However, he never progressed beyond the jonidan division and in 1884 he joined the rival Tokyo-based association with another trainee of Inagawa, Kaizan [ja].

[3] He rose steadily up the rankings and made his debut in san'yaku in 1890, winning the championship in his first tournament in this position.

However, Yahatayama began to suffer numerous injuries, including dislocated knees, as a result of his flamboyant style.

He later ran a bathhouse in Hiratsuka (Kanagawa Prefecture), but this was in violation of the rules of the association, so he closed down his business and definitively retired.

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 recognized or awarded before the 1909 summer tournament and the above championships that are labelled "unofficial" are historically conferred.