Wrestling in Japan possesses so many points of similarity to the sport as played in the West, no matter whether the style be that of "Cornwall" or "Cumberland", that it is extremely interesting for those who understand the game to watch a tussle between two good men in the Japanese ring. The Japanese Style more nearly approaches that of the French than any other in the West, and as regards the conditions of the men is precisely the same, for the French, as distinguished from the English, put on as much flesh as possible to increase their weight.

    Wrestling in this country has a long list of legends and traditions which professionals narrate with pride. The origin of this athletic sport dates as far back as the reign of Emperor Suijin (about the commencement of the Christian era), when Sukune Aomi, a native of Izumo, and Kuyehapa Taima, of Yamato, were invited to the court for a wrestling match in which the former beat the latter in a most significant manner. Thenceforward Sukune has come to be regarded by succeeding generations of wrestlers as their "patron deity", and even temples have been dedicated to his memory.

    On one occasion during the reign of Kokyoku (642-644A.D.) a wrestling match was held at the Court in honour of the ambassadors dispatched from Korea to this country on a friendly mission. It was about that time that wrestling matches become popular, till 726 A.D. they came to be regularly held in the Court every July. In those days, unlike modern wrestlers the contestants wore a sort of skirt, and a garment called Kariginu (lit. hunting clothes). The umpires donned a rather dignified attire consisting of ceremonial Court uniform and corresponding head-gear, and they carried a bow, which in subsequent ages was changed to a fan. In the twelfth century, when the country was thrown into a state of confusion by internal feuds, the custom of holding wrestling matches at the Palace was suspended until about 1186, when it was restored under the patronage of the reigning Emperor Gotoba. From about the sixteenth century, the patronage of this athletic sport became considerable among All the feudal lords, who took much pride in keeping a retinue of "overfed giants". It was said that from time to time the Shogun caused wrestling matches to be held in the precincts of the Fukiage Garden (now the grounds of the Imperial Palace). Many vivid descriptions of these events from the pens of eminent men of letters in those days, remain in the pages of history, forming exceedingly interesting reading.

    Without trying the patience of our readers with further historical references, let us take them to a wrestling match, say at Ikoin, Tokyo. On approaching the place one will find a high, roughly constructed tower, in which men beat a bass drum from early morning. Why this particular kind of musical instrument is used to announce a wrestling match, is beyond our knowledge. The interior of the enclosure, with stands on all sides and the arena in the centre, presents an exciting spectacle. The arena is a raised sand mound measuring not much over fifteen feet square. Pillars draped in red cloth are set up at the four corners, supporting a roof from whose eaves hang purple curtains. Clean, unpainted oblong-shaped tubs occupy the opposite corners of the arena, besides a little basket filled with salt; and small-cut sheets of white papers are hung from the pillars. First a yobidashi (lit. "one who calls on the wrestlers") summons the contestants in a theatrical tone of voice clearly audible to spectators sitting or standing in the furthest corner of the place. Every wrestler upon entering the arena rinses his mouth with water and then sprinkles salt about him - the proverbial symbols of purification in this country. This being done, he stamps impressively three or four times on the ground presumably to get ready or rather compose himself for the contest. An umpire, dressed in ancient Court costume, takes his position in the arena, and during the contest he moves about the wrestlers, watching their every movement in case of a foul by either man. It is really amusing to watch the excited countenances and unchecked enthusiasm of the spectators gazing at the contest. If victory attends the wrestler in whom they are interested, they throw tobacco pouches, purses, garments, or whatever happens to be nearest within their fetch, as Westerners shower bouquets upon favourite actresses. There are said to be forty eight "falls" in all, based on the four fundamental ones managed respectively by the head, the hands, the coins and the legs. Physically wrestlers are veritable giants, and size is such a consideration to them that every process, especially in the way of diet, is adopted is adopted increase their weight. It is wonderful to what strength their muscles can be hardened by constant practice and training under an able "coach". In the Tokugawa days, when every profession was marked off by caste, it was only in the circle of wrestlers that the iron law of the survival of the fittest was given full play.

    The pay of wrestlers varies, of course, according to the rank they hold in the five classes in which they are divided.

    A first-class wrestler, known as Ozeki, receives about forty yen for performances occupying a term of ten days, and the champion wrestler forty-five. Some novices in the art get only a yen or two for their services, being supported by master-wrestlers under whom they study the art.

    It was in 1753 that programmes of wresting matches were for the first time printed by Jiyemon Negishi, an enterprising merchant in Yedo (now Tokyo). Ever since that time his descendants enjoy the exclusive right of publishing the programmes. It is said that all the written records in connection with wrestling matches in Yedo are preserved in the same family.