The Wakanohana Story: Devil of the Dohyo - 1956 Sumo Wrestling Menko Cards

These are definitely a first for sumo wrestling menko cards.  Up until now, I have never discovered any promotional items for sumo wrestling movies.  There certainly have been a few for TV shows, but this is the first movie one.  In 1956, the Nikatsu Company released a movie base on the true story of Wakanohana's life.  The title of the movie was called "The Wakanohana Story - Devil of the Dohyo". At this point in Wakanohana's career he had just been promoted to Ozeki, but was well on his way to Yokozuna.  He was by far the most popular wrestler of the time with his skill, speed, and good looks.  People were eating up anything and everything made or printed about Wakanohana.  M-series menko had reached their popularity peak in 1956 so it made sense that this medium would be used to promote the movie.  There were two menko cards made for promotional events and are shown below.  Wakanohana was promoted to Yokozuna in 1958 and retired in 1962 with a changing the guard to sumo's new hero, the great Taiho.  He eventually headed the Sumo Association from 1988-1992 and passed away in 2010.