Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-11-26
YREsTLERS INJAPAN.
. Tale of Five-and-Twenty Giants OF
skill and savage Strength.
E.n,n KoMseAoId Worda.

Sk1Il anu 80 - - - -
From HousehoJd Words.
t.nau produces men OF barbaric pro-
..io,s and of almost fabulous size and
t..ouutn: and, with due appreciation OF
'ho f.ness OF means to an end. these
",arts are set apart and trained for
s.s,lers. Bat here is the story as we
eno II from travellers lips: Five-and-
.roptv human monsters come tramping
LANG ike so many elephants. They are
,cormouslv tall in stature, and immense
- weight OF flesh. They are not encum-
tnrsd with clOtnin@, wearing round the
,Sins . eoIored cloth adorned With fringes,
"a amhl? Zoued with the armorial BEAR
I've NJ The prince In whose service they
osv happen to be. This scant costume
H,Iiy reveals their gigantic proportions,
t,air bloated tullness of flesh ana breadth
ri muscle. The princes, their masters,
orc nroud OF them, and lead them up to
ono astonished spectator, who is desired
n inspect them infinitely, to feel the
srmness of their well-rounded muscles,
nnd fo noke and pinch them as be would
nriza animal. So he attempts to grasp
NICE solid arms, and passes his hands
ar enormous necks, which fall in folds
NJ massive flesh like the de wlap of prize
nv. and when one expresses astonish-
want at this wonderful exhibition OF
animal development the monsters give
orunt of gratifieG vanity. As prelimin-
sry to the more serious duties of their
calling, they exhibit feats OF strength;
they run about with heavy sacks of rice,
which some pile on their shoulders,
others lift with their teeth and carry in
tbeIr mouths like dog does basket,
with nf riCQ N
thoir arms, perform ground and lofty
tumbling. When this part of the per-
formance ia at an end, attendants
hurry forward TO cool the monsters with
fans and to clothe them in richly
ornamental robes of the Japanese fash
ion.
complete. or even possible, in which botn
SPECTATORS and performers do not make
several changes OF costume. On the stage
this is a matter of course with actors and
actresses, but IL is also extended to the
audience. Ladies who go TO the play are
accompanied by numerous servants and
a MAGNIFICENT wardrobe, and in the course
Of the spectacle, which sometimes begins
in the morning and does not end until
late at night, they retire several times,
and return in new aud gorgeous attire.
The Wrestlers are first dressed and led
out for show. and then they are undressed
again. and, a space being prepared and a
ring formed, they are divided into two
opposing parties. These two parties
stand in the ring glazing at each other
then they t" - heavily backward and
forward, so as show their points and
enable the spectators to make their bets
After this they retire; and all, with the
exception of two, are again clothed in full
/ L., Ahnf. 4 nA
front seats round the ring. The two who
have been reserved now come forward,
with the simple cloth bound round their
oins, and walk with slow and deliberate
steps into the centre Of the ring. They
stand eyeing each other with a wary look,
gazing with brutal ferocity, each watch
Ing a chance to catch the other off his
guard. And as the savage nature comes
more and more to the surface, they
assume the look and even the movements
Of two wild, fierce bulls. AS they con-
tinue to eye each other, they stamp
heavily on the ground, paving the earth,
rs it we're, with impatlence; and then
they stoop, grasp haDdfuls of earth, and
dsng it with an angry toss over their
backs. Then they crouch low down, still
keeping their eyes fixed one on the other,
and watching each movement; then in a
moment there is sudden spring, great
shock as the massive frames strike one
another, rebound; and then the two
monsters become one monster, with many
limbs, heaving and struggling, with
great muscles rising In distinct outlines,
with bloated faces, and gushes of purple
blood.
Prize fighting and wrestling in Japan
were, and perhaps still are, very much
like what they used to be in England. But
perhaps IN Japan they recognize the ma
ture OF the exhibition more truly than we
no, and it is quite III character with the
rest OF the scene, and alegitimate demon
stration, when one ofthe ANTAGONISTS low
ers his head and rushes at his opponent,
believing like a bull. All the wrestlers
struggle with each other in succession,
and the man who is adjudged to be able
70 give and take most will stand painting
but victorious, and be led of in triumph.
The spectators meanwhile, instead OF
Rlkng slang and looking disreputable like
The frequenters OF English prize fights in
The days gone by, would quietly go home
10 music and poetry and water parties.
In the evening of the same day they
might perhaps be found in the company
OF ladies, sitting by a cool stream
or In shady grove, each with his
book, which might be one OF poetry,
or containing religious and moral
NpOtneRmS