[Oshi-dashi'd Message]opening of the first kokugikan (fwd)

[Basten <cbasten@statgen.ncsu.edu>]

---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Mon, 30 Jul 2001 22:48:09 +1000
From: rowan klein <rowank@onthenet.com.au>
To: sumo@sun01pt2-1523.statgen.ncsu.edu
Subject: opening of the first kokugikan

there were a couple of articles about the opening of the first kokugikan,
this was my favourite. If only there were so many keen fans these days.

The Japan Times, Wednesday 16th June 1909 (Page 3)

THE NATIONAL GAME AMPHITHEATRE.

        Wrestling matches at the National Game Amphitheatre, Ryogoku, which
commenced on the 5th inst. came to an end on Monday. The matches were a
great success, the house being filled everyday with the spectators to
overflowing. How the house was crowded every day can be imagined from the
story that on morning a man unable to get a ticket cried in good faith:-
"Why not build a larger house?"
    The champion flag was won by the east camp which has Hitachiyama at its
head. It may be remembered that Hitachiyama made a tour in America and
Europe last year. On the third day this season, Hitachiyama was beaten by
Tachiyama, captain of the west camp, when a scene of commotion was
witnessed in the house. The spectators were so much excited by the issue
that sake bottles, lunch boxes, cushions, etc. were thrown down from the
galleries. Many casualties were produced and some arrests made. The day set
up a bad example, for events for events of the same sort took place
afterwards on several occasions. Indeed, the police had since a busy time
in order to keep order in the house. On the last day a match arranged
between Umegatani, leader of the west camp, and Hitachiyama. The match,
however, ended in a draw to the disappointment, or expectation of the
spectators, for, to own the truth, it was only a pre-arranged affair. There
were two who were never beaten during the whole session - Umegatani of the
west, and Takamiyama, of the east.
    Last Sunday being the last day but one, the house was specially crowded.
    People eager to buy tickets began to crowd the booking office from 3
o'clock in the morning. Crowd after crowd thronged round the house and at
dawn one could not move an inch in the concourse which occupied all the
open ground in front of the house. Many accidents took place, of course.
One of them had a touch of comedy. A man was just lucky enough to buy a
ticket and was waiting for his change with his face close to the window at
the booking office. The man received a push from behind and staggered
forward when his head went just through the wicket. The size of the wicket
was just large enough to hold the head. When he tried to draw back,
however, his chin would not yield to the demand. The poor man had a hard
time of it. The crowd behind continued to push. He was thus kept for one
hour and it was not until the head had been severely injured that he was
relieved.