Born in Shibata, he attended the Tokyo University of Agriculture, and in amateur sumo earned the Collegiate Yokozuna title. He made his professional debut at the age of 23 in May 1961, joining Tokitsukaze stable, run by the former "yokozuna" great Futabayama. Due to his amateur achievements he was given "makushita tsukedashi" status and began in the third "makushita" division, fighting under his real name of Uchida. He reached the second "jūryō" division in three tournaments and after winning the "jūryō" division "yūshō" or championship with a perfect 15–0 score in November 1961 he was promoted to the top "makuuchi" division.