b'C E L E B R I T Y S P O T L I G H T I N T E R V I E W Yoshinori Tashiro Sumo wrestler-actor-model-business executiveB orn in Tokyo in 1976, Yoshinori Tashiro served as a professional Sumo wrestler with the stage name Katsunori Tosakurama.His highest rank was seventh in the West Makushita Division before retiring from professional Sumo wrestling. Tashiro has been featured in numerous TV commercials and programs as a Rikishi (Sumo wrestler). He has appeared in Vogue magazine, the Indian film SUMO, and John Wick 4 starring Keanu Reeves, which was recently released in theaters worldwide.Q: How did you become interested in Sumo wrestling when you began at age eight,and what does your nickname Tououyama ) mean?A: My parents encouraged me to take up sports because I was a head taller and grew up faster than the other children from a young age. At the elementary school I attended at the time, there was a Sumo club that held tournaments, and I heard that if you participated, you could eat chan-konabe, a type of stew that Sumo wrestlers consume. I joined the club to eat the chankonabe, which is high in protein and made up of broth with meat, fish, vegetables, and whatever else can be found in the kitchen. Regarding the name Tououyama in Sumo tradition, there is a unique naming called a Shiko name (), and each Sumo wrestler will choose either their own name or select a Shiko name. The reason I chose Tououyama is because the Master (Oyakata) of the Sumo Stable I belonged to was called Tochiazuma (), and the character Higashi () is often used for hisapprentices. Also, Higashi () means east and is where the sun rises, so it is good luck in Japan. The name of the place where my alma mater is located isSakurayama (meaning Cherry Blossom Mountain ), andTOUHOUYAMAmy mothers hometown is in Iwate Prefecture, where there isTou(Higashi) = Easta place called Higashi Sakurayama(). So, the nameOu(Sakura) = Cherry BlossomHigashi Sakurayama honors my heritage and my Sumo Stable. Yama(Yama) = MountainQ: How much would you eat andQ: What was your experience like filming John Wick 4? exercise each day during yourAre you a fan of both Japanese and American action movies? Sumo competition years? A: Since retiring from Sumo, I have appeared in TV commercials and advertisements, mainly in A: I would wake up at around 5:30Japan. Internationally, I worked as a model in the U.S. for the fashion magazine Vogue in 2017, am and start practicing at 6. We hadstarred in an Indian movie in 2019, and appeared in a Chinese movie in 2020. Considering my about four hours of morning trainingpost-professional Sumo work experience, a casting director contacted me through my social daily, including practice matches,networking site. Now I am appearing in John Wick 4! Japanese action movies are usually historical preparatory exercises, basic exercis- dramas with classic samurai warriors and sword fighting being the main type of action. I enjoy es, and training for initiatives. Thenwatching movies, especially action movies. Among American action movies, I love The Matrix and we would take a short break andJohn Wick. It was a dream come true to be a part of John Wicks world. I havent seen the movie return to the gym around 4 pm andyet, but Im psyched to see it!continue with other exercises - like stair climbing - for another 2 hours. For days off, I only had one week off after each main tournament, with competitions held six times a year. The rest of the time, I practiced Sumo-related training every day. We usually skipped breakfast, lunch was at 11 after practice, and dinner was in the evening. So, Id eat two meals per day. Gaining weight is a requirement for success in Sumo wrestling, so eating a lot of chanko-nabe was good for us.Above Left: Tashiro on set with actor Keanu Reeves. Right: Tashiro in action in John Wick 4.18 visionsSummer 2023 Sumitomo Corporation of Americas'