.

When he was registered for military service at age twenty he measured in at 181 centimeters tall and weighed 80 kilograms.

When he joined the Kokura artillery battery, his size was noticed by his commanding officer and he was released from service to enter professional sumo.

The expectations placed on Takahashi when he debuted in sumo are clear from his initial shikona or ring name of Kuganishiki Fukuma (陸錦 福馬) that he was given.

From his entry into sumo in January 1915, he lived up to these expectations and rose steadily through the ranks.

Ironically, he would miss his entire first tournament at ōzeki due to a bout of influenza.

Sanshō key: F=Fighting spirit; O=Outstanding performance; T=Technique     Also shown: ★=Kinboshi; P=Playoff(s) Divisions: Makuuchi — Jūryō — Makushita — Sandanme — Jonidan — Jonokuchi Key:d=Draw(s) (引分);   h=Hold(s) (預り) Divisions: Makuuchi — Jūryō — Makushita — Sandanme — Jonidan — Jonokuchi