The real Devil of the Dohyō plays himself in this 84-minute flex.
A film about sumo wrestler Wakanohana Kanji I. He was nicknamed "Devil of the dohyo" due to his excellent fighting spirit and endurance.
Practical Effects
Actual yokozuna Wakanohana performing his own brutal throws.
Production
1950s sumo stables captured with documentary-level authenticity.
Director
Kenjirō Morinaga
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Wakanohana Kanji I was the first wrestler to win 10 top-division championships while never achieving yokozuna rank—he played himself at 35, already retired from injury.
Released during Japan's post-war sumo boom, the film helped cement the 'fighting spirit' (konjō) narrative that defined national sports cinema for decades.
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