Japan Times advert and an old sumo article

["Jezz S" <jejima@hotmail.com>]

In today's Japan Times there is an advert for tickets for the January Basho. 
 The rikishi accompanying the advert is Asashoryu.  They seem to expect a 
high demand (!), as there is a max of 12 tickets per person allowed, and the 
small print reads 'In case demand for tickets exceeds availability, the 
number of tickets offered may be below the number ordered (eg 8 tickets --> 
4 tickets offered.)'.  One thing that amuses me with this advert, is that is 
lists the start time as 9 am, and the finish time as 6 pm, with no other 
explanations.  I can imagine a group of foreigners turning up at 9 am, and 
finding themselves quite lonely in the kokugikan... and being even more 
surprised that they are not allowed to leave (say for lunch), if they intend 
on returning ;-)

I was flicking through a back issue of Sumo World (March 2002 - Tochiazuma 
predicted to win the Yusho, and become the next Yokozuna ;-) today (BTW has 
anyone overseas received their SWs as promised by Clyde on air??!!??), and 
re-read the following article, which as it is between basho, I thought I 
would copy, and send to the list.  As the article was originally printed on 
February 1st 1867 in the now defunct magazine 'The Illustrated London News', 
I believe I am safe from any copyright infringements ;-)

Naturally I have corrected the spelling errors that are found in SW's 
version (I haven't changed the grammar - although that too seems very iffy 
in places, with missing articles etc)....

'A Japanese Wrestling Match'

Our correspondent in Japan, Mr C. Wirgman, supplies the sketch we have 
engraved, representing the exhibition of a wrestling match by professional 
gymnasts in the city of Osaka, where this kind of entertainment is next in 
popularity to the clever theatrical performances which were the subject of 
his last contribution:-

"The wrestling at Osaka is exhibited under an enormous mat shed, filled with 
people.  In the centre is a raised mound of earth, forming a platform under 
a canopy.  There is a bucket of water on one side, a wooden ladle , and a 
little basket of salt.  The contending performers begin the operation by 
going to the bucket of water, and rinsing their mouths; then they take a 
pinch of salt, and rub it into their arms and on their chests to purify 
themselves.  After these ceremonies, they advance and squat down opposite 
each other; they take a piece of straw, grass, or twig, and break it in two 
between them.  They then put themselves into the positions assumed by frogs, 
and with their hands give tremendous slaps on their thighs, and stretch 
their muscles to the utmost; after which they pretend to wrestle.  But 
instead of continuing the struggle, they soon retire, and go in for water 
and salt.  They repeat the frog movements, and pretend to go at the 
wrestling again; but suddenly they want more salt and water.  Perhaps one of 
them manifests a great predilection for one of the posts, and pulls at it, 
and goes more salt and water.  After a great deal of this work, they begin 
really to wrestle, and he who throws the other outside the ring is 
proclaimed victor.  The people then go mad and throw money wrapped in paper 
to the hero of the encounter.  This is an occasion for excitement.  After 
some time, another couple come on; and so it continues till evening.  The 
umpire then reads the names of those who are going to act next day, amidst 
the loud applause of the spectators; and the finale consists in whole corps 
coming in, naked to the waist, but wearing magnificent aprons and clapping 
their hands, three times as they stand in a circle."

Assuming that the above article was an accurate description of sumo at the 
time, would anyone (expert or otherwise) care to comment on the following 
points...?

a)  I though that sumo at that time was in the open air ('10 days of clement 
weather') - so was Osaka different?  Was that place a purpose built sumo 
stadium?  (The etching accompanying the article depicts a large permanent 
looking structure.)

b)  Was the salt really primarily for body purification and not dohyo 
purification (as it is now - although some rikishi do currently sprinkle 
salt on bits of their body to 'prevent injury')?

c)  Breaking twigs / grass (wow scary!) / straw in the dohyo?!  Why, and 
when did it stop?

d)  'Pretend' wrestles before the real one?  Is this true?  Or is it just a 
Takanonami type matta?

e)  When was the money throwing stopped?

f)  The 'dohyo-iri' (or should that be 'dohyo-de'?) at the END of the day's 
entertainment?  What was going on there?

g)  'Perhaps one of them manifests a great predilection for one of the 
posts...' - does this worry you, as much as it worries me?

I look forward to reading any answers (serious or otherwise) on the above 
;-)

All the best,

Jejima




_________________________________________________________________
MSN 8 with e-mail virus protection service: 2 months FREE* 
http://join.msn.com/?page=features/virus