Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-08-20

and heavy gold frinSe. The apron worn
this summer blythe Champion is said to,
have cost thousand yeh 600, which is an
enormous price in[Japan-more than an en-
peror would pay for lhiA robes. It was pre-
sented to Yumeaatani by his admirers in
Tokyo at the close of the season Of 1902.
when he won the The funds
to pay for 1t wete raised by popular sub
scription. one Of the leading newspapers
acting as treasurer. II was designed by
famous artist apd done by the most ac-
complished embroiderer in Japan.
Contestants Announced.
After the cerehonies OF presentation are
over, and the champion has had q reason
able opportunity to show his shape, her
aid known as de Yobidashl (caller out)
steps into the arena, and facing the east
and the west by turns drawls out in affect
ed singsong tones the names Of the confess
mands them to come forward. They are al
ready there, squatting on the ground in
row around the platform with the assO-
ciates OF their class and they rise DELHI
seriousness that the eyes and the admiration
OF the audience are with them. When they
reach the center they strike attitudes and
stand like statues while the umpire an
a certain amount Of posturing and showing
on pelore they get down to business. In
stead Of shaking hands, as prize fighters
40. wrestiers dip their fingers into little
ooWIs OF baskets of salt that hang by and
sprinkle 1t upon the ground, which means
'nat they have no malice and win fight fair.
AFTER tnese preliminaries they choose
tneIr positions. stoop, sit on their heels, and
pair Of ROSTERS about to begin a con-
LoNersy. From the moment the umpire
gives the word each watches the other, eve
70 eye. with their noses almost touching.
waitlng Tor a favorable chance to spring.
Ihen. as quick as thought. they grapple
ana tug, and strain, and grunt. twisting.
turning, writhing and hugging each other.
some OF them have the habit of shouting
them are silent and the audience is breath
less with excitement. So still is the arena
that you can almost hear the wrestlers
breathe.
seldom last more than a few seconds, for
the wrestlers are SO powerful and the
strain Is so great that II kept up for even
two or three minutes blood vessel would
be furtdTed or a muscle or tendon torn.
When, as Is often the case, they become
locked in a desperate embrace without any
advantage on either side, and without signs
o: either yielding, the umpire separates
them They obey his orders instantly, for
the rules are very strict. If they should
refuse they would forfeit their places and
rank in their class.
After Each Round.
When they release each other they walk
over to their respective corners, wash out
their mouths with water, wipe their lips
and rub their muscles with pieces of soft
paper which hang in punches from the tent
poles, and otherwise occupy themselves
until they recover their breath. Then the
umpire calls time; replaces the contestants
exactly as they were before. with the ap-
proval of the judges, and the struggle is
renewed. When such deadlocks and sepa-
rations have occurred three times without
either party having secured an advantage a
draw is declared. But this is infrequent.
One or the other of the contestants usually
throws his antagonist. forces him to the
ground. or shoves him outside of the ring
In short meter, and either of these results
terminates the round. Clinched fists are
barred. but wreStlers often. rush at each
OTHER with tremendous force, striking wild
blows upon their bodies with the palms or
the backs of their hands. The sound is like
the discharge of, musketry.
II the foot Of either wrestler touches the
soil outside of the ring, or If any portion
Of his body except the sole of his foot
touches the ground inside of the ring, he
has lost the round. The umpire shouts
something, and the contestants separate.
The victor bows to the judges when his tri-
umph is announced, and then stands silent
while the umpire. holding up his fan to the
pressive manner. The. vanquished has al
ready retired to his dressing tent.
All-Day Performances.
The performances last all day. Mornings
are given up to the young fellows. students
and beginners and they often afford more
than the most accomplished
professionals. Then the members Of the
third class come on. as they are matched,
and after them the members of the second
class, the first class, the heavy weights
and finally, the entertainment of the day
terminates with the appearance of the
champion and the antagonist who has been
selected by lot to meet him. The champion
must wrestle with every member of his
class at every tournament; every member
of every class must meet every other mem
Der of that class. and his rank Is deter
mined by the number of times he throws
his antagonist If he wins every bout in a
he is promoted to the next
class above him. If any member of the
first class wins more bouts during the year
than the champion he succeeds to the
1t is not necessary for him
to yanuuish the champion individually, pro-
yided he wins a larger number Of contests.
Japanese wrestlers violate every law of
hygiene and every rule imposed by trainers
of pugiIists and instructors in athletics in
Europe and America. They are notorious
drunkards and gluttons. They eat enor-
nous quantities of the richest foods; their
appetites are amazing, and they drink gal
Ions of beer, wine and sake daily. l saw in
q Tokyo newspaper the other day an &C
count of a popular wrestler who had drunk
a keg of beer at single sitting. They are
trrao,lar in all their habits vet thew retain