Career
He made his professional debut in March 1999, an entry class that also included ōzeki Kotomitsuki, komusubi Takamisakari and former maegashira Wakakirin. He initially fought under his own surname of Murakami, switching to Hananosato in January 2000. Following this his progress faltered and he was in the fourth sandanme division from March 2006 until September 2007, and again from July to September 2008 after he was forced to pull out of the May 2008 tournament with an injury after only one bout.
He fell to sandanme again in July 2009.
At just 114 kg, very light for a sumo wrestler, he seemed to lack the weight necessary to make it to the top. In January 2010, he managed to again gain promotion to the makushita division, but after struggling again in this division he announced his retirement at the end of the May 2010 tournament.
Hananosato"s most common winning kimarite or technique was yori-kiri, or force out, but he was also fond of throws, both the underarm throw, shitatenage, and the overarm throw, uwatenage.