The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1869-06-18
Later from JapaH---A Wrestling
Matci--Tfie Champions.

Correspondence Of the Boston Traveller.
KOBE, JAPAN. April lion Sunday, the
day after our arrival, the Governor sent All
invitation to the American vessels to attend
q wrestling match the following day.
In large vacant lot near the Governors
palace, at OSaca, was Il sort Of raised circus
ring, covered by q shed, the pillars Of which
were wrapped in red and white paper, spi-
rally arranged, like BARRIERS pole. At Il
little distance on one side was another ele-
waited stand, which appeared to be the place
of honor, since ! saw there the American
consul and Dr.. Ii. among great crowd of
Japanese officials. In front Of and between
these and the ring were Il number of chairs,
also occupied by japanese officers. Finding
that we were late and that all the seats were
occupied already, we selected a Standing
place and prepared to view the performance
1t ease.
JAPANESE GOVERNOR.
Presently approached no less q person
than Ito, the Governor himself, shook
hands with lis all, addressed lis in excellent
English made Il lot Of FacannS get out Of
their chairs and bring them to us, sent for
tables, sherry, champagne, and cigars, and
sat down by, and entertained, Us during the
three hours which we stayed. He was as
courteous gentleman as | have ever met.
Ito was once Prince Satsuma's servant
sailing vessel. There he learned English
quite well, and by his talents and applca-
ton has since risen to his present position
Such advancement is rare in japan, where
occupations descend from father to son, and
the son of Il servant will surely remain II
servant to the end of his generation unless
his extraordinary talents and extraordinary
opportunities for exhibiting them enable
HIM TO rise. ...
WRESTLING MATCH.
The performances themselves are very
raised to about the level Of the eye of IL
man sitting i'll chair, is made of fine sand.
An officer, provided with fan of a peculiar
shape, presidcs over the contests, and places
the combatants, giving the signal of attack
by turning his fan over and urging them on
with shouts and cries. The wrestlers are
seated In two parties, one, on either side OF
the raised platform, and before a match, Il
fellow with fan i'll his hand comes up from
one side, SquatS down, opens his fan, and
cries, with every evidence of internal pres
sure, i'll high singing voice, the name OF
the wrestler on his side. A like perform
ance is gone through with from the other
side, and then the heralds salute with thelf
fans and retire. The cOmbatants enter the
lists together, stop at the outer cage ano
salute, while the master Of ceremonies pro-
claims their names again. They then PICK
upa little sand and throw it into the air.
raise their hands and get Oft Il little prayer,
and each goes to his own corner and takes :
mouthful of water, which he atomlZes by
some egerdemain, and spirits all over him
self.
Bv the water-ladle hangs little basket of
salt. few particles ofwhich he sprinkleS Oh
the ground, and begins to snort and below
like a bull, to stamp around the mclosure,
and to try the suppleness of his muscles i'll
various ways. He is clad only in q very
long blue scarf, which passes around his
waist several times, and subserveS such de-
cency as Japanese morality requires. After
more than suticicncy of these perform
;nces, the opponents finally squat opposite
each other in the middle of the arena, look
ing as unconcerncd as they can the while.
Presently one pushes the other over on his
back. and to show there is no ill feeling,
brushes the sand from his bare limbs as he
rises. This is Il false start, SO the. entire
programme of drinking, salt sprinkling,
Believing, &C., has to be gone through with
again, perhaps several times over, but finally
the contest begins, and during the time il
lasts is sufficiently interesting. -
But it only lasts about five seconds, at the
end Of which one Is thrown out of the ring
and retires defeated, while the other squats
at his end Of the ring and raises his right
arm, while his name is intoned again by the
master Of ceremonies. .....t!s..
THE CHAMPION OF JAPAN.
The Governor explained to me that the
poorest wrestlers came first, and the quality
OF the contests would improve as the eXhi-
bition proceeded. So, after looking on
awhile we went to see the second strongest
man in Japan-an immensely fat fellow,
with big belly and great dew-laps hanging
from his jaws. He took great fancy to
my cane, and asked me if thought twould
support his weight. did not think it
would. From him we went to see the
champion Fi-ma-ku, who is the strongest
man In Japan. He was tall fellow, hea-
yiiy built, weighing, should think, about
three hundred and fifty pounds, with deep
bass voice, great dignity of manner, and a
peculiarly rich, fruity laugh. After seeing
MS points and talking to him for awhile, we
went back to the lists, where the contests
were taking new character, the winner in
u nnt i1gat holding the ring against all corners
c.ss;" thesc there was 4 most solemn pro-
"'-'t' u lIue boys, gorgeously dressed in