The Japanese claim that the art of wrestling originated in Japan before the Christian era. There are forty-eight formulas by which wrestlers try to bring opponents to earth - a sort of catch-as-catch-can with forty-eight Queensberry rules added. Wrestlers are naked, except for a narrow girdle, and consequently it is not easy to get a "hold."
    The Japanese have about 600 trained wrestlers in the service of the Wrestling association, and in June and January of every year there are great displays at the hall in Tokyo. Beginning at sunrise, the matches continue until the evening, and it is not necessary for a fall to take place before a victory can be claimed.
    On the floor of the amphitheater is a square heap of earth three feet high, and in that square is the wrestling ring, twelve feet in circumference, surrounded by twelve straw bags. Let a wrestler's knee touch the ground or the tip of his little finger go outside of the ring and he has lost the match.
    There are rigidly observed ranks among the wrestlers. All of them go under nicknames, which are bestowed on them by their patrons or chosen by themselves. The highest class is what may be interpreted as the "rope" men. To be raised to this dazzling dignity is a rare event.
    For 200 years there were only fifteen men who enjoyed the distinction, and the power to confer the title is held by an old Japanese family which is said to have been that which initiated the art. Altogether there are five grades of wrestlers, all gladiators, who are eager to try their skill with men trained like themselves.
    They begin the matches by first washing their mouths in a bucketful of water by the side of the ring. No suggestion is made that they bite each other. It is simply a peculiar rule. Then they sit one their haunches, hands on the ground and watch each other. If they feel confident they spring at each other suddenly and hold on to girdle or body. But if one does not wish to start the match and sees his opponent ready for the spring he may call "Not Yet," and they both go and wash their mouths again. There are therefore not many "not yets." - London Standard.